Draw #293

Express Entry draw #293 was held on April 11, 2024, issuing 4,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the STEM occupations category with a minimum CRS score of 491.

The CRS cutoff rose 10 points from the previous STEM occupations draw, indicating higher competition among candidates in this category. The number of invitations decreased by 1,400 compared to the previous round.

A cutoff of 491 is in the typical range for STEM occupations draws. Candidates with a combination of youth, a master's degree, and strong language scores would generally clear this threshold.

STEM occupation draws focus on candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics occupations to address skilled labour shortages.

Candidates below this cutoff should consider strategies like improving language scores, obtaining a provincial nomination, or gaining Canadian work experience to close the gap.