Foreign Work Experience Key to Canada Express Entry 2024
Express Entry 2024 Report: Why Foreign Work Experience May Be More Valuable Than Canadian Experience
Every year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) releases a detailed report on the Express Entry system—and the 2024 edition delivers some surprising insights. One of the biggest takeaways? Foreign work experience played a more critical role in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence than Canadian work experience.
Let’s walk through what the numbers tell us, and what this means if you’re planning to apply through Express Entry.
Key Highlights
- Over 34% of Express Entry candidates invited in 2024 had zero Canadian work experience.
- Only 1% of all invited candidates lacked foreign work experience.
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category issued the most ITAs, followed closely by French-language proficiency draws.
- Foreign experience combined with education, language, and age played a major role in high CRS scores.
- India remained the top source country of citizenship for invited candidates, followed by Cameroon and Nigeria.
- French-speaking African countries saw strong growth in invitations due to category-based draws.
Who Got Invited to Apply Through Express Entry in 2024?
The 2024 Express Entry report, released in November 2025, examined the trends across nearly 99,000 ITAs issued last year. While many might assume that Canadian work experience gives candidates the strongest edge, the data showed a more nuanced picture.
More than half of candidates (56%) had two years or less of Canadian work experience. Yet, over one-third of all selected candidates had no Canadian experience at all. What they did have, almost universally, was foreign work experience—proving its value in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
In contrast, candidates who lacked foreign experience largely missed out. Only 1% of those invited had no foreign work experience or less than one year of it. This suggests that foreign experience is a foundational part of a competitive Express Entry profile, especially when paired with language ability, age, education, and other human capital factors.
Breakdown by Program: CEC Leads, but French-Language Draws Gain Ground
IRCC’s efforts to transition temporary residents already in Canada into permanent residents influenced the distribution of ITAs significantly. Here’s how the numbers shook out for 2024:
| Draw Type | Average CRS Cut-off | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 524 | 26,500 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 409 | 23,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 725 | 15,483 |
| General (All-Programs) | 536 | 14,445 |
| Healthcare Occupations | 443 | 10,250 |
| STEM Occupations | 491 | 4,500 |
| Trade Occupations | 435 | 3,600 |
| Transport Occupations | 430 | 975 |
| Agriculture and Agri-food | 437 | 150 |
| Total | 98,903 | |
Notably, the French-language category had the lowest average CRS cut-off at just 409, making it one of the most accessible pathways for eligible candidates. In fact, in 2025, this category has already surpassed last year’s numbers with over 36,000 ITAs issued by early November.
For those applying through the Manitoba PNP or other provincial streams, you’ll notice the average cut-off was significantly higher—at 725 points. PNPs offer a valuable path, but they typically require higher CRS scores and a provincial nomination.
Foreign Experience: A Key Ingredient for Success
While Canadian work experience certainly helped boost CRS scores, it wasn’t always necessary to get selected. In fact, 34% of all ITAs went to candidates with no Canadian work experience at all. What did set them apart was their foreign work history combined with other human capital markers.
Many of these invitations came through category-based draws, such as French-language or occupation-specific rounds, which only require candidates to meet basic work experience thresholds. For example, six months’ experience in a relevant NOC and French proficiency at NCLC 7 could be enough.
That said, general draws and certain federal programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) were less active in 2024. Most invites in those categories came through general draws—where competition is fierce.
What Occupations Were Most Common Among Invitees?
While STEM and healthcare fields were well-represented, many of the top occupations were not on specific targeted lists. This shows that versatile, transferable skills and general eligibility criteria carried more weight than occupation-specific targeting.
Top occupations included:
- Software engineers and designers (3,715 ITAs)
- Food service supervisors (3,608 ITAs)
- Administrative assistants (2,669 ITAs)
- Registered nurses (1,776 ITAs)
- General practitioners (1,841 ITAs)
Interestingly, over 65% of all ITAs in 2024 went to individuals in roles not listed in targeted occupation categories. This reinforces the importance of building a well-rounded profile—even if your job isn’t on a priority list.
Where Were the Invited Candidates From?
Unsurprisingly, most candidates who received ITAs in 2024 were already living in Canada—about 69% of all invitations went to in-country applicants. This aligns with IRCC’s goal to convert temporary residents into permanent ones.
By country of citizenship, India led the way with over 43,000 ITAs—more than four times the next highest, Cameroon. Nigeria, China, and the Philippines rounded out the top five.
Top 5 Countries of Citizenship (2024)
- India: 43,004 ITAs
- Cameroon: 10,141 ITAs
- Nigeria: 6,696 ITAs
- China: 3,689 ITAs
- Philippines: 2,561 ITAs
French-speaking African nations also saw significant gains, thanks to the French-language category draws. Countries like Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire stood out both in terms of residence and citizenship.
Final Thoughts: What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
If you’re planning to apply through Express Entry, the 2024 data offers some helpful guidance:
- Don’t underestimate your foreign work experience. It plays a major role in your CRS score and chances of getting invited.
- Build a balanced profile—language scores, education, and age matter just as much.
- If you’re eligible for a French-language category draw, you may have a faster and easier route.
- Even if your occupation isn’t on a targeted list, you still have a strong shot through general or CEC draws.
Considering Express Entry for your path to permanent residence? Take the time to evaluate your profile and see where you stand in today’s competitive landscape.
Try our Express Entry points calculator or get matched with a licensed immigration expert to start your application journey.
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