Canada Kicks Off 2025 Express Entry Draws with Canadian Experience Class Invitation
Canada has begun the new year with its first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, issuing 1,350 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 542.
This CEC draw is the second of the week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held on January 7, 2025. The PNP draw invited 471 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 793. The draw comes after a relatively quiet December for Express Entry, with fewer ITAs issued than in previous months.
Breakdown of Recent Express Entry Draws
The following table summarizes the Express Entry draws for early January 2025:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 471 | 793 |
In comparison, December 2024 saw fewer ITAs issued—only 2,561—due to a reduced number of draws. This is a significant drop compared to the more than 5,000 ITAs issued in both October and November 2024.
Shifts in Express Entry Patterns for 2025
The IRCC’s most recent Immigration Levels Plan shows that Canada will continue to focus its immigration efforts on candidates already in Canada. The priority is to meet the country’s labor market needs and demographic goals. This strategy emphasizes selecting candidates from the following categories:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Enhanced Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- French-language proficiency candidates
Additionally, the 2025 plan introduces category-based selections, giving priority to candidates in specific occupations:
- Healthcare occupations
- Trades occupations
- French-language proficiency
The IRCC has stated that while these categories will be prioritized, there is no indication that draws for the remaining categories will be halted.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an immigration management system designed to streamline the application process for permanent residency in Canada. It manages three main economic immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
It also includes a component for enhanced PNPs, where candidates nominated by a province can be selected through the Express Entry system.
Introduced in 2015, the system uses a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates. The system selects individuals who score highest based on factors like age, work experience, language proficiency, and education.
How Express Entry Works
Express Entry operates on a candidate-based model. Prospective immigrants first submit their profile to the system. If eligible, candidates are given a CRS score and entered into the pool. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws, such as the one held on January 8.
Once an invitation is received, candidates have 60 days to submit a full application for permanent residency. If the application is approved, candidates will gain permanent resident status in Canada, allowing them to live, work, and settle in the country.
In 2025, Express Entry is expected to remain one of the largest pathways for immigrants, with the Canadian government planning to welcome 124,680 newcomers under this program.
Looking Forward
As 2025 unfolds, prospective immigrants hoping to apply through Express Entry should be aware of the continued focus on labor market needs and the introduction of priority categories for certain occupations. Applicants should also be prepared for an ongoing competition, as the number of ITAs issued fluctuates based on immigration targets and other strategic priorities.
For now, candidates in the CEC and PNP pools should monitor future draws closely for opportunities to receive an invitation and take the next step in their journey toward Canadian permanent residence.
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