Canada Extends Invitations to 4,000 Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
In its third draw of the year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited an additional 4,000 candidates from the Express Entry pool, specifically targeting those under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
To qualify for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 527 and had to have submitted their Express Entry profile by 7:06:43 am Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on July 23, 2024.
This latest draw comes on the heels of a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7, followed by another CEC draw on January 8. IRCC has indicated that it will continue to hold CEC-focused draws in the future, as outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. According to this plan, 82,890 new immigrants will be welcomed under this allocation in 2025.
Overview of Express Entry Draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 471 | 793 |
How to Increase Your CRS Score
The CRS is used to assess candidates based on factors such as:
- Core human capital factors (age, education, work experience)
- Skill transferability (skills that could be useful in the Canadian labor market)
- Spouse or common-law partner factors
- Additional factors like provincial nominations or job offers
To boost your CRS score, candidates can focus on strategies such as:
- Gaining additional education or upgrading existing qualifications
- Improving language proficiency in English or French (with bonus points for fluency in both languages)
- Accumulating more work experience, either in Canada or abroad
- Receiving a provincial nomination
- Acquiring a Canadian trade certification if applicable, which can be especially helpful when combined with language skills
For a more precise understanding of your CRS score and how to improve it, using an online CRS calculator can provide a clearer picture.
Why Express Entry Remains Crucial for Canadian Immigration
Though the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was originally expected to take a larger share of the immigration allocation in 2024, Express Entry remains Canada’s dominant pathway for skilled economic immigrants. In the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the Express Entry allocation has been increased, with 124,590 new immigrants expected to arrive in Canada through this system in 2025, up from 110,770 in 2024.
Meanwhile, the PNP allocation will see a significant reduction, with landings dropping from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025. As a result, Express Entry programs are expected to issue more ITAs to meet these higher targets.
These developments underscore the continued importance of Express Entry as a primary immigration route for skilled workers looking to start a new life in Canada.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
