First CEC Draw of the Year Announced by Canada

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited more candidates to apply for permanent residence (PR) via the Express Entry system. In the latest draw, 1,350 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542.

This draw marks the second round of invitations this week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7. That earlier draw invited 471 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 793 and was the first of the year, occurring after a relatively slower December for Express Entry.

Latest Draw Details 

• Draw Date: January 8, 2025
• Draw Type: Canadian Experience Class  
• Number of Invitations: 1,350
• Minimum CRS Score Required: 542

Express Entry Draws List

Overview of Express Entry

Express Entry, established a decade ago, manages economic immigration programs, including:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Additionally, enhanced PNPs allow provinces to nominate candidates through the Express Entry system, a process known as “enhanced nomination”.

In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selections to better target candidates with specific professional skills or French-language abilities.

By 2025, Express Entry will become the primary pathway for immigration to Canada, with IRCC planning to welcome 124,680 newcomers under the program that year, as outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

How Express Entry Works

The Express Entry system operates on a two-stage process:

• Candidate Stage: Eligible individuals submit their profiles, which are assessed and scored using CRS criteria. Successful candidates enter the Express Entry pool.

• Applicant Stage: Selected candidates receive an ITA and have 60 days to submit their complete PR application to IRCC. Upon approval, they achieve PR status and can settle in Canada permanently.

Express Entry has become a streamlined, efficient pathway for skilled immigrants to gain Canadian permanent residence and contribute to the country’s workforce and economy.

Trends in Express Entry Draws

In December, IRCC issued 2,561 ITAs, a significant drop compared to November and October, which saw more than 5,000 ITAs issued over six draws.

Throughout last year, IRCC followed a consistent pattern of issuing ITAs to candidates from specific programs, including:

• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
• Enhanced PNPs (aligned with Express Entry), and
• French-language proficiency categories.

According to IRCC’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, the focus has been on inviting candidates already in Canada or those with skills to address the country’s labor market needs. This “In-Canada Focus” allocation prioritizes CEC and PNP candidates. Additionally, the “Federal Economic Priorities” allocation targets applicants who meet labor market and demographic objectives through category-based selection.

Priorities for 2025

In 2025, IRCC will prioritize candidates from the following categories under Express Entry:

• Healthcare occupations,
• Trades occupations, and
• French-language proficiency.

While these categories are emphasized, IRCC has not discontinued draws for other groups within the Express Entry system, leaving all six original categories open.

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