IRCC Announces First Express Entry Draw of 2025

January 8, 2025

Ishita Soni

IRCC’s Latest Express Entry Draw

Exciting news from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)! The department has issued even more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Express Entry draw.

A total of 471 ITAs were handed out, targeting candidates with a minimum CRS score of 793. This marks the first draw of the year, following a series of draws in December that focused on PNP candidates and French-language proficiency.

IRCC’s Priorities for 2025

According to the latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC will focus on two major categories for the year ahead:

1. Federal Economic Priorities: This includes candidates with French-language proficiency or professional experience in healthcare and trades occupations.
2. In-Canada Focus: This category covers CEC and PNP candidates (and possibly other Express Entry programs), with the majority of the 124,680 admissions expected to come from these groups.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re looking to increase your chances of getting an ITA, focusing on improving your French language skills, gaining experience in healthcare or trades, or securing a provincial nomination could be your best bets. 2025 will likely be another year where these categories lead the way for Express Entry invitations. Keep your profile updated and stay ready for the next draw!

Tips to Improve Your CRS Score for Future Draws

Don’t get discouraged if your score wasn’t high enough this time around. There are many ways you can enhance your CRS profile and improve your chances of getting invited next time. Here’s how:

1. Boost Your Language Proficiency

Your language skills play a crucial role in your CRS score. By improving your IELTS, CELPIP (English), or TEF, TCF (French) test results, you can climb the CRS ladder quickly. Pro tip: If you’re bilingual (English and French), you can earn extra points for your French skills, giving you an edge over other candidates!

2. Advance Your Education

Did you just complete a new qualification? Whether it’s a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree, adding more education can earn you valuable CRS points. Remember to update your Express Entry profile with any new credentials to make sure you claim all the points you deserve!

3. Gain Canadian Work Experience

The more Canadian work experience you have, the better! By working longer in Canada, your CRS score can significantly increase. Don’t forget to keep proper documentation of your work experience, as it can directly impact your score.

4. Secure a Provincial Nomination

One of the best ways to boost your CRS score is by obtaining a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination. A PNP nomination adds 600 points to your score, practically ensuring you’ll receive an ITA in the next draw. To increase your chances, explore which provinces offer PNP streams suited to your skills and qualifications.

5. Obtain a Valid Job Offer

Having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer can give your CRS score a big boost – up to 200 points! If your job offer is backed by an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), it’s even more valuable.

6. Maximize Spousal Points

If you have a spouse, their skills and experience can also contribute to your CRS score. If your spouse has strong language abilities, higher education, or Canadian work experience, be sure to include these details in your profile to gain extra points.

7. Keep Your Profile Updated

Your Express Entry profile is only valid for one year. It’s important to keep it up-to-date. This way, if there are any changes in your qualifications or circumstances, you can make sure you don’t miss out on any extra CRS points.

Why CEC Candidates Should Stay Optimistic

The good news doesn’t stop here! With Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) focusing on transitioning temporary residents to permanent residents, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws will continue to play a key role in Canada’s immigration strategy.

While the CRS cutoff can be competitive, there are plenty of opportunities for CEC candidates to get their ITA. With improvements to your language skills, added qualifications, or a PNP nomination, your chances of success are looking great!

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).

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