IRCC Announces First CEC Express Entry Draw Of 2025
More Invitations to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence!
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again opened the doors for more people to apply for permanent residency (PR) through its Express Entry system. Recently, the IRCC issued 1,350 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, with a minimum CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score of 542. This is the second round of invitations this week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7, 2025.
A Quick Look at the Previous Draws
The January 7 PNP draw invited 471 candidates, but the score requirement was much higher, at 793 CRS points. This draw was the first of the year and follows a quieter month in December. Compared to the previous months of November and October, when the IRCC invited over 5,000 people through six draws, December saw fewer ITAs issued (only 2,561) and fewer draws held.
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
What’s Behind the Trends in Express Entry?
Throughout 2024, the IRCC focused on inviting candidates from three key programs:
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Enhanced Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- The French-language proficiency category
Looking ahead, the IRCC’s 2025 Immigration Levels Plan reveals that they will prioritize candidates who are already in Canada and those with skills that align with the country’s labor needs. This includes professionals with strong language skills or experience that match Canada’s labor market and demographic goals.
A New Focus for 2025
In 2025, the IRCC has updated its focus for category-based selections, prioritizing the following groups:
- Healthcare professionals
- Skilled trades workers
- Individuals with French-language proficiency
However, it’s important to note that the IRCC has not announced an end to the draws for other categories. These three priority groups are simply at the top of the list for 2025, with all six original categories still being considered.
What is Express Entry and How Does it Work?
Express Entry is a system that helps manage immigration to Canada under three key programs:
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Additionally, candidates can also be nominated through enhanced PNPs. Introduced in 2023, category-based selections allow for a more targeted approach, focusing on candidates with specific skills, like healthcare, trades, or French language abilities.
In 2025, Express Entry will likely become the largest immigration pathway to Canada, with the IRCC aiming to welcome 124,680 new immigrants in total. This means more opportunities than ever for skilled professionals to build a life in Canada.
How Express Entry Works
- Submit Your Profile: Candidates must create a profile and submit it to the Express Entry pool.
- Get Scored: Profiles are ranked using the CRS, based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills.
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you rank high enough, you’ll receive an ITA.
- Apply for PR: You have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
- Receive PR: If your application is approved, you’ll be granted PR status and can live, work, and settle in Canada for good.
The process is designed to be efficient, but it’s essential to stay informed about the latest trends and priorities within the Express Entry system to increase your chances of success.
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).
