Canada conducts its first CEC immigration draw of the year

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has kickstarted the year with back-to-back Express Entry draws, providing an encouraging start for aspiring immigrants. The latest draw, held on January 8, invited 1,350 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program to apply for permanent residency (PR). Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542 to qualify for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

This draw follows closely behind the year's first draw on January 7, which was exclusively for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. That round saw 471 invitations issued to individuals with a minimum CRS score of 793. Together, these two draws mark a busy week for the Express Entry system, a contrast to December’s slower pace, where fewer than 2,600 ITAs were issued.

The recent draws show IRCC's ongoing focus on addressing Canada’s labor market needs and demographic goals. Here’s a summary of this week's results:

• January 8: CEC Draw – 1,350 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 542
• January 7: PNP Draw – 471 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 793

Compared to the final quarter of 2024, which often saw more than 5,000 ITAs issued in single draws, the numbers for December and early January are more conservative, signaling a potentially refined approach for 2025.

IRCC has outlined its priorities for the year through the Express Entry system. Under the recently announced Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, the department is focusing on candidates who align with Canada’s economic goals. These include professionals already in Canada or those with skills in high-demand sectors like healthcare and trades. French-language proficiency also remains a top criterion.

This year’s category-based selections will prioritize:

1. Healthcare Occupations
2. Trades Occupations
3. French-Language Proficiency

While these groups take precedence, IRCC has confirmed that candidates from all six original Express Entry categories will remain eligible for selection.

Introduced a decade ago, Express Entry is a streamlined immigration management system that processes applications for three key economic programs:

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

Additionally, candidates from PNPs can enter the Express Entry pool through enhanced nominations, offering a pathway for those aligned with provincial needs.

The process begins when individuals submit an online profile and receive a CRS score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills. Candidates who meet the cut-off in a particular draw receive an ITA and have 60 days to apply for permanent residency.

IRCC aims to welcome 124,680 new immigrants through Express Entry in 2025, making it the largest pathway to Canadian immigration.