IRCC invites 400 CEC candidates in recent Express Entry draw

In a recent Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 400 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These individuals were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 to be considered for this particular draw.

This draw comes shortly after another one on October 21, which saw 648 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates being invited. Those candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 791. The back-to-back draws are part of IRCC's recent strategy to hold multiple rounds of invitations every second week. These rounds usually include separate invitations for both PNP and CEC candidates, showcasing IRCC’s commitment to targeting applicants who are already residing and working in Canada as temporary residents.

The focus on these candidates aims to help Canada meet its annual targets for permanent residents as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, while also reducing the number of temporary residents. By inviting candidates from within Canada who are already contributing to the economy, IRCC intends to streamline the process of transitioning temporary residents to permanent ones. This approach supports Canada’s ongoing efforts to fill labour gaps and sustain its economic growth.

The next Immigration Levels Plan is expected to be released by November 1, with projections for the number of permanent residents Canada aims to admit between 2025 and 2027. The current target for 2024 is set at 110,770 permanent residents. However, IRCC still needs to reveal whether this goal has been met.

Those who receive ITAs in the second half of this year are expected to become permanent residents in 2025 due to the IRCC’s standard six-month processing time for Express Entry applications.

Understanding Express Entry: Express Entry is a system used by IRCC to manage applications for three of Canada’s major economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The system operates by assigning each applicant a CRS score, which evaluates factors like age, education, occupation, language skills, and work experience.

Candidates with higher CRS scores are given preference for receiving an ITA in future draws. Those who are nominated by a Canadian province through the PNP receive an additional 600 points, boosting their chances significantly. In PNP-specific draws, the CRS score threshold tends to be higher because of this bonus. Express Entry also rewards candidates for factors like having family in Canada or immigrating with a spouse or partner, which can add extra points to their overall CRS score.

With the highest-scoring candidates receiving ITAs, Express Entry serves as a vital pathway for skilled workers to transition into Canada’s labour market and contribute to its economic needs. The selection process ensures that candidates who are best suited to fill critical labour shortages are prioritized for immigration, reinforcing Canada’s position as a destination for skilled talent from around the world.