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IRCC Conducts Another Express Entry Draw, Invites CEC Candidates
Canada’s immigration system continues to welcome skilled workers as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts another round of Express Entry invitations. In its latest draw, IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream.
To be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521 and must have created their Express Entry profile on or before November 14, 2024, at 2:52:14 am UTC.
Express Entry Draws List of 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| 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 |
A Busy Week for Express Entry Draws
This marks the second Express Entry draw of the week. Just a few days earlier, on February 4, IRCC held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw, inviting 455 candidates under enhanced PNP streams.
The latest draws reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled professionals who meet labor market demands.
Express Entry Trends and Future Invitations
In January 2025, IRCC invited a total of 5,821 candidates through the CEC and enhanced PNP streams. This pattern aligns with Canada’s long-term immigration strategy, which prioritizes:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates under the newly introduced “In-Canada Focus” category
Category-based selection candidates, including healthcare professionals, skilled trades workers, and French-speaking candidates, under the “Federal Economic Priorities” category
With these priority categories, Canada plans to welcome over 124,000 new permanent residents in 2025 through Express Entry.
Understanding Express Entry vs. PNP
Canada offers multiple immigration pathways at both federal and provincial levels. Here’s how they compare:
Express Entry: The federal government’s system for managing skilled worker applications. It includes three main programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – for candidates with Canadian work experience
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – for skilled professionals with foreign work experience
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – for trade workers in high-demand occupations
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each province and territory runs its own immigration programs to meet local workforce needs. These programs fall into two categories:
- Base PNPs: Candidates apply directly to a province and, if nominated, submit a separate application for permanent residence.
- Enhanced PNPs: Candidates already in the Express Entry pool can receive a provincial nomination, adding 600 CRS points to their score—practically guaranteeing an invitation in the next round.
Canada’s Immigration Outlook
The latter half of 2024 saw a shift toward priority-based selections, a trend that will continue into 2025. By combining federal and provincial immigration programs, Canada ensures that skilled workers not only meet economic needs but also integrate successfully into communities across the country.
Aspiring immigrants should stay informed and regularly check their CRS scores to seize new opportunities in future draws.