Canada Holds First CEC Draw of the New Year

Canada recently conducted its first Express Entry draw of 2025. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that 1,350 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These ITAs were given to applicants who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542.

🗓 Details of the First Express Entry Draw in 2025

This draw was the second of the week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7, where 471 candidates with a minimum CRS of 793 were invited. The January 8 draw marked the first CEC-specific draw of 2025, following a relatively quiet month for Express Entry in December.

Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025:

🔁 Express Entry Trends from 2024

In December 2024, IRCC issued only 2,561 ITAs, fewer than in October and November, where over 5,000 ITAs were issued across six draws.

IRCC followed a focused approach to selecting candidates from these key programs:

• • • • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

      • Enhanced PNPs (aligned with Express Entry)

      • French-language proficiency category

🎯 Immigration Priorities in 2025

In its 2025 immigration levels plan, Canada is prioritizing applicants who:

• • • • Are already in Canada

      • Have Canadian work experience

      • Possess strong language skills

This makes programs like CEC and enhanced PNPs critical to achieving Canada’s labor and demographic goals.

🇨🇦 Express Entry’s Key Priorities in 2025

According to the plan, IRCC is targeting the following sectors:

• • • • Healthcare occupations

      • Technical professions

      • French-speaking candidates

Further updates on other selection categories are still pending.

🔍 What is the Express Entry System?

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship system for managing economic immigration applications. It covers three main programs:

1. 1. 1. 1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

         2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

         3. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Candidates from enhanced PNP streams may also be selected via Express Entry.

⚙️ How Express Entry Works

1. 1. 1. 1. Candidates create an online profile.

         2. If eligible for one of the three programs, their profile is scored using the CRS.

         3. Top-ranked candidates receive an ITA in a draw.

         4. Once invited, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application.

         5. Upon approval, they become Permanent Residents (PRs) and can live and work in Canada.

🔮 Future of Express Entry in 2025

Canada aims to welcome 124,590 new immigrants through Express Entry in 2025, as part of its 2025–2027 immigration levels plan. Express Entry will remain the primary economic immigration pathway, with evolving priorities and selection criteria.

✅ Conclusion

Express Entry in 2025 continues to evolve with Canada’s shifting economic and labor market needs. Qualified candidates should remain up to date with the latest trends and ensure their profiles align with current immigration priorities to improve their chances of receiving an ITA.