Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile on or before November 14, 2024, at 2:52:14 AM UTC.
This is the second Express Entry draw of the week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on February 4, which invited 455 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 802.
Express Entry Draw Summary – 2025
| Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| Feb 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| Jan 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| Jan 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| Jan 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
In January 2025, IRCC issued a total of 5,821 ITAs through the CEC and PNP pathways, reflecting Canada’s immigration priorities for the year.
Trends in Express Entry Draws
According to Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, most Express Entry invitations in 2025 will be focused on:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates through the newly introduced “In-Canada Focus” category.
Category-based selection candidates, including healthcare workers, skilled trades professionals, and French-speaking candidates, under the “Federal Economic Priorities” category.
Together, these categories aim to welcome over 124,000 new permanent residents in 2025.
Express Entry vs. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Both the federal and provincial governments manage immigration programs in Canada. While the federal government oversees Express Entry, individual provinces and territories run their own PNPs to meet regional labor market needs.
Express Entry Streams:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
PNPs can be categorized as:
Base PNPs – Candidates apply directly to a province, receive a nomination, and then apply for permanent residence (PR) through IRCC.
Enhanced PNPs (Express Entry-Aligned) – Candidates in the Express Entry pool can receive a provincial nomination, which boosts their CRS score by 600 points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA in the next draw.
With Express Entry and PNPs working together, Canada continues to shape its immigration system to attract skilled talent and meet economic demands across the country.
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