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    Canada’s Third Express Entry Draw Of January 2025 Invites 4,000 CEC Candidates

    In its third Express Entry draw of both the month and year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 4,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The draw, conducted on January 23, 2025, required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 527.
    Additionally, candidates must submit their Express Entry profile before 7:06:43 am Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on July 23, 2024.

    Short Details Of The Draws

    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

    Canada’s In-Canada Focus: 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan

    The recently announced 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan highlights Canada’s commitment to economic immigration, with an emphasis on pathways such as Express Entry. Under the “In-Canada Focus” allocation, IRCC aims to welcome 82,890 new permanent residents through the CEC category in 2025. Moreover, the overall allocation for Express Entry landings has increased from 110,770 in 2024 to 124,590 in 2025.
    This rise underscores the growing importance of Express Entry programs for skilled immigrants.
    Conversely, the allocation for PNP landings has been halved—from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025. This shift suggests a strategic realignment in Canada’s immigration priorities, placing greater emphasis on candidates who meet the requirements of Express Entry-managed programs.

    Trends In Express Entry Draws

    Based on the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC is expected to continue prioritizing candidates under two main selection streams:

    1. The “In-Canada Focus” category, which includes CEC and PNP candidates.

    The “Federal Economic Priorities” category, which focuses on:

    French-speaking candidates with advanced language proficiency.

    Skilled trades workers

    With these priorities in place, IRCC aims to welcome over 124,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2025.

    The latter half of 2024 saw a shift in draw patterns, emphasizing invitations to those meeting specific economic priorities. As a result, CEC and PNP candidates have remained at the forefront of invitations issued so far this year.

    Why Express Entry Remains Crucial

    Express Entry remains Canada’s flagship pathway for economic immigration, managing three key programs:
    Despite initial projections that the PNP would surpass Express Entry in prominence, the latter continues to dominate as Canada’s primary system for selecting skilled immigrants. The updated allocations suggest IRCC’s confidence in Express Entry as a streamlined and efficient mechanism for bringing skilled workers to Canada.
    Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with provincial nominations receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

    Summary Of Express Entry Draws In 2025

    Below is a summary of Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2025: 3 draws held, with 5,821 ITAs issued.

    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    333 January 23 CEC 4,000 527
    332 January 8 CEC 1,350 542
    331 January 7 PNP 471 793
    Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    December 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,085 727
    December 03 French language proficiency 800 466
    December 02 Provincial Nominee Program 676 705
    November 20 Healthcare occupations 3000 463
    November 19 Canadian Experience Class 400 539
    November 18 Provincial Nominee Program 174 816
    November 15 French language proficiency (Version 1) 800 478
    November 13 Canadian Experience Class 400 547
    November 12 Provincial Nominee Program 733 812
    October 23 Trade occupations (Version 1) 1,800 433
    October 22 Canadian Experience Class 400 539
    October 21 Provincial Nominee Program 648 791
    October 10 French language proficiency (Version 1) 1,000 444
    October 9 Canadian Experience Class 500 539
    October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743
    September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509
    September 13 French language proficiency (Version 1) 1,000 446
    September 09 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732
    August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507
    August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694
    August 15 French language proficiency (Version 1) 2,000 394
    August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509
    August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690
    July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510
    July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686
    July 18 French language proficiency (Version 1) 1,800 400
    July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515
    July 16 latest PNP-only draw 1,391 670
    July 8 French language proficiency (Version 1) 3,200 420
    July 5 Healthcare occupations Draw (Version 1) 3,750 445
    July 4 Trade occupations (Version 1) 1,800 436
    July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739
    June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663
    May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522
    May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676
    April 24 French language proficiency (2024-1) 1,400 410
    April 23 New Express Entry- General Category Draw 2,095 529
    April 11 STEM Occupations Express Entry Draw 4,500 491
    April 10 General Express Entry Draw 1,280 549
    March 26 French language proficiency 1500 388
    March 25 General Draw 1980 524
    March 13 Transport occupations (2024-1) 975 430
    March 12 General 2850 525
    February 29 French language proficiency (2024-1) 2500 336
    February 28 General Draw 1470 534
    February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437
    February 14 Healthcare Occupations 3500 422
    February 13 General 1,490 535
    February 1 French language proficiency (2023-1) 7,000 365
    January 31 Express Entry General Draw 730 541
    January 23 General Second Express Entry Draw Of 2024 1,040 543
    January 10 General First Express Entry Draw Of 2024 1,510 546
    The table reflects the diversity of draws conducted this year, ensuring opportunities for candidates across various streams.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Draw Date Number of invitations Minimum CRS points Article Title
    330 December 16 1,085 727 Provincial Nominee Program #330
    329 December 03 800 466 French language proficiency #329
    328 December 02 676 705 Provincial Nominee Program #328
    327 November 20 3000 463 Healthcare occupations #327
    326 November 19 400 539 Canadian Experience Class #326
    325 November 18 174 816 Provincial Nominee Program #325
    324 November 15 800 478 French language proficiency (Version 1) #324
    323 November 13 400 547 Canadian Experience Class #323
    322 November 12 733 812 Provincial Nominee Program #322
    321 October 23 1,800 433 Trade occupations (Version 1) #321
    320 October 22 400 539 Canadian Experience Class #320
    319 October 21 648 791 Provincial Nominee Program #319
    318 October 10 1,000 444 French language proficiency (Version 1) #318
    317 October 9 500 539 Canadian Experience Class #317
    316 October 7 1,613 743 Provincial Nominee Program #316
    315 September 19 4,000 509 Canadian Experience Class #315
    314 September 13 1,000 446 French language proficiency (Version 1) #314
    313 September 09 911 732 Provincial Nominee Program #313
    312 August 27 3,300 507 Canadian Experience Class #312
    311 August 26 1,121 694 Provincial Nominee Program #311
    310 August 15 2,000 394 French language proficiency (Version 1) #310
    309 August 14 3,200 509 Canadian Experience Class #309
    308 August 13 763 690 Provincial Nominee Program #308
    307 July 31 5,000 510 Canadian Experience Class #307
    306 July 30 964 686 Provincial Nominee Program #306
    305 July 18 1,800 400 French language proficiency (Version 1) #305
    304 July 17 6,300 515 Canadian Experience Class #304
    303 July 16 1,391 670 latest PNP-only draw #303
    302 July 8 3,200 420 French language proficiency (Version 1) Draw #302
    301 July 5 3,750 445 Healthcare occupations (Version 1) Draw #301
    300 July 4 1,800 436 Latest Express Entry Trade occupations (Version 1) Draw #300
    299 July 2 920 739 Latest Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program Draw #299
    298 June 19 1499 663 Latest Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program Draw #298
    297 May 31 3,000 522 Latest Express Entry Draw Canadian Experience Class Applicants to Canada #297
    296 April 24 1400 410 Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Draw #296
    295 April 24 1400 410 French language proficiency (2024-1) Express Entry Draw #295
    294 April 23 2095 529 General Category Express Entry Draw #294
    293 April 11 4,500 491 STEM Occupations Express Entry Draw #293
    292 April 10 1280 549 General Express Entry Draw #292
    291 March 26 1500 388 lowest CRS Score 388 – Latest Express Entry Draw #291
    290 March 25 1,980 524 lowest CRS Score 524 – Latest Express Entry Draw #290
    289 March 13 975 430 lowest CRS Score – Latest Express Entry Draw #289
    288 March 12 2850 525 Latest Express Entry Draw #288 – lowest CRS Score
    287 February 29 2500 336 French language proficiency (2024-1) Latest Express Entry Draw Today #287 – lowest CRS Score
    286 February 28 1470 534 General 1,470 Invited in Latest Express Entry General Draw
    285 February 16 150 437 Agriculture and agri-food occupations (2023-1) Canada invites 150 Express Entry candidates for agriculture and agri-food workers
    284 February 14 3500 422 Healthcare occupations (2023-1) Express Entry Healthcare draw
    283 February 13 1490 535 General Draw latest Express Entry General Draw
    282 February 1 7,000 365 French language proficiency (2023-1) Express Entry Latest Draw French language proficiency (2023-1)
    281 January 31 730 541 All Program Express Entry Latest Draw
    280 January 23 1,040 543 All Program Second Express Entry Draw Of 2024
    279 January 10 1,510 546 All Program First Express Entry Draw Of 2024

    How Candidates Can Boost Their CRS Scores

    Success in the Express Entry system is largely determined by a candidate’s CRS score, which evaluates factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. For prospective applicants looking to enhance their chances of receiving an ITA, the following strategies are recommended:

    Additionally, Express Entry aligns with certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), allowing provinces to nominate candidates for permanent residency through an enhanced PNP process.

    Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with provincial nominations receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

    A Gateway for Economic Immigration Record-Breaking Targets for 2025

    Express Entry is poised to play a pivotal role in Canada’s immigration strategy this year. According to the latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC aims to welcome 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry programs in 2025. This ambitious target underscores the system’s importance as the largest pathway for economic immigration.

    To address labor market needs, IRCC has introduced category-based selections in Express Entry draws. These categories target candidates with specific skills, occupations, or language abilities, such as:

    What Happens After Receiving An ITA?

    Once a candidate receives an ITA, they must submit their PR application within 60 days. IRCC aims to process applications within six months. If successful, candidates will receive PR status and must complete their landing in Canada to officially become permanent residents.
    For candidates exploring Canadian immigration, programs like Express Entry offer unparalleled opportunities to achieve permanent residency and contribute to Canada’s dynamic economy and diverse communities.

    A Look Ahead

    As IRCC continues to adapt its immigration strategies to meet labor market demands, candidates in the Express Entry pool are encouraged to improve their profiles proactively. The increased allocations for Express Entry in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan signal a bright future for skilled workers aspiring to make Canada their permanent home.
    The next Express Entry draws are highly anticipated, given the ongoing adjustments in immigration policies. Candidates are advised to monitor updates closely and take the necessary steps to stay competitive in the pool.
    With the January 23 draw, IRCC has once again demonstrated its commitment to selecting candidates who are well-positioned to contribute to Canada’s economy and society. For those eligible under the Express Entry system, this remains a prime opportunity to achieve their Canadian immigration goals.

    Is it Worth Moving to Canada in 2025?

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