Canada’s immigration system is off to a strong start in 2025, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues its first round of invitations for permanent residency (PR). If you’re in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and looking for your chance at PR, you’ll want to read on about this latest development.
What Happened in the First Draw?
On January 8, 2025, IRCC invited 1,350 candidates who qualified for the Canadian Experience Class program to apply for permanent residence. The draw saw a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 542. This draw stands out not only as the first CEC draw of the year, but also because it follows closely after a PNP draw that took place on January 7. In that draw, 471 candidates were selected, but with a significantly higher CRS score cutoff of 793.
This CEC draw is part of a busy start to 2025’s immigration calendar. Let’s break down some of the numbers from the first two draws of the year:
Summary of 2025 Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
As you can see, while the CEC draw saw a lower CRS score, the PNP draw was a bit more competitive, with a significantly higher score requirement.
What’s Been Going On in Express Entry Lately?
It’s been an interesting few months for Express Entry. In December 2024, the IRCC issued fewer invitations to apply (ITAs) — just 2,561, compared to the 5,000+ ITAs issued in November and October. Fewer draws were also held in December, which led to a slower pace of immigration activity toward the end of the year.
Rest assured, Canada remains eager to welcome new immigrants to help address workforce needs and support its population growth. In fact, the Canadian government’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 has set clear priorities for who should be invited to apply through Express Entry. The focus is on individuals who are already in Canada and those who have the skills needed to fill gaps in the Canadian workforce.
