IRCC Holds Second Express Entry Draw of the Week, Invites More CEC Candidates

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an Express Entry draw focused on candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This marks the second Express Entry draw of the week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held on February 4, which invited 455 PNP candidates.

CEC Draw Details
The latest CEC draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. Candidates also needed to have created their Express Entry profiles on or before November 14, 2024.

Trends in Express Entry Draws
IRCC’s recent draws suggest a focus on certain priority categories, as outlined in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan. The federal government’s approach is geared toward:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates through the newly established “In-Canada Focus” category.
• Category-based selection candidates—such as healthcare professionals, trades workers, and French-speaking individuals—via the “Federal Economic Priorities” category.

In 2025, IRCC aims to welcome over 124,000 new permanent residents under these categories, aligning draws to meet these immigration goals.

Understanding the Difference: Express Entry vs. PNPs
Express Entry is Canada’s primary federal immigration system and includes three main pathways:

1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

In contrast, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are run by individual provinces and territories, allowing them to address their unique labor market and demographic needs. PNPs can be either “base” (operating independently of Express Entry) or “enhanced” (aligned with the Express Entry system). Enhanced PNPs let provinces nominate candidates directly from the Express Entry pool, and candidates receiving a provincial nomination gain an additional 600 CRS points—practically guaranteeing an ITA in a future draw.

Conclusion
With IRCC holding regular draws that target specific candidate categories, Express Entry continues to be a central component of Canada’s immigration strategy. Whether through CEC or PNP pathways, eligible candidates should ensure their profiles are up to date and consider how to boost their CRS scores to improve their chances in upcoming draws.