On 8 January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the 2nd Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 1,350 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 542, which was slightly higher than the cutoff score for the previous CEC-specific draw held on 19 November 2024, which was 539.
The Canadian Experience Class serves as a cornerstone of Canada’s Express Entry system, tailored specifically for skilled professionals who have gained valuable work experience within the country and aspire to secure permanent residency.
To qualify for the CEC, applicants must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years, meet language proficiency requirements in English or French, and fulfill health and security checks.
The tie-breaking rule for this draw was applied to profiles submitted before 7 December 2024 at 01:10:06 UTC. This means that candidates with a CRS score of 542 who submitted their profiles before this date and time received invitations.
As of 8 January 2025, the distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool was as follows:
This draw marked a positive start to 2025 after a pause in CEC draws during December 2024. It also comes amidst announcements of upcoming changes to Express Entry, including the removal of arranged employment points in spring 2025. This could influence future CRS scores.
Candidates hoping to improve their chances are encouraged to retake language tests to increase their scores or seek provincial nominations, which add 600 points to their CRS score.
Express Entry remains a key route for skilled workers to achieve Canadian permanent residency. Staying updated with official announcements is crucial for success in this process.