Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third Express Entry draw of the year, inviting 4,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence. The draw took place on January 23, 2025, and required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 527. Eligible candidates must have submitted their Express Entry profiles prior to 7:06:43 AM UTC on July 23, 2024.
This draw reinforces IRCC’s ongoing focus on selecting candidates currently residing in Canada, particularly those with Canadian work experience. The draw is part of the department’s broader “In-Canada Focus” strategy, as outlined in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Under this plan, the government aims to welcome 82,890 new permanent residents through Canada-managed Express Entry pathways in 2025.
This is the third Canadian Experience Class-specific draw of the year, following others held on January 8 and February 5. The increased frequency and volume of CEC draws indicate IRCC’s commitment to streamlining immigration for those already integrated into the Canadian workforce and society.
The Express Entry system remains a central gateway for skilled worker immigration to Canada. Despite forecasts that Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations might surpass Express Entry in prominence, 2025 draws so far show that Express Entry continues to dominate the landscape of economic immigration.
Recent Express Entry draws have included candidates from a wide array of categories, including healthcare, education, provincial nomination, and French language proficiency. Notable past invitations included 7,500 candidates in a French-language draw on March 21 and 1,000 professionals in education on May 1.
To improve their CRS score, applicants can focus on enhancing their language proficiency in English or French, obtaining higher education credentials, gaining Canadian or international work experience, receiving a provincial nomination, or obtaining a certificate of qualification in a trade. These factors collectively contribute to a more competitive CRS profile.
Express Entry encompasses three primary programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Among them, CEC is designed for temporary foreign workers or international students who have gained at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
With Canada targeting record-high permanent residence admissions and implementing category-based draws, candidates with in-demand skills and Canadian ties remain highly favoured in the selection process. IRCC is expected to maintain this momentum with more frequent and targeted draws in the coming months.
Maple News continues to monitor developments in Canadian immigration, including changes to eligibility, draw patterns, and processing trends that affect skilled workers, international students, and foreign professionals looking to establish their futures in Canada.