Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system on September 14, in a draw specifically targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Applicants invited in this round had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 462 and now have 60 days to submit their permanent residence applications.
This draw marks the first CEC-specific selection in September and came unexpectedly after a slight break in IRCC’s typical schedule. Traditionally, CEC draws are held one day after Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, which usually occur on Wednesdays. However, the expected CEC draw on September 2 did not happen, making this latest round a surprise—taking place a day before the next anticipated PNP draw.
IRCC continues to prioritize applicants already residing in Canada, particularly those under the CEC, as part of its strategy to meet 2021 immigration targets amid ongoing global travel restrictions. The department has reallocated its resources to efficiently process applications submitted earlier this year, focusing predominantly on CEC candidates.
CEC applicants must have at least one year of full-time skilled work experience gained in Canada, making them strong contenders for fast-track permanent residency. Since they are already integrated into the Canadian labor market, IRCC views them as crucial to supporting the country’s economic recovery.
So far in 2021, IRCC has significantly ramped up its invitation numbers—nearly doubling year-over-year compared to 2020. This push increases the likelihood of achieving its goal of welcoming 108,500 newcomers through Express Entry by the end of the year.
The minimum CRS scores fluctuate based on which category is targeted. CEC-only draws usually result in lower cut-off scores since candidates are not competing against those in broader federal programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Larger draw sizes also distribute invitations more broadly, helping drive cut-offs down.
According to Maple News, the latest CEC draw underlines Canada’s continued emphasis on candidates who already hold Canadian work experience as the country works to address immigration backlogs and economic skill shortages simultaneously.