Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has kickstarted 2025 by issuing 1,350 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of the Express Entry system. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542 to qualify in this first CEC-specific draw of the year.
The draw, held on January 8, marks the second Express Entry invitation round for 2025; the first took place just a day prior on January 7, targeting candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). That draw invited 471 candidates with a significantly higher CRS cut-off of 793.
This early activity points to a more dynamic rhythm for 2025, especially considering that December 2024 saw a relatively modest total of 2,561 ITAs issued across all categories. Express Entry draws in 2024 had fluctuated, with some months, like March, featuring large category-based invitations for French-speaking candidates. March 21, for example, witnessed a draw of 7,500 ITAs at a record-low CRS score of 379.
The Express Entry program continues to select candidates through multiple pathways, including the CEC, PNP-aligned draws, and category-based selections—such as healthcare, trades, education, and French-language proficiency. The consistent use of these targeted draws aligns with Canada’s strategic immigration goals: addressing acute labor shortages and bolstering demographic stability.
Under the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC is prioritizing applicants already in Canada via the ‘In-Canada Focus’ stream, which emphasizes the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs. Alongside this, the ‘Federal Economic Priorities’ stream enables category-based selection for candidates with the specific professional or linguistic skills needed in Canada’s job market.
Notably, healthcare and social services professionals, educators, and French-speaking applicants remain key groups for selection under these targeted categories. This reflects Canada’s emphasis on attracting talent that can immediately contribute to the country’s workforce and community infrastructure.
Upcoming Express Entry draws are expected to continue balancing general invitation rounds with highly strategic, category-specific invitations to meet evolving immigration priorities.
With 2025 now underway, prospective immigrants—particularly those already residing in Canada—are encouraged to ensure their Express Entry profiles remain up to date to take advantage of upcoming draws.
Maple News will be tracking and reporting on all future Express Entry invitations as they unfold.