Canada’s IRCC Issues 4,000 CEC Invitations; Express Entry Remains the Primary Economic Immigration Pathway
1. Latest CEC Invitation: 4,000 Candidates Selected
On January 23, IRCC conducted the latest round of Express Entry invitations for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA). Unlike previous rounds, this time the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was set at 527, requiring candidates to have submitted their Express Entry profiles by 7:06:43 AM UTC on July 23, 2024, to be eligible for an invitation.
This invitation closely follows the January 7 draw for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (471 invitations, minimum CRS 793) and the January 8 draw for the CEC (1,350 invitations, minimum CRS 542). This demonstrates the IRCC’s increased focus on CEC candidates recently. According to the “In-Canada Focus” section of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC aims to admit 82,890 new immigrants through this pathway in 2025.
2. Overview of 2025 Express Entry Invitations
The details of the three Express Entry invitation rounds conducted in 2025 are as follows:
| Date | Invitation Category | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4000 | 527 |
| January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1350 | 542 |
| January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
3. How to Increase Your CRS Score
The CRS evaluates candidates based on several factors, including:
- Core human capital factors (e.g., age, education, language proficiency, etc.);
- Skill transferability factors;
- Spouse or common-law partner factors;
- Additional points (e.g., provincial nomination, French language proficiency, etc.).
For prospective immigrants aiming to secure an ITA through the Express Entry system, the following steps can help improve CRS scores:
- Enhance educational qualifications to achieve a higher degree;
- Improve English or French language proficiency (bilingual skills earn additional points);
- Gain additional work experience in Canada or elsewhere;
- Obtain a provincial nomination (PNP);
- (If applicable) Acquire a trade certification from a Canadian province, which can earn higher points when combined with language skills.
Note that if applicants are applying with a spouse or common-law partner, the scoring criteria may vary slightly.
You can calculate their CRS scores for free to understand how to strategically plan improvements.
4. Continued Importance of Express Entry in 2025
The IRCC has adjusted the allocation of quotas for major economic categories in its 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, ensuring that the Express Entry program retains its leading role.
According to the newly announced immigration targets, the allocation for Express Entry will increase from 110,770 in 2024 to 124,590 in 2025. Meanwhile, the PNP quota will decrease sharply from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025. This significant difference indicates:
- The number of ITAs issued under the PNP category will decline in 2025;
- The Express Entry system will need to issue more ITAs to meet the higher quota targets.
5. Conclusion
With the reallocation of quotas to the Express Entry system, CEC applicants are experiencing a new wave of favorable conditions. Meanwhile, the reduction in PNP quotas will prompt a strategic adjustment among applicants. For skilled candidates aiming to immigrate to Canada before 2025, leveraging CEC opportunities and improving CRS scores will be key to securing an ITA successfully.
Ontario's Immigration Policy Undergoes Major Overhaul: Employer Job Offer Streams to Become Fully Employer-Led
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has recently announced a fundamental overhaul to its highly sought-after Employer Job Offer streams. Starting July 2, 2024, the application process for these streams will shift from the current "applicant-led" model to an "employer-led" one. This change means employers must now initiate the process by submitting job details to the province through a new online portal before a foreign national can register an Expression of Interest (EOI). This reform will have significant implications for all current and prospective applicants.
06/15/2025
Planning a Summer Trip to Canada? Beware of 'Inadmissibility' Rules—Advance Planning is Crucial for Those with a Criminal Record
As the peak summer travel season approaches, many are planning to visit Canada to see family, friends, or attend events. However, Canada's stringent entry screening system may catch some visitors with criminal records off guard. Under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, non-citizens with a criminal record may be deemed "criminally inadmissible" and denied entry. This article will detail the conditions that lead to inadmissibility and introduce the three official pathways to overcome this barrier: the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), Deemed Rehabilitation, and individual Criminal Rehabilitation, to help affected individuals prepare in advance.
06/14/2025
Canada's Express Entry Draws Return to Large-Scale Model, 3,000 In-Canada Applicants Invited
On June 12, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 529. As the fourth draw of the month, its significant size marks a return to the large-scale CEC draws that were common in 2024 and earlier this year, sending a positive signal to individuals who already have Canadian study and work experience.
06/13/2025
Newfoundland's Immigration Invitations Hit Record High as Province Accelerates Talent Acquisition Under New System
Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador held its third provincial immigration draw of the year on May 29, 2025, issuing a total of 405 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This marks a new single-round record since the province adopted its new Expression of Interest (EOI) system in February of this year. The draw included candidates from both the Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), demonstrating the province's accelerated pace in recruiting skilled talent and new immigrants after successfully securing a larger federal immigration allocation.
06/12/2025
Canada's Express Entry Again Targets Provincial Nominees in Latest Draw, CRS Score Climbs to 784
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on June 10, 2025, once again targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 125 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 784. This is the third draw of the month and the first series of invitations under the new Minister of Immigration, Lena Diab. Data shows that the PNP remains the dominant stream for invitations in 2025. Concurrently, IRCC has underscored the importance for all candidates to maintain accurate profile information to avoid severe penalties for misrepresentation.
06/11/2025
Alberta Targets Healthcare Sector in New Immigration Draw, Inviting 36 Professionals
The province of Alberta conducted its latest provincial nominee draw on June 3, 2025, issuing 36 invitations to healthcare professionals through its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, which is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. With a remarkably low minimum score requirement of 60, the draw highlights the province's focused strategy to attract and retain foreign talent to address labour shortages in its healthcare system. Data shows that nearly half of the province's annual nomination allocation has been used, while competition within the healthcare stream remains high.
06/10/2025
Quebec Unveils Draft Immigration Plan for Next Four Years: Drastic Cuts to Temporary Residents, French Proficiency Becomes Core Requirement
Quebec's Immigration Minister, Jean-François Roberge, announced the province's draft immigration plan for the next four years (2026-2029) on June 5, 2025, signaling a major policy shift. The new strategy focuses on strictly controlling and reducing the number of temporary residents while shifting the selection focus entirely to in-province candidates with French language skills and work experience. To facilitate this transition, Quebec has immediately suspended intake for the popular PEQ experience program and plans to consider raising its permanent residence targets only after the federal government commits to a significant reduction in temporary residents. The draft plan is now open for public consultation.
06/09/2025
Canada's Express Entry Holds Another Targeted Draw, Prioritizing Healthcare Talent
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw on June 4, specifically targeting candidates in the "Healthcare and Social Services" category. A total of 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504. This marks the second targeted draw for this category this year, further signaling Canada's clear policy of prioritizing specific professional fields to address labor market shortages. To date, Canada has issued 35,217 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025.
06/09/2025
Ontario Immigration Allocation Adjusted: Federal Policy Changes Reshape PNP Landscape, Recent Draws Focus on Key Sectors, Issuing 3,719 Provincial Nomination Invitations in 10 Rounds
Ontario's Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) recently confirmed its 2025 provincial nomination allocation has been significantly reduced by half to 10,750, stemming from federal adjustments to the overall Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations. Despite the reduced quota and anticipated longer processing times, Ontario recently resumed large-scale draws after a several-month pause, issuing 3,719 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through 10 draws. These targeted foreign workers, international students, and in-demand skilled individuals in key areas such as healthcare, Northern Ontario, and specific Regional Economic Development Initiatives (REDI), demonstrating its commitment to addressing critical labour shortages within its limited allocation.
06/06/2025
BC Entrepreneur Immigration: New Round of Invitations Emphasizes Regional and Base Streams, Highlighting Investment Attraction
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued new invitations to Entrepreneur Immigration applicants on May 28. A total of no more than 14 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional and Base streams, with varying cut-off scores. Notably, compared to its skills immigration streams, BC's Entrepreneur Immigration program has maintained significant invitation frequency and stability in 2025, underscoring the province's continued focus on attracting business investment and promoting economic development.
06/05/2025
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