IRCC Conducts first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of 2025

IRCC, which is in charge of immigration, refugee, and citizenship, asked 1,350 people to apply for permanent residence (PR) through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program at the start of the year. To be qualified for the draw, candidates had to get at least a 542 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The draw was done using the Express Entry method.

The Key Highlights of the Draw –

•    ITA – 1350 (CEC)
•    CRS score – 542 

This draw is the second round of Express Entry this week, and it is only for CECs. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw took place on January 7, and 471 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were sent to people with a CRS score of at least 793. People who already live in Canada can enter the January 8 CEC draw. The PNP draw was for people who were named by their province. This shows that the government is still trying to meet demographic goals and the needs of the job market.

What Will Change About Express Entry in 2025?

Express Entry, Canada's main method for controlling immigration, is likely to play a big role in 2025. In the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, it says that 124,680 new immigrants should be able to enter the country this year through the Express Entry programs.

Last year, IRCC used a structured method for Express Entry draws, giving more weight to individuals in the French-language proficiency group, the Canadian Experience Class, and enhanced PNPs. But new trends show that ITAs are being given out less often. Like, December 2024 had 2,561 ITAs but fewer draws than months like October and November, which were busy.

As of the most current Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has added two important spots for people who want to use Express Entry:

It's Canada The people who already live in Canada get priority with this allocation, especially those who are asking for the CEC and PNP programs.

What are the Priorities for the federal economy?

 Most of this budget goes to hiring people based on their skills, with a focus on those who can help with important labor gaps or demographic goals.
Jobs in healthcare, trades, and for people who speak French well are among the priority groups for 2025. Even though these six categories are still true, they get more attention than the other six.

A Look at Fast Track

The Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) all use Express Entry, which has been around since 2015. It also takes people who were suggested by enhanced PNPs.

Categories were added by IRCC in 2023. This let people send more targeted offers based on language or job skills. It will still use this plan in 2025 to find people whose thoughts fit with Canada's social and business goals.

How to Make Use of Express Entry?

People who are eligible start the process by creating a record in the Express Entry system. Their scores are based on things that the CRS looks at, like their age, amount of education, work experience, and language skills. People at the top of the job market are called through draws, and they have 60 days to send in a full application for PR. Then they will be able to live and work in Canada for as long as they want because they will be lifelong residents.

Canada still needs trained workers and needs to bring them in. One important way that the country is able to meet its immigration goals is through Express Entry. The first CEC draw of 2025 shows that IRCC wants to help the economy grow and make it easy for people to move to Canada.