In the latest Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended 400 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates within the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. This targeted draw required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 to be eligible for an ITA. The Canadian Experience Class caters to individuals with Canadian work experience who wish to transition from temporary to permanent residency.
This draw is significant, as it follows another Express Entry round held just a day prior on October 21, which invited 648 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. These PNP candidates faced a much higher CRS threshold of 791 due to the additional 600 points automatically awarded to those nominated by a Canadian province.
Recent Express Entry Trends
The IRCC has adopted a pattern of conducting multiple Express Entry draws within a week, often alternating between CEC and PNP-focused draws. This reflects a clear focus on retaining skilled workers in Canada, such as temporary residents transitioning to permanent residency. It also helps the government manage both its temporary residency numbers and its targets for admitting new permanent residents, as outlined in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan.
These draws are integral to Canada’s broader strategy of filling labour shortages and boosting the economy with skilled foreign talent. IRCC’s strategy to focus on candidates within Canada aims to streamline the pathway to permanent residency for those already contributing to the workforce.
Future Expectations
As we move closer to the release of the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which is expected by November 1, all eyes are on whether IRCC will meet its target of welcoming 110,770 new permanent residents in 2024 through the Express Entry system. Given the processing time for Express Entry applications, candidates receiving ITAs during the second half of the year are more likely to see their applications processed and approved in 2025.
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s online system for managing applications for permanent residence under three primary economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates on key human capital factors such as:
- Age
- Work experience
- Education
- Language proficiency
These factors help identify individuals who are likely to contribute to Canada’s labour market and economy. The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the more likely they are to receive an ITA in future draws. For PNP candidates, provincial nomination provides a significant boost of 600 CRS points, often leading to much higher overall CRS scores for PNP draws.
In addition to PNP draws, candidates may also receive additional CRS points for having family in Canada or applying with a spouse or partner.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| October 22 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| October 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 648 | 791 |
| October 10 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 444 |
| October 9 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 539 |
| October 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,613 | 743 |
| September 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 509 |
| September 13 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 446 |
| September 9 | Provincial Nominee Program | 911 | 732 |
| August 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,300 | 507 |
| August 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,121 | 694 |
| August 15 | French language proficiency | 2,000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,200 | 509 |
| August 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 763 | 690 |
| July 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 5,000 | 510 |
| July 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 964 | 686 |
| July 18 | French language proficiency | 1,800 | 400 |
| July 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,300 | 515 |
| July 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,391 | 670 |
| July 8 | French proficiency | 3,200 | 420 |
| July 5 | Healthcare occupations | 3,750 | 445 |
| July 4 | Trade occupations | 1,800 | 436 |
| July 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French language proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
Conclusion
At SWEC Visa, we are committed to guiding you through every step of your immigration journey. Whether you’re aiming to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or need assistance with other visa programs, our experts are here to offer tailored advice and support. With years of experience in handling Express Entry applications, we ensure that your profile stands out to increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Contact SWEC Visa today to begin your process for a smooth transition to life in Canada.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
Ans1. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program managed through the Express Entry system. It is designed for individuals who have recent Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
Q2. How many ITAs were issued in the latest Express Entry draw?
Ans2. In the latest Express Entry draw, 400 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to CEC candidates.
Q3. What was the minimum CRS score required in this draw?
Ans3. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 539.
Q4. How often does IRCC conduct Express Entry draws?
Ans4. IRCC typically holds Express Entry draws every two weeks. Recently, they have been conducting multiple draws in a week, focusing on different programs like CEC and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Q5. What is the difference between CEC and PNP draws?
Ans5. CEC draws target candidates who have Canadian work experience, while PNP invites candidates who have been nominated by a Canadian province, giving them an additional 600 CRS points.
Q6. What happens after receiving an ITA in a CEC draw?
Ans6. After receiving an ITA, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency. Processing times generally take up to 6 months.
Q7. What is the significance of CRS scores in Express Entry draws?
Ans7. CRS scores help rank candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Those with higher scores are more likely to receive ITAs.
Q8. Are candidates in the second half of the year more likely to be admitted in 2025?
Ans8. Yes, due to the six-month processing time for Express Entry applications, candidates receiving ITAs later in the year are more likely to complete the process and be admitted in 2025.
Q9. What are the key human capital factors considered in CRS scoring?
Ans9. Key factors include age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and whether a candidate has family in Canada or applies with a spouse/partner.
Q10. How can SWEC Visa help with Express Entry applications?
Ans10. SWEC Visa provides expert guidance in optimizing your Express Entry profile, improving your chances of receiving an ITA. From evaluating your CRS score to ensuring timely application submission, SWEC Visa is dedicated to making your immigration process smooth and successful.
