Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Express Entry draw, issuing additional invitations to apply (ITAs).
A total of 471 ITAs were sent to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 793.
This marks the first Express Entry draw of the year and follows two PNP draws and a French language proficiency draw in December. In total, the department issued 2,561 ITAs last month.
For 2024, IRCC has mostly focused on inviting candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), PNP, and French-language proficiency categories. This trend is expected to continue in 2025.
Among the immigration department’s top priorities are candidates with French-language skills and those with experience in healthcare and skilled trades, categorized under IRCC’s “Federal Economic priorities” as part of the latest Immigration Levels Plan.
Candidates in the CEC and PNP, as well as possibly those from other Express Entry programs, fall under the “In-Canada Focus” category. These two categories are likely to account for the majority of IRCC’s planned admissions (124,680 landings) under Express Entry in the upcoming year.
Latest Draw Details
- Draw Date: January 7, 2025
- Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program
- Number of Invitations: 471
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 793
Overview of Express Entry
Express Entry is a system that manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
These programs collectively represent the largest economic immigration route to Canada.
To be eligible under Express Entry, candidates must submit a profile, which is then ranked based on factors like education, age, work experience, and more. The candidates with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence (PR). Once a candidate receives an ITA, they have 60 days to submit a complete application.
If the application is complete and meets all requirements, IRCC aims to process it within six months. Successfully approved candidates will be granted Canadian PR, allowing them to live, work, and settle permanently in Canada, with the possibility of eventually applying for Canadian citizenship.
