IRCC sends more CEC invitations in second Express Entry draw. The department issued around 4,000 ITAs to candidates.
In order to be considered for this Express Entry draw, candidates need to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 521 and to have created an Express Entry candidate profile on or before 2:52:14 am on November 14, 2024, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
The recent draw was the second of the week. It followed a Provincial Nominee Program draw on February 4, wherein a total of 455 candidates were invited in enhanced PNP programs.
In January, IRCC issued a total of 5,821 ITAs to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class program, as well as enhanced PNP programs.
Summary Of Express Entry Draws In 2025
IRCC sends more CEC invitations in second Express Entry draw. Below are the draw results of other draws as well. Have a look!
| Date | Draw Type | Number Of ITAs | Cut-Off CRS Score |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Patterns In Express Entry Draws
IRCC sends more CEC invitations in second Express Entry draw. As per the Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, the majority of invitations issued by IRCC throughout 2025 will revolve around the priority categories that the federal government has set through Express Entry.
These are:
- CEC & PNP candidates
- Category-based selection candidates – usually healthcare as well as trades workers, and candidates with advanced French-language proficiency
Between these two categories, IRCC will be welcoming more than 124,000 new permanent residents this year.
The latter half of 2024 focused on inviting candidates who fit into these priority categories.
What Is The Distinction Between Express Entry And The PNPs?
In Canada, both the federal and provincial levels of government run their own immigration programs.
Express Entry is Canada’s largest federal immigration pathway and comprise of three streams:
- The Canadian Experience Class
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program
On the other hand, PNPs are provincial and territorial immigration initiatives that include region-specific immigration streams, pilots, and programs. Every PNP is different depending on the needs of the province that runs it. PNPs are run to spread the benefit of immigration all across Canada.
PNP immigration programs can either be base or enhanced (Express Entry-aligned).
Base PNP programs feature two parts of the application process, i.e., first, the candidate must apply and clear all associated steps with the provincial government, including:
- Submitting a candidate profile in an Expression of Interest pool
- Responding to an ITA with a complete application for provincial nomination
If a newcomer obtains a provincial nomination, they may subsequently apply to IRCC directly for permanent residence. Final approval for a PR application will come from the federal government.
Enhanced or Express Entry-aligned PNP streams allow newcomers to receive a provincial nomination while also being part of the Express Entry application pool. This process can happen in either direction, i.e., the candidate first has a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream and then enters the Express Entry pool, OR the candidate first enters the pool and then applies (or is passively considered) through an enhanced PNP stream, through which they can get a provincial nomination.
In either case, candidates in this scenario benefit from receiving a provincial nomination by gaining an additional 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing them an ITA in the next draw they qualify for.
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