Express Entry Draw Overview
Canada held its first Express Entry draw in January 2025 on January 7, 2025, sending out 471 Invitations to Apply for the PNP category. This draw saw the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) mentioned score being 793 points which was 66 points higher from the previous PNP draw, 16 December 2024, with 1,085 ITAs.
Express Entry Highlights from 2024
Express Entry Highlights from 2024
In 2024, Canada issued 98,803 ITAs through Express Entry across various draw categories:
- Nine All-Program Draws
- Eleven French-Speaker Draws
- Targeted Draws:
- Transport Jobs (1 draw)
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations (1 draw)
- Healthcare Occupations (3 draws)
- STEM Occupations (1 draw)
- Trade Occupations (2 draws)
- 14 PNP Draws
- Ten Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draws
Historical ITA Trends
- 2024: 98,803 ITAs issued
- 2023: 110,266 ITAs issued
- 2022: 45,115 ITAs issued
- Record set in 2021: 114,431 ITAs, primarily for CEC and PNP candidates
Key Details of the January 7 Draw
The tie-breaking rule was applied for profiles submitted before November 25, 2024, at 11:57 AM EST. This is the 331st round of Express Entry ever conducted and the first one in 2025. Successful candidates will have 60 days in which to submit their applications with processing expected to occur within the standard six months.
Advice for Employers: Recruiting Foreign Workers
It has suggested that employers obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or seek out provincial nomination programs (PNPs) to retain employees permanently. Immigration firms such as immigration.ca cater to employers to efficiently recruit skilled foreign workers.
Steps for Candidates: Maximizing Your Chances
Candidates should therefore try and ensure they obtain a valid job offer because it would help them get an ITA in future draws. For more assistance, they can fill out an online evaluation free of charge to assess their eligibility and receive the results in one to two business days.
