Last Updated On : January 13 , 2025
On January 7, 2025, the first Express Entry draw of the year was announced, welcoming 471 skilled professionals who applied through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via the Express Entry process.
The year 2024 concluded with the final Express Entry draw, which issued 330 invitations under the PNP stream, resulting in 1,085 invitations sent through the Express Entry PNP.
The Latest express entry draw has increased the minimum CRS score required for Canada Immigration by 66 from the last PNP-specific express entry draw.
Here is the essential information for the latest express entry draw:
Express Entry Draw #331
CRS Score Cut-Off: 793
ITAs Issued: 471
Category: Provincial Nominee Program
Tie-breaking rule: November 25, 2024 at 16:57:27 UTC
Source: Ministerial Instructions For Express Entry Draw
Several international skilled professionals' work permits will expire in late 2024 or early 2025. Therefore, the last express entry draw of 2024 and the first draw of 2025 are aligned with the provincial government's requirements.
As per the PEIs, the latest express entry draw invitations are issued to health and manufacturing workers whose permits are expiring soon, and they, too, want to become permanent residents of Canada.
Alberta has conducted its latest immigration draw targeting skilled professionals whose work permits are set to expire soon. This draw is for those who have applied for the PGWP program and have chosen to make Alberta their permanent home.
Manitoba issued its last express entry draw on 27 December 2024, and 239 Letters of Advice To Apply were issued to skilled workers who currently work in Manitoba and want to become permanent residents.
As there are still more than 3,18,000 applications in the Canadian immigration backlog, IRCC has extended open work permit applications until December 31, 2026. So, if you are from one of them, you can apply for an extension of Open Work Permit Canada, which will allow you to stay in Canada until you get your PR card, and you can continue your work in Canada as a temporary worker.
The first Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class of the Year was announced on January 8, 2025. The draw welcomed 1,350 skilled professionals, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542.
In the last Express Entry draw specifically for the Canadian Experience Class, only 400 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to professionals with profiles in the Express Entry pool. In line with the 2025 immigration targets, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new category.
Here is the essential information for latest express entry draw:
Express Entry Draw #332
CRS Score Cut-Off : 542
ITAs Issued: 1350
Category: Canadian Experience Class
Tie-breaking rule: December 07, 2024 at 01:10:06 UTC
Source: Ministerial Instructions For Express Entry Draw
Express Entry Draw #279, announced on January 10, 2024, was a general draw that invited 1,510 skilled professionals through the Express Entry system. Candidates eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class with a CRS score above 546 were invited to apply.
Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Express Entry Draw | 279 | 332 |
Draw Date | 10 January | 7 January |
Invitations | 1510 | 471 |
Minimum CRS Score | 546 | 793 |
Category | General | Provincial Nominee Program |
As anticipated, the first two draws have issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs). These invitations are primarily extended to individuals with Canadian work experience and skilled professionals whose work permits are set to expire in December 2024 or early 2025. Immigration targets have been reduced compared to last year. Professionals having Canadian work experience or are in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or another type of work permit, will receive priority in the Express Entry system, as your profile will be classified under the In-Canada Focus category.