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Last Updated On 8 January 2025, 4:02 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw of the year on January 8, 2025, inviting 1,350 candidates to apply for permanent residency (PR).

This marks the start of another promising year for skilled immigrants in Canada.

This draw set a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score of 542, representing a 3-point increase compared to the last CEC-specific draw held on November 19, 2024, which had a cutoff score of 539.

Below, we dive into the details of this draw and its significance for Express Entry candidates.

Details of the First CEC Express Entry Draw of 2025

Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Number of invitations issued: 1,350
Rank required to be invited to apply: 1,350 or above
Date and time of round: January 8, 2025
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 542
Tie-breaking rule: December 7, 2024, at 01:10:06 UTC

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the key immigration programs managed under IRCC’s Express Entry system.

It is designed for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and wish to settle permanently in Canada.

To qualify for the CEC, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Work Experience: At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years before applying.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English or French, as demonstrated through approved language tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF.
Education: While education is not mandatory for CEC, it can boost CRS scores if assessed through Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

The CRS cutoff score of 542 is an important benchmark for candidates in the Express Entry pool.

This score reflects the lowest-ranked candidate who received an invitation to apply (ITA) in the draw.

A CRS score is determined by factors such as:

Age
Education
Language proficiency
Canadian and foreign work experience
Job offers or provincial nominations

The higher the CRS score, the better the chances of receiving an ITA.

A cutoff of 542 indicates that candidates with competitive profiles, particularly those with strong language scores and Canadian work experience, were successful in this draw.

To understand the competition in the Express Entry system, here is a breakdown of CRS scores in the pool before this draw:

CRS score range	Number of candidates
601-1200	171
501-600	23,240
451-500	65,699
491-500	12,811
481-490	12,492
471-480	14,965
461-470	13,034
451-460	12,397
401-450	60,704
441-450	11,938
431-440	13,030
421-430	11,901
411-420	12,224
401-410	11,611
351-400	50,607
301-350	21,788
0-300	5,554
Total	227,763

The majority of candidates fall above the 500 range, indicating strong competition at the higher end of the CRS spectrum.

Candidates aiming for a CEC invitation must focus on improving their scores to increase their chances.

Here’s how the latest CEC draw compares to the draws conducted in 2024:

Draw Number	Date	Program	Invitations Issued	CRS Cutoff
326	November 19, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	539
323	November 13, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	547
320	October 22, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	539
317	October 9, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	500	539
315	September 19, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	509
312	August 27, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	3,300	507
309	August 14, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	3,200	509

Trends Observed in CEC Draws:

Higher Cutoff Scores: CRS scores have remained competitive, with most draws in 2024 exceeding 500.
Larger Draw Sizes: The latest draw of 4,000 ITAs mirrors the larger draw sizes seen in September 2024.

If your CRS score falls below the current cutoff, don’t give up! There are ways to enhance your profile:

Retake Language Tests: Boosting your IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF scores can significantly increase your CRS points.
Gain Canadian Work Experience: Continue working in Canada to accumulate more skilled experience.
Obtain a Provincial Nomination: Many provinces offer nomination programs that add 600 points to your CRS score.
Education: Pursuing higher education in Canada or obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees can help.

The first CEC Express Entry draw of 2025 has ushered in an exciting year in Canadian immigration.

With 1,350 ITAs issued and a high CRS cutoff score of 542, candidates must focus on strengthening their profiles to secure future invitations.

Whether you’re already in the pool or planning to join, staying updated on Express Entry trends is key to achieving your Canadian dream.

If you have questions about your eligibility or need assistance with improving your CRS score, consult with a licensed immigration professional to guide you through the process.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.