Immigration News

4,500 CEC Candidates Invited in Express Entry Draw

Canada invited a total of 4,500 immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence in the latest Express Entry draw. The draw took place on July 8, and only Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates were invited — a program aimed at individuals who have at least one year of work experience in Canada.

The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 369, an increase of 12 points from the last CEC-only draw. This is also the smallest draw since May 20. A day earlier, Canada invited 627 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for permanent residence; invited candidates needed a CRS score of at least 760, though provincial nominees receive an extra 600 points, meaning they only needed 160 core points. Ever since Canada introduced temporary travel restrictions in March 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19, most Express Entry draws have been program-specific.

Canada uses the Express Entry system to manage permanent residence applications through three main economic-class programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). All provinces and territories except Quebec and Nunavut have their own immigration programs, many of which are aligned with Express Entry.

Candidates in the Express Entry system are given a CRS score based on factors like age, work experience, education, and language proficiency in French or English. The highest-scoring candidates are regularly invited to apply for permanent residence, after which IRCC makes a final decision. Successful candidates receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and a visa on their passport if required, then travel to Canada and receive their Permanent Residence (PR) card.

Canada Inviting Candidates Already in the Country. In 2021, Canada held only Express Entry draws that target candidates who are likely to be in Canada, in an effort to admit 401,000 new permanent residents that year. PNP candidates often need work experience, study experience, or other connections to the province in order to receive a nomination, and CEC candidates need at least one year of Canadian work experience to be eligible — so it is likely that these candidates are currently residing in Canada. The country also aimed to welcome over 400,000 immigrants in 2022 and in 2023. Candidates outside Canada could still submit an Express Entry profile despite the COVID-related travel restrictions in place at the time — IRCC continued to accept submissions to the Express Entry system, even from candidates living overseas.