According to the latest announcement from the Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), starting from December 18, 2024, foreign nationals holding an International Experience Canada (IEC) employer-specific work permit will no longer receive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for a valid job offer. This policy change affects IEC “Young Professionals” work permit holders and is taking effect earlier than initially planned, which was set for Spring 2025. This means that many applicants holding this type of work permit will face the loss of CRS points more quickly.

Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess and select candidates applying for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. Express Entry is a system used to manage Canada’s three main economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Express Entry application process, the operation of the CRS, a detailed introduction to the scoring criteria and influencing factors, and offers practical strategies to improve your CRS score, helping applicants better understand Canada’s immigration policies and improve their chances of success.

After experiencing the impact of the federal government's reduction in immigration quotas, New Brunswick is finally beginning to selectively reopen some immigration programs. With a limit of 2,750 provincial nomination spaces, the province prioritizes key sectors such as healthcare, education, and construction, and restricts certain occupational categories.

This week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 invitations through the Express Entry system to candidates eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw is the second invitation this week, following closely behind the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on February 4th, reflecting the priorities of Canada’s immigration policies.

In the 334th round of Express Entry invitations, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 455 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 802 and submission of the profile before the deadline. This draw is the fourth one in 2025, aimed at attracting high-quality talent with essential professional skills and language proficiency to meet domestic economic and population development needs.

On January 24, 2025, Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) conducted its first draw of the year. This draw targeted healthcare sector candidates and issued 22 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Labour Impact Category and the PEI PNP Express Entry stream.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). This program offers a pathway to permanent residency (PR) for individuals with intermediate French proficiency who have a job offer in priority occupations in selected communities outside Quebec. These communities will provide potential candidates with more immigration information and help match them with local employers.

The Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department (IRCC) recently announced the official launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP). The program aims to attract foreign nationals to move to rural areas of Canada to fill local labor shortages and provide immigrants with long-term settlement opportunities. This pilot will involve 14 communities, with participants required to obtain a job offer from a local employer and meet certain conditions.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a further extension of the temporary public policy allowing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) until December 31, 2025. Under this policy, eligible foreign nationals can apply for an OWP valid for up to two years without being tied to a specific employer, thereby providing greater flexibility for those seeking to transition to permanent residency via a PNP. Alberta, Manitoba, and the Yukon have taken the lead by implementing this measure and issuing support letters to PNP candidates who live and work in their respective jurisdictions.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 4,000 invitations to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in the third round of Express Entry this year, with a minimum CRS score of 527. This invitation round signifies the continued importance of the CEC in 2025. At the same time, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is facing quota reductions, indicating that Express Entry will once again become the main channel for many skilled immigration candidates.