FSWP and CEC invitations will resume by early July. That’s a great announcement for Federal Skilled Worker Candidates and Canadian Experience Class applicants. Since December 2020, no Express Entry draws for FSWP candidates have been held. Also, CEC draws have been paused since September 2021. But the great news is that Canada’s immigration minister Sean Fraser, announced today, April 22 that as of July, Express Entry draws will restart.
New Express Entry applications will be processed within six months. Applicants are no more required to be inside Canada for the whole time of the process. Those waiting for the permanent residence application process can get work permits up to 2024. Also, the included family members in the PR application, residing outside Canada, will be able to obtain open work permits.
Up to 18 months extension of PGWP which is expiring between January and December 2022, will also be available.
2025 Updates—Category-Based Selection Introduced
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now hold category-based draws under Express Entry. Candidates with certain skills or backgrounds are targeted to meet specific labor market needs. In 2025, selected categories include French-language speakers, healthcare workers, STEM professionals, tradespeople, educators, and individuals in agriculture and agri-food industries.
Applicants must still qualify under one of the main Express Entry programs before receiving an invitation. This new system refines how invitations are issued rather than overhauling the eligibility rules.
Stronger Emphasis on Canadian Work Experience
Candidates with Canadian work experience — particularly under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — are receiving increased attention in selection rounds this year. IRCC announced that supporting individuals who are already contributing to Canada’s workforce will help address labor shortages more quickly.
Job Offer Points Removed from CRS
Starting March 25, 2025, job offers will no longer add extra points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This change applies to all occupations and fields.
While a valid job offer remains useful for meeting certain program requirements, it no longer influences a candidate’s rank in the Express Entry pool.
Processing Times and Work Permit Extensions
New Express Entry applications are still being processed in about six months. Although work permit extension policies announced in earlier years remain active, no specific new extension programs have been introduced yet for 2025. IRCC supports permanent residence applicants through general temporary work permit pathways when needed.
Begin Your Application for Express Entry
Fill out our free assessment form today or call us at (647) 864 4224.
We are more than happy to answer your questions and concerns regarding Express Entry.
You can also book a personal consultation session to speak with our immigration experts in person, over the telephone, or through a video conference.
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We have been helping many applicants to become permanent residents for years and we have a high success rate. Our clients from almost 20 different countries have experienced this with us and you can be the next successful one. We know how to prepare documents and how to make your immigration process smooth and easy for you. Contact us HERE to start the process today!
If you are not a Canadian Permanent Resident yet and you are not sure what the best way for you to immigrate to Canada is, please fill out our assessment form HERE and we will get back to you with your possible options.
