Express Entry: Program-Specific Draws

What Are Program-Specific Draws?

Program-specific draws are a type of Express Entry invitation round where Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) targets candidates who are eligible for a single, specific immigration program.

This approach allows IRCC to manage the intake of different types of skilled workers and to prioritize candidates who meet the unique criteria of programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It can also be used for candidates who have a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination linked to their Express Entry profile.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draws

These draws target candidates who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. CEC draws are common because these candidates are already established in the Canadian labour market and have demonstrated their ability to integrate into Canadian society.

• Who it's for: Individuals with recent Canadian work experience.
• Key Advantage: Often have lower CRS score requirements compared to general draws because the pool of candidates is smaller and more specific.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Draws

FSWP draws are aimed at skilled workers with foreign work experience who meet minimum criteria for education, language proficiency, and other factors. These draws are less common than CEC draws but are used to invite skilled workers from overseas who have the potential to succeed in the Canadian economy.

• Who it's for: Skilled workers with foreign experience who pass a points assessment based on six selection factors.
• Key Advantage: Provides a direct pathway to Canada for those without Canadian experience but with strong human capital factors.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Draws

These are targeted invitations for candidates who are qualified in a skilled trade (e.g., electricians, plumbers, welders). FSTP draws typically have much lower CRS score requirements because they focus on a very specific set of in-demand occupations.

• Who it's for: Candidates with a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade.
• Key Advantage: A highly-targeted stream with low CRS scores, designed to fill critical labour shortages in the trades sector.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws

While not a federal program, PNP-specific draws are common in Express Entry. These invitation rounds target candidates who have already received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate's CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

• Who it's for: Express Entry candidates who have successfully applied for and received a nomination from a participating province or territory.
• Key Advantage: The 600-point bonus makes this one of the most effective ways to secure an ITA.