Canada’s immigration department has once again turned its attention to domestic skilled workers. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry round focused on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, its second CEC draw within just two weeks, and the second Express Entry draw of the month. The move highlights IRCC’s growing emphasis on offering permanent residency opportunities to individuals already contributing to the Canadian workforce.
Also Read IRCC Conducts Another CEC Draw in Two Weeks as Express Entry Activity Rises
Key Highlights of the Latest Draw
The November CEC draw invited 1,000 eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence.
Here are the main details:
- Invitations issued: 1,000 CEC candidates
- Minimum CRS score: 533
- Profile submission cut-off: Before October 17, 2025, at 3:39 a.m. UTC
This draw comes soon after the October 28 CEC round, which also saw 1,000 invitations and the same CRS requirement, indicating that IRCC may be maintaining a consistent benchmark for this program as the year nears its close.
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CEC’s Growing Role in Canada’s Immigration Strategy
The Canadian Experience Class continues to serve as a cornerstone of IRCC’s skilled immigration approach. It provides a direct path to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and graduates who have already established themselves in Canada’s labour market.
By conducting consecutive CEC draws, IRCC is demonstrating its intent to strengthen pathways for these candidates, many of whom fill ongoing labour shortages in industries such as IT, healthcare, education, and skilled trades.
Immigration analysts suggest that this consistent pattern of draws could signal preparation for a stronger domestic retention policy under Canada’s 2026 Immigration Levels Plan, where more permanent residence spots may be reserved for in-Canada applicants.
Express Entry Draw Summary – 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| November 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1000 | 533 |
| November 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
| October 29 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 416 |
| October 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| October 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| October 15 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 472 |
| October 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| October 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 432 |
| October 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| September 18 | Trade | 1,250 | 505 |
| September 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| September 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| September 4 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| September 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| August 19 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 470 |
| August 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 8 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 481 |
| August 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| August 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| July 22 | Healthcare and social services | 4,000 | 475 |
| July 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| July 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| July 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| June 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 23 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 504 |
| June 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
A Surge in Express Entry Invitations
The November CEC draw is the second Express Entry round of the month, following the PNP draw on November 10.
To date, 83,199 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been issued in 2025, a significant figure that demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to meeting Canada’s annual immigration objectives.
Unlike previous years, where most draws were broad and general, 2025 has seen more targeted rounds of invitation based on occupation, language ability, and work experience. This approach allows Canada to address specific workforce shortages more efficiently.
IRCC’s Draw Patterns in 2025
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 21 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 12 |
| French-language proficiency | 7 |
| Healthcare and social services | 5 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued to Date |
| French | 36,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 23,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 9,792 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 7,963 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
Outlook for 2026: Stronger Focus on In-Canada Applicants
As Canada approaches 2026, experts predict that IRCC will further expand draws focused on CEC and French-speaking candidates. The goal is to build a stable, locally trained workforce that can immediately integrate into the economy.
The CEC’s continued prominence in recent rounds suggests a sustained policy direction, one that favors applicants who have already demonstrated their adaptability and employability within the Canadian system.
If this pattern holds, the early 2026 Express Entry rounds could see a record number of invitations for both CEC and category-based draws, ensuring that Canada continues to attract and retain the skilled talent needed to support its long-term economic growth.
