Canada’s Express Entry system has delivered another significant update with a new Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, offering improved chances for skilled workers already employed in the country. The latest round reflects a noticeable shift in selection dynamics, particularly for candidates relying on Canadian work experience to secure permanent residence.
Also Read Canada Holds New Express Entry Draw, CRS Drops to 515 for Canadian Experience Class
Overview of the Latest Express Entry Invitation Round
On December 16, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a fresh Express Entry draw exclusively for Canadian Experience Class applicants, issuing 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Candidates were eligible for selection if they met the following criteria:
- Achieved a minimum CRS score of 515
- Submitted their Express Entry profile before 6:58 p.m. (UTC) on September 9, 2025
This score marks the lowest CRS threshold applied to a CEC draw in 2025, positioning this round as a notable milestone for in-Canada applicants.
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Express Entry Draw Timeline for 2025
IRCC has maintained a steady pace of invitations throughout the year, utilising targeted draws to meet labour market and demographic objectives. Below is the complete record of Express Entry draws conducted in 2025, preserved in table format.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| December 16 | Canadian Experience Class | 5,000 | 515 |
| December 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 399 | 731 |
| December 11 | Healthcare and social services | 1,000 | 476 |
| December 10 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 520 |
| December 8 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,123 | 729 |
| November 28 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 408 |
| November 25 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 531 |
| November 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| November 14 | Healthcare and social services | 3,500 | 462 |
| November 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 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 Rare Back-to-Back Move for CEC Invitations
This draw follows another CEC-specific round conducted just one week earlier, bringing the total number of CEC invitations issued in two weeks to 11,000. Such close scheduling is uncommon and diverges from IRCC’s typical alternating draw pattern.
Earlier in the year, CEC draws were generally smaller and required CRS scores well above 520. The latest result indicates a recalibration aimed at accelerating permanent residence pathways for temporary residents.
December Emerges as a High-Volume Invitation Month
With five Express Entry draws already completed in December, IRCC has intensified its selection activity toward the end of the year. These draws have spanned multiple categories, including:
- Provincial nominees
- Healthcare and social service professionals
- Canadian Experience Class candidates
Notably, the December 10 CEC draw was the largest for this stream in over a year, further reinforcing IRCC’s current focus on in-country applicants.
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Total Invitations Issued Through Express Entry in 2025
As of the latest draw, 107,998 ITAs have been issued via Express Entry in 2025. Invitations have largely been distributed through category-based and program-specific rounds rather than all-program selections.
Express Entry Draws by Category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 23 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 15 |
| French-language proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare and social services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
Invitation Allocation by Stream
The table below outlines how invitations have been divided across Express Entry categories so far this year.
| Draw type | ITAs issued to date |
| French | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 36,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,775 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
What This Draw Signals for Candidates
The reduction in CRS requirements for CEC applicants may benefit individuals with Canadian employment history who were previously just below the cut-off scores. If similar thresholds continue, more temporary residents could transition to permanent residence without requiring provincial nominations or category-specific selection.
Candidates are encouraged to keep their profiles updated, monitor draw frequency, and prepare documentation in advance to act quickly when selected.
