Canada’s Express Entry system delivered a notable development in mid-December, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a draw that significantly lowered the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) requirement. The latest round of invitations once again highlights how category-based selection is reshaping permanent residence pathways for skilled immigrants.
On December 17, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates selected under the French-language proficiency category, marking one of the lowest CRS thresholds recorded this year.
Also Read CRS Score Slips Below 400 as IRCC Issues ITAs in Major Express Entry Draw
Details of the December 17 Express Entry Draw
Candidates were eligible for this draw if they met the following conditions:
- CRS score requirement: Minimum of 399
- Profile submission deadline: Before 11:43 p.m. (UTC) on August 24, 2025
- Selection category: French-language proficiency
This draw reinforces Canada’s long-term objective of attracting Francophone immigrants to support linguistic diversity and regional workforce needs across the country.
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French-Speaking Candidates Continue to Dominate Express Entry Invitations
The December 17 draw was the second French-language proficiency draw conducted within three weeks. Combined, these two rounds resulted in over 12,000 invitations, placing French-speaking candidates at the forefront of Express Entry selections.
So far in 2025, IRCC has already issued 48,000 ITAs through French-language draws alone, across just nine rounds, making it the most invited Express Entry category this year.
December Marks One of the Busiest Months for Express Entry in 2025
This draw represents the sixth Express Entry round held in December, following a sequence of invitations issued under:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Healthcare and social services category
The frequency and volume of draws indicate IRCC’s continued focus on meeting ambitious immigration targets before the year concludes.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| December 17 | French Language Proficiency | 6,000 | 399 |
| 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 |
Total Invitations Issued Through Express Entry in 2025
To date, IRCC has issued 113,998 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025, reflecting sustained demand for skilled workers across multiple sectors and provinces.
Distribution of Express Entry Draws by Category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 23 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 15 |
| French-language proficiency | 9 |
| Healthcare and social services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
ITAs Issued by the Express Entry Stream in 2025
| Draw type | ITAs issued to date |
| French | 48,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 36,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,775 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
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What This Trend Signals for Future Applicants
The steady reduction in CRS scores for category-based draws shows how targeted selection is creating realistic opportunities for candidates who may not rank highly under general draws. Language ability, Canadian work experience, and occupation-specific eligibility are increasingly decisive factors in securing permanent residence.
As IRCC continues to rely on strategic, high-volume draws, candidates who align with priority categories are likely to remain well-positioned in upcoming rounds.
