IRCC Conducts Large-Scale Express Entry Draw, Issuing 3,000 CEC Invitations

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a fresh round of invitations through the Express Entry system on June 12th, inviting 3,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. This marks one of the largest CEC-specific draws of the year to date and signals a strategic shift in prioritizing applicants with Canadian work experience.

Also Read Canada Conducts Major Express Entry Draw Targeting Canadian Work Experience Holders

Key Highlights of the June 12 CEC Draw

In this round, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 529 to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Eligible candidates also needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 6:06 p.m. UTC on September 28, 2024.

This draw follows a series of more specialized and smaller draws, making it a noteworthy development, particularly for CEC candidates aiming to secure permanent residency based on their existing work and living experience in Canada.

Express Entry Draw Activity in 2025 (To Date)

The table below outlines all Express Entry draws conducted in 2025 so far:

DateDraw TypeNumber of ITAsCut-off CRS score
June 12Canadian Experience Class3,000529
June 10Provincial Nominee Program125784
June 4Healthcare and social services500504
June 2Provincial Nominee Program277726
May 13Canadian Experience Class500547
May 12Provincial Nominee Program511706
May 2Healthcare and social services500510
May 1Education1,000479
April 28Provincial Nominee Program421727
April 14Provincial Nominee Program825764
March 21French language proficiency7,500379
March 17Provincial Nominee Program536736
March 6French language proficiency4,500410
March 3Provincial Nominee Program725667
February 19French language proficiency6,500428
February 17Provincial Nominee Program646750
February 5Canadian Experience Class4,000521
February 4Provincial Nominee Program455802
January 23Canadian Experience Class4,000527
January 8Canadian Experience Class1,350542
January 7Provincial Nominee Program471793
Immigrate Through Express Entry, CIC NEWS Update

A Shift Toward More CEC-Focused Invitations

This draw marks the fourth Express Entry draw of June and the fifth CEC-focused draw of the year. After a trend of category-based selections and provincial nominee draws, the sizable number of ITAs in this round suggests a renewed commitment to welcoming candidates who already have Canadian work experience—an attribute proven to result in better labour market integration.

Moreover, this is the first CEC draw under Canada’s newly appointed Immigration Minister, hinting at potential policy recalibrations aimed at maximizing the value of Canada’s homegrown talent pipeline.

How Many Invitations Have Been Issued So Far in 2025?

As of June 12, IRCC has distributed a total of 38,342 ITAs this year through the Express Entry system.

Here’s the breakdown by draw type:

Draw TypeNumber of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program10
Canadian Experience Class5
French-language proficiency3
Healthcare and social services2
Education1

Why the Canadian Experience Class Is So Strategic

The Canadian Experience Class is tailored for skilled temporary residents—particularly international students and temporary foreign workers—who wish to transition to permanent residency. It supports Canada’s long-term demographic and economic goals by retaining individuals who are already contributing to its workforce and are likely to integrate quickly and successfully.

Top Advantages of the CEC Pathway:

  • Higher CRS scores: Candidates with Canadian work experience benefit from additional CRS points, increasing their competitiveness in the Express Entry pool.
  • No settlement fund requirement: Unlike other Express Entry streams, CEC candidates don’t have to show proof of funds when applying.
  • Faster processing: Most CEC applications are processed in six months or less, making it one of the quickest pathways to permanent residence.
  • Labour market integration: IRCC and Statistics Canada research consistently indicates that CEC applicants achieve higher employment rates and income levels compared to other newcomers—sometimes even outperforming Canadian-born workers in similar fields.

Looking Ahead

As the Express Entry system continues to evolve, IRCC’s renewed focus on CEC candidates suggests a data-backed commitment to retaining skilled individuals already in Canada. These draws align with broader immigration goals—boosting economic productivity, addressing labour shortages, and enhancing social cohesion by helping temporary residents establish permanent roots.

Stakeholders and prospective immigrants should continue monitoring future draw patterns, particularly as category-based selections remain a key part of Canada’s immigration strategy in 2025.

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