Canada’s Express Entry system witnessed a notable shake-up this week as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released another round of invitations under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This latest draw recorded a CRS requirement lower than anything seen in the CEC stream since mid-2025, suggesting a slight softening in competitiveness for candidates with Canadian work experience.
Also Read Canada Conducts Second Express Entry CEC Draw of the Month
A New CRS Benchmark for CEC Candidates
The November 26 selection round resulted in 1,000 candidates receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Those chosen met two criteria:
- A minimum 531 CRS score, and
- An eligible Express Entry profile submitted before October 8, 2025, at 7:02 p.m. UTC
The score of 531 breaks what had become a repetitive pattern in past CEC draws, where the cut-off consistently hovered above the 533 mark. This adjustment marks the first downward movement in several months and reflects the lowest threshold observed for this stream since July’s 518-point draw.
Although the CRS has shifted, IRCC continues to maintain the steady batch of 1,000 invitations per CEC draw, an approach the department has sustained since early August.
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Express Entry Selections Throughout 2025
IRCC’s latest round is one of five draws held in November, each belonging to a distinct program category. Together, these selection rounds illustrate the wide range of priorities shaping Canada’s immigration strategy this year.
Table 1: Express Entry Draw Activity in 2025
| Date | Category | ITAs Issued | CRS Requirement |
| Nov 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 531 |
| Nov 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| Nov 14 | Healthcare & Social Services | 3,500 | 462 |
| Nov 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| Nov 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
| Oct 29 | French-Language Candidates | 6,000 | 416 |
| Oct 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| Oct 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| Oct 15 | Healthcare & Social Services | 2,500 | 472 |
| Oct 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| Oct 6 | French-Language Candidates | 4,500 | 432 |
| Oct 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sep 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| Sep 18 | Trade Occupations | 1,250 | 505 |
| Sep 17 | Education Stream | 2,500 | 462 |
| Sep 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| Sep 4 | French-Language Candidates | 4,500 | 446 |
| Sep 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sep 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| Aug 19 | Healthcare & Social Services | 2,500 | 470 |
| Aug 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| Aug 8 | French-Language Candidates | 2,500 | 481 |
| Aug 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Aug 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| Jul 22 | Healthcare & Social Services | 4,000 | 475 |
| Jul 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| Jul 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| Jul 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| Jun 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| Jun 23 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| Jun 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| Jun 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| Jun 4 | Healthcare & Social Services | 500 | 504 |
| Jun 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare & Social Services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education Stream | 1,000 | 479 |
| Apr 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| Apr 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| Mar 21 | French-Language Candidates | 7,500 | 379 |
| Mar 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| Mar 6 | French-Language Candidates | 4,500 | 410 |
| Mar 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| Feb 19 | French-Language Candidates | 6,500 | 428 |
| Feb 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| Feb 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| Feb 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| Jan 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| Jan 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| Jan 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
IRCC’s Thematic Priorities in 2025
Draws in 2025 demonstrate that Canada has allocated most of its rounds to provincial nominees, followed closely by CEC applicants and French-language candidates. Occupation-based streams in healthcare, education, and trades have also played a consistent role.
Table 2: Number of Draws by Stream (2025)
| Stream | Draw Count |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 22 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 13 |
| French-Language Category | 7 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 6 |
| Education Stream | 2 |
| Trade Occupations | 1 |
Distribution of Invitations Issued This Year
With 88,476 invitations already extended in 2025, French-speaking applicants received the largest share, while CEC candidates formed the second-largest group. This distribution reflects IRCC’s dual focus: expanding French-speaking populations and supporting individuals with Canadian labour market experience.
Table 3: Total ITAs by Category (2025)
| Category | ITAs Issued |
| French-Language Candidates | 36,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,850 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,376 |
| Education Stream | 3,500 |
| Trade Occupations | 1,250 |
What This Means for Prospective Applicants
The most recent CEC score drop may be viewed as a promising shift for candidates hoping for more accommodating thresholds in the months ahead. While IRCC’s selection patterns remain varied across categories, the lowering of requirements—especially in a high-volume month- may indicate a gradual easing for certain streams as the year progresses.
