Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 5,000 new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in a draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates.

To be invited in this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 515 and to have created their Express Entry profile before 6:58 p.m. (UTC) on September 9, 2025.

Second CEC Draw in Two Weeks

This draw marks the second Canadian Experience Class selection in as many weeks. Together, the two recent CEC draws have resulted in 11,000 invitations being issued, a notable shift from the smaller CEC draws seen earlier in the year.

IRCC typically conducts Express Entry draws every other week, making this back-to-back selection an unexpected but welcome development. It also departs from the recent pattern of CEC draws that combined high CRS cut-offs with limited invitation numbers.

The CRS cut-off of 515 is the lowest recorded for a CEC draw in 2025. Prior to this round, the lowest cut-off for the year stood at 518.

December Draw Activity

This was the fifth Express Entry draw in December. It followed a Provincial Nominee Program draw earlier in the month, a healthcare and social services occupation draw, and a large CEC draw held on December 10—the largest of its kind in the past 16 months.

Express Entry Activity in 2025

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 111,998 ITAs through the Express Entry system.

Draws this year have focused heavily on Provincial Nominee Program candidates, alongside significant selections for Canadian Experience Class candidates, French-language proficiency candidates, and applicants in priority occupation categories.

Number of draws by category in 2025:

• Provincial Nominee Program: 23
• Canadian Experience Class: 15
• French-language proficiency: 9
• Healthcare and social services: 6
• Education: 2
• Trades: 1

ITAs issued by category in 2025:

• French-language proficiency: 48,000
• Canadian Experience Class: 36,850
• Healthcare and social services: 13,500
• Provincial Nominee Program: 9,775
• Education: 3,500
• Trades: 1,250

What This Means for Candidates

The increased frequency of CEC draws and the declining CRS cut-off may signal improved opportunities for candidates with Canadian work experience. While Provincial Nominee Program draws continue to dominate in volume, recent trends suggest renewed momentum for Canadian Experience Class candidates as the year comes to a close.

Express Entry Draws – 2025 Summary