Canada's Latest Express Entry Draw: CEC-Specific Round Issues 3,000 Invitations with Lowest Score Since September 2024
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again issued a new round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Express Entry pool, bringing positive news for many applicants with Canadian work experience.
In this latest draw, IRCC issued 3,000 invitations to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This is the second draw of the month and another round specifically targeting the CEC category, following a similar draw on June 26.
Candidates who received an invitation in this round needed to meet the following two criteria:
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518.
- Have created their Express Entry profile before October 2, 2024, at 01:48 UTC. This serves as the tie-breaking rule, meaning that in the case of a tie at 518 points, candidates who submitted their profile earlier received priority.
The score cutoff of 518 is the lowest recorded since September 2024, representing a positive signal for applicants in the CEC category.
Reviewing recent draw activity, IRCC appears to be establishing a regular invitation pattern. This CEC draw was preceded by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on July 7, another CEC draw on June 26, and a PNP draw on June 23. This pattern of alternating between PNP and CEC draws roughly every two weeks provides a degree of predictability for applicants from different backgrounds.
Looking at the data for 2025, as of today, IRCC has issued a total of 45,201 ITAs through the Express Entry system. This year's draw strategy has shown a clear focus. Draws for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have been dominant in number, with the remaining ITAs allocated to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), those with French-language proficiency, and candidates in the new priority occupation categories (such as healthcare, social services, and education).
The breakdown of draws in 2025 is as follows:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 12 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 7 draws
- French-language proficiency: 3 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 2 draws
- Education: 1 draw
This year's Express Entry strategy clearly favors candidates in the PNP stream as well as those with specific advantages, such as Canadian experience, French-language proficiency, or backgrounds in in-demand occupations. This reflects the targeted and flexible nature of Canada's immigration policy, aimed at precisely filling labor market needs across the provinces. Future draw trends will continue to be a key point of focus for prospective immigrants.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3000 | 518 |
| July 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 3000 | 521 |
| June 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 504 |
| June 3 | 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 |
Ontario Announces New Regulations to Streamline Certification for Interprovincial Professionals
The Government of Ontario has recently announced a major reform framework known as "As of Right," designed to break down interprovincial barriers and significantly simplify the certification process for professionals in regulated occupations coming from other Canadian provinces. The new rules, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, will shorten the certification period from the current several months to as little as 10 business days, thereby promoting free labour mobility within Canada. This initiative will not only have a profound impact on professions like architects and engineers but also establishes a special fast-track entry for certain healthcare professionals from Canada and the United States, potentially creating new opportunities for individuals seeking to immigrate through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
09/08/2025
Ontario PNP Issues Over 1,800 Invitations, Targeting In-Canada Candidates in High-Demand Occupations
On September 3, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted two pivotal draws, issuing 1,893 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination to candidates already residing in Canada and possessing job offers in 77 specific priority occupations. These draws primarily targeted the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and Employer Job Offer: International Student streams, with minimum scores of 42 and 63, respectively. Notably, these invitations were issued following the shift to an employer-led application process in Ontario's immigration system, underscoring the province's ongoing demand for specific skilled talent and reflecting its dynamic adjustments to immigration policy.
09/05/2025
Canada's Latest Express Entry Draw Issues 4,500 Invitations to French-Speaking Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its third Express Entry draw of the week on September 4, 2025, specifically inviting candidates with French-language proficiency. A total of 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued in this round, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 446. This draw highlights the Canadian immigration system's continued emphasis on supporting Francophone communities and attracting candidates with specific skills.
09/05/2025
Alberta PNP Targets Law Enforcement Professionals in New Draw, Minimum Score Hits 2025 Low
On August 19, 2025, the province of Alberta conducted a targeted draw through its Provincial Nominee Program's (AAIP) Law Enforcement Pathway. While fewer than 10 invitations were issued, the minimum qualifying score was only 45, one of the lowest this year. This dedicated immigration stream aims to help the province recruit police and other law enforcement professionals to address local public safety and recruitment objectives. Data reveals that despite the low score, competition remains high due to a limited annual quota and a significant number of candidates in the pool.
09/04/2025
Canada Issues New Round of Express Entry Invitations, Focusing on Canadian Experience Class
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its latest Express Entry draw on September 3, 2025. This draw specifically targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), issuing a total of 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for invited candidates was 534. This draw marks the ninth invitation round for this category so far this year.
09/04/2025
Canada Invites 249 PNP Candidates in First Express Entry Draw of September
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of September on September 2, 2025, issuing 249 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 772. Data indicates that the PNP continues to be the primary category for invitations in 2025, highlighting its central role in Canada's immigration system.
09/03/2025
Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Issues New Invitations, Targeting Candidates in Northern Ontario and Specific Communities
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held five targeted provincial nomination draws on August 28, 2025, issuing a total of 468 invitations to apply to eligible candidates. These invitations primarily focused on two categories of applicants: foreign workers and international students with job offers in Northern Ontario, and candidates who qualify for the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program with an employer job offer in a specific community. This round of invitations again highlights Ontario's strategic direction of using immigration policy to address labour shortages in specific regions.
09/02/2025
Saskatchewan Receives Increased Immigration Allocation, Creating New Opportunities for Priority Sectors
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has announced that its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) has received an additional 1,136 nominations from the federal government, bringing its total annual allocation to 4,761. This adjustment reopens application pathways for several sectors that were previously paused due to reaching their caps. Against a backdrop of diverging immigration allocation trends across Canada, this development in Saskatchewan, along with increases in several other provinces, highlights the complex and evolving landscape of federal and provincial immigration policies.
08/29/2025
PEI PNP Update: Eighth Draw of 2025 Targets In-Province Skilled Workers and Graduates from Designated Institutions
On August 21, 2025, Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI) held its eighth Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draw of the year, issuing a total of 132 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates. This draw continued to focus on applicants already living and working in the province in high-demand occupations, with special priority given to international graduates from three designated local post-secondary institutions. To date, PEI has issued a cumulative total of 792 invitations in 2025.
08/28/2025
British Columbia Holds New Entrepreneur Immigration Draw, Score Requirements Shift
The province of British Columbia held a new Provincial Nominee Program draw on August 19, 2025, exclusively targeting candidates in the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) category. A total of no more than 16 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued through the Base and Regional Pilot streams. The results confirm a clear trend in 2025, with the BC PNP prioritizing business and investment streams, marking this the sixth entrepreneur-focused draw of the year.
08/27/2025
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