On December 16, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw through the Express Entry system, issuing a total of 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

To be considered in this draw, candidates were required to meet both of the following criteria:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 515; and
• An Express Entry profile created before 6:58 p.m. (UTC) on September 9, 2025.

Lowest CRS cut-off for CEC in 2025

The CRS cut-off of 515 represents the lowest score recorded for Canadian Experience Class draws in 2025. Prior to this round, the lowest CRS threshold for the program this year stood at 518 points. The decline in the cut-off is widely viewed as a positive signal for candidates with Canadian work experience.

Second consecutive week of CEC draws

This marks the second CEC draw held in as many weeks. Over the two-week period, IRCC has issued a combined total of 11,000 ITAs to CEC candidates. Traditionally, Express Entry draws are conducted on an alternating-week schedule, making this back-to-back draw a departure from the usual cadence. It also contrasts sharply with recent CEC rounds, which featured higher CRS thresholds and invitation volumes limited to approximately 1,000 candidates.

A busy December for Express Entry

This draw is the fifth Express Entry round conducted in December. It follows:

• A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 15;
• A healthcare and social services occupation-specific draw on December 11; and
• The largest Canadian Experience Class draw in more than 16 months, held on December 10.

Express Entry activity in 2025

As of this draw, IRCC has issued a total of 107,998 Invitations to Apply through the Express Entry system in 2025. Throughout the year, draw activity has focused primarily on Provincial Nominee Program candidates, alongside Canadian Experience Class applicants, French-language proficient candidates, and those in priority occupation categories.

Number of draws by category in 2025

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 24 draws
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 15 draws
• French-language proficiency: 8 draws
• Healthcare and social services: 7 draws
• Education: 2 draws
• Trades: 1 draw

ITAs issued by draw type to date

Based on cumulative invitation data, the majority of ITAs issued in 2025 have gone to French-language proficiency and Canadian Experience Class candidates:

• French-language proficiency: 42,000 ITAs
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 35,850 ITAs
• Healthcare and social services: 14,500 ITAs
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 10,898 ITAs
• Education: 3,500 ITAs
• Trades: 1,250 ITAs

Overall, the data indicates that IRCC continues to prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience, French-language ability, and backgrounds in high-demand public service and professional sectors. With the CRS cut-off for CEC draws falling significantly toward year-end, attention is now turning to whether IRCC will maintain a lower-score, higher-volume invitation strategy in upcoming rounds.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025