Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry round on June 26, 2025. This draw targeted candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521—eight points lower than the previous CEC-specific draw held on June 10. The reduction in the cut-off score marks a continued effort to widen access to permanent residence for experienced workers already in Canada.
This was the 23rd Express Entry draw of 2025 and the 353rd overall since the system’s launch. The draw also followed a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific round on June 12, where 503 candidates were invited with a significantly higher cutoff CRS of 742. The use of the tie-breaking rule—a mechanism to determine which candidates receive invitations when multiple applicants share the lowest ranked CRS score—came into effect for this round with the date set at November 21, 2024, at 11:56 a.m. EST.
So far in 2025, Canada has conducted 23 Express Entry draws across a variety of categories. These include 11 for PNP candidates, six CEC-specific rounds, three French language proficiency draws, and targeted draws for education, healthcare, and social services occupations. This reflects the government’s increasingly strategic use of category-based selection to meet Canada’s labor market needs and demographic goals.
Looking back at 2024, IRCC issued 98,903 ITAs—a continuation of Canada’s strong immigration targets. The department previously issued 110,266 ITAs in 2023 and a record-breaking 114,431 in 2021, the latter exclusively targeting candidates in the CEC and PNP categories. These figures underscore Canada’s sustained reliance on skilled immigration to support economic growth and an aging workforce.
Candidates who receive an ITA through Express Entry have 60 days to submit their full application for permanent residence. IRCC aims to process these applications within six months under standard timelines, making it one of the fastest paths to immigration in Canada.
With regular draws continuing in 2025, Express Entry remains a reliable route for skilled workers already in Canada through temporary stay programs. The Canadian Experience Class is particularly popular among temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have gained work experience in the country.
Employers looking to support foreign workers are encouraged to consider Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) or to nominate candidates through provincial pathways to bolster long-term worker retention. These options not only strengthen an applicant’s immigration profile but also align with Canada’s focus on addressing sector-specific labor shortages.
For candidates eyeing a future invitation, securing a valid job offer and improving language scores remain effective strategies. Express Entry continues to evolve, and staying informed about draw trends and eligibility criteria is crucial.
Maple News will continue to deliver the most up-to-date insights into Canada’s immigration programs as the federal government refines its selection strategies for skilled immigrants.