Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched the first Express Entry draw of October 2025 by inviting 1,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw continues Canada’s trend of targeted efforts to welcome skilled and experienced workers already contributing to the Canadian economy.
To be eligible for this round, candidates were required to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 4:01 a.m. UTC on February 21, 2025.
This draw marks the ninth time in 2025 that the IRCC has targeted Canadian Experience Class candidates specifically. The CEC stream is designed for skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience and wish to transition to permanent residency more seamlessly.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued over 65,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system, across a variety of targeted categories, including the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, education, and trades.
Category-based selection in Express Entry has gained emphasis this year, with IRCC holding 18 draws for PNP applicants, 9 for CEC candidates, 5 for French-speaking applicants, 4 for those in health and social services, and a few more for education and skilled trades.
Notably, the most recent CEC draw held the same CRS cut-off score of 534, indicating a consistent trend in selection thresholds for this category.
Canada continues to use Express Entry as a strategic tool to invite candidates who meet specific labour market needs. By targeting groups such as CEC applicants and French-speaking professionals, Canada is not only filling skill shortages but also supporting long-term economic growth and demographic sustainability.
As Express Entry evolves with category-focused draws, candidates are advised to regularly update their profiles and follow IRCC announcements to stay competitive in upcoming rounds.