Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in its latest Express Entry draw held on October 1, 2025. This draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534, consistent with the previous two CEC-targeted draws held on September 3 and August 7.
The October 1 draw marks the 40th round of invitations in 2025 under the Express Entry system and the 370th overall since the program’s launch. According to IRCC’s tie-break rule, if multiple candidates have the cutoff CRS score, only those who submitted their profiles before February 21, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EST were invited in this round.
Just days earlier, on September 29, IRCC conducted a separate draw targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, inviting 291 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 855. These high scores reflect the additional points granted for provincial nominations, a key advantage for candidates pursuing that pathway.
As of October 1, Canada has issued 65,838 ITAs through Express Entry in 2025, following a total of 98,903 in all of 2024. Recent trends show a shift toward targeted draws, including those for French-language proficiency, healthcare, trades, tech, and education-focused candidates.
So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted 18 PNP draws, 10 CEC draws, five French-language draws, two education-focused draws, four healthcare-related draws, and one for trade occupations. These targeted rounds allow IRCC to align immigration with labour market needs and regional priorities.
The Express Entry program remains a key component of Canada’s economic immigration strategy. It provides a streamlined, points-based pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residence. Candidates who receive an ITA have 60 days to submit a complete application, with processing times typically within six months.
IRCC encourages candidates to enhance their profiles with factors such as arranged employment or provincial nominations. These elements can significantly increase their CRS score and chances of receiving an ITA.
Employers looking to recruit foreign talent are advised to consider Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) or collaborate with PNPs to support immigration offers. These strategies help attract and retain skilled workers amid tightening labour markets across various industries.
Overall, the consistency of CEC draw sizes and cut-off scores signals Canada’s ongoing commitment to retaining experienced temporary residents and converting them into permanent residents—a central goal of the country’s long-term immigration plan.