Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another round of invitations through the Express Entry system, specifically targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. In the draw held on November 25, 2025, 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to receive an ITA in this draw was 531.
This draw marks a significant shift in the pattern observed over recent months for CEC-specific draws. The CRS cut-off score of 531 is the lowest since July 8, 2025, when candidates with a minimum score of 518 were invited. It also breaks a long-standing score threshold of 533–534, which had remained constant for the past five CEC draws since August.
To qualify for this round, candidates had to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 7:02 p.m. UTC on October 8, 2025. The draw continues the consistent trend of issuing 1,000 ITAs per round for CEC candidates, a pattern maintained since August 7. This was the 13th CEC-focused draw of the year, reaffirming the government’s commitment to leveraging the experience of individuals already working in Canada.
This latest CEC draw is part of a busy November for IRCC, making it the fifth Express Entry invitation round this month. It follows earlier draws for CEC on November 12, healthcare category candidates on November 14, and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on November 25.
Overall, 2025 has seen a diverse range of draws under the Express Entry system, encompassing categories like healthcare, trades, education, and French-language proficiency. The targeted category-based draws introduced this year continue to align Canada’s immigration efforts with labor market needs and demographic priorities.
Lowering the CRS score threshold provides a positive signal for CEC candidates who are seeking permanent residency, many of whom are already contributing to the Canadian workforce. As the government maintains a steady pace of draws and knee-deep engagement with category-based initiatives, eligible candidates would do well to stay updated and ensure their profiles remain competitive.
Maple News will continue to bring you the latest developments on Express Entry and future IRCC policies.