Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw in over 16 months, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system. This draw, held on December 10, 2025, marks a significant milestone for CEC applicants seeking permanent residence.
To qualify for this round, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 520 and needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 5:30 p.m. UTC on July 15, 2025. Notably, this draw lowered the cut-off score from the 533–534 range seen in recent CEC draws, signaling greater accessibility for qualified candidates already living and working in Canada.
This is the second Express Entry draw in December, following a range of recent activity from IRCC. Earlier in the month, the department issued over 1,100 ITAs through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 8 and 5,000 more CEC invitations on December 17 – further underscoring the department’s commitment to expediting the permanent residency process for skilled workers already contributing to Canada’s workforce.
2025 has seen a diverse strategy in Express Entry draws, with IRCC issuing a total of 105,599 ITAs thus far. While a significant portion of invitations have targeted PNP nominees, large draws have also focused on categories such as French-language proficiency and in-demand occupations like healthcare, education, and trades.
The recent draw is a welcome shift for CEC candidates, who have faced high CRS thresholds for the past few months. With a lower cut-off score and higher number of invitations, this move is likely to renew confidence among temporary residents with Canadian work experience who aspire to transition to permanent residency.
These developments also indicate that IRCC is actively responding to labour market needs while supporting immigration pathways for those already integrated into Canadian society.
Express Entry remains a key driver of Canada’s economic immigration strategy. Through this system, IRCC manages applications for three main federal immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class — while also bearing integration with provincial nomination streams.
Maple News will continue to monitor Express Entry trends and report on future draws, providing insights for candidates and stakeholders navigating Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.