Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new round of Express Entry invitations, targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. On October 28, 2025, 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to CEC candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 533. To qualify, candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile prior to 4:16 a.m. UTC on March 21, 2025.
This marks the sixth Express Entry draw in October and highlights Canada’s continued focus on drawing skilled professionals with Canadian work experience. The Canadian Experience Class is one of the three main Express Entry programs and is designed for individuals who have already gained skilled work experience within Canada, making them strong candidates for economic integration.
So far in 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system has issued 74,485 ITAs across various categories. This includes targeted draws for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), CEC, candidates with high French-language proficiency, and those working in priority sectors such as healthcare, education, and trades.
A breakdown of Express Entry draws this year shows that PNP draws remain the most frequent, with 20 events focused on provincial nominations. CEC draws follow with 11, while the government has also prioritized French-speaking candidates (6 draws), healthcare workers (5 draws), educators (2 draws), and skilled trades professionals (1 draw).
In comparison to earlier CEC-focused draws, the required CRS score for this round was slightly lower than the October 1st draw (534 points), indicating a small but noteworthy change in cut-off scores. The Express Entry system continues to be dynamic, with scores fluctuating based on the volume and quality of candidate profiles in the pool.
IRCC’s approach demonstrates a clear strategy: balancing federal objectives while working with provincial partners, and adapting to Canada’s evolving labour market needs. As Canada moves forward in 2025 and beyond, candidates with in-demand skills, strong language proficiency, and Canadian work experience will continue to have competitive advantages.
According to Maple News, with only two months left in the calendar year, further draws are anticipated to help Canada meet its immigration targets. Prospective applicants should monitor the Express Entry pool closely, as timing and readiness can significantly impact their chances in these high-stakes rounds.