Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a new Express Entry draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. The July 8, 2025 draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518—a slight decrease from the previous CEC draw on June 26, which also issued 3,000 ITAs but required a minimum score of 521.
This draw follows a smaller Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific round on July 7, 2025, in which 356 candidates received invitations with a minimum CRS score of 750. The use of program-specific draws reflects Canada’s evolving strategy of aligning immigration with labour market needs.
The July 8 selection marks the 25th round of invitations issued through Express Entry in 2025 and the 355th since the program’s inception. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was applied to candidates who submitted their profiles before October 1, 2024, at 9:48 p.m. EST, ensuring transparency in cases where multiple candidates shared the same CRS score.
So far in 2025, Canada has conducted 12 PNP draws, seven CEC draws, and additional rounds focused on French-speaking candidates, healthcare, education, and social services. This reflects IRCC’s growing emphasis on targeted draws to address specific skill shortages and demographic goals.
Canada has issued a total of 45,201 Express Entry invitations in 2025, continuing a pattern of high-volume admissions. For context, IRCC issued 98,903 ITAs in 2024, 110,266 in 2023, and a record-setting 114,431 in 2021, most of which were for CEC and PNP candidates during the pandemic recovery period.
Candidates invited in the July 8 draw now have 60 days to submit their permanent residence applications, with most processed within IRCC’s six-month service standard.
For hopeful applicants, improving their CRS score remains key. Securing a valid job offer or a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective strategies to receive an invitation in future draws. As Canada’s immigration system becomes increasingly focused on targeted selection, staying informed and prepared is essential.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on Express Entry trends and draw outcomes as Canada’s immigration landscape evolves.