Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw, targeting candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw marks the second of August and underlines IRCC’s continued emphasis on experienced talent already contributing to Canada’s economy.
To qualify for this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534. Additionally, they must have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 6:22 a.m. UTC on August 3, 2025. The elevated cutoff reflects increasing competition among CEC applicants, many of whom are already living and working in Canada on temporary status.
This draw follows several diverse selection rounds in recent weeks, including a July 22 category-based draw for healthcare and social services candidates, where 4,000 candidates were invited with a CRS cut-off of 475, and a July 21 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw that saw 202 ITAs issued at a significantly higher cutoff of 788.
As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 50,628 Express Entry invitations in 2025. The majority of these have been allocated through PNP-focused draws, but the year has also featured targeted rounds for French-speaking applicants, those in healthcare, education, and now, again, the Canadian Experience Class.
Reviewing 2025 trends, IRCC has conducted 14 PNP draws, 7 CEC draws, and 3 each for French-language proficiency and healthcare-related occupations. One draw has specifically targeted education professionals. This mix signals IRCC’s ongoing strategy to balance general economic priorities with Canada’s labour market needs and demographic goals.
CEC candidates continue to be a key focus of the Express Entry program, offering a streamlined path to permanent residence for those with existing Canadian work experience. This category plays a crucial role in Canada’s immigration system by encouraging skilled workers to transition from temporary to permanent status.
Today’s announcement shows that while overall draw numbers may fluctuate, CEC remains a significant avenue for economic-class immigrants. As IRCC adapts to evolving priorities, candidates are encouraged to monitor program changes, update their profiles, and maintain strong CRS scores to remain competitive.
Stay informed with Maple News for the latest updates on Canadian immigration policy and Express Entry developments.