On July 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through a targeted Express Entry draw, focusing exclusively on candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score needed was 518. This is three points lower than the last CEC draw on June 26.
IRCC chose to prioritise CEC candidates to keep skilled workers who have already proven themselves in Canada.
The draw is expected to align with the country's 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which sets an ambitious target of welcoming 124,680 new permanent residents through the Express Entry system this year alone.
By lowering the cut-off score and prioritising Canadian work experience, IRCC is making it clear that skilled workers who have already adapted to life and work in Canada will be preferred for future draws as well.
For candidates who reach the 518-point cut-off, timing is also a factor. If multiple people had the same score, only those who submitted their profiles before October 2, 2024, at 1:48:36 UTC received invitations this round.
Let's checkout the latest trends of Canada Express Entry draws in 2025
In 2025, Express Entry draws have seen higher CRS score requirements, especially for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). CRS scores have remained on the higher side this year, ranging from 518 to 547. While larger draws—like this one with 3,000 ITAs—tend to bring down the cut-off score, smaller draws often result in higher competition.
A major Express Entry update in 2025 is the removal of CRS points for job offers. This change places a stronger emphasis on language proficiency, education, and Canadian work experience. The goal is to reduce fraud and ensure that genuine skilled workers get their chance at Canadian permanent residency.
Canada immigration 2025 is all about targeted, category-based draws. IRCC now favouring draws for priority sectors like healthcare, education, skilled trades, and French-speaking candidates. These category-based draws have lower CRS cut-offs—sometimes as low as 410 for French language proficiency.
In 2025, the Canadian Experience Class is taking center stage as IRCC focuses on candidates with recent Canadian work experience. The shift creates a smoother path for international graduates and temporary skilled workers to transition from temporary status to permanent residency. It’s a clear sign that the federal government wants to retain skilled individuals who are already making a positive impact on the Canadian economy.
Fluency in French continues to be a strong advantage. The federal government is actively encouraging more French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by holding special draws and lowering CRS score requirements for them, making it easier for fluent French speakers to secure permanent residency.
For the first time, Canada's Express Entry updates include a dedicated category for education professionals. Teachers and early childhood educators now have a more direct route to Canadian PR. At the same time, as Canada works to address labour shortages healthcare and skilled trades professionals continue to be top priorities.
If you want to succeed in the Express Entry system, focus on improving your CRS score through language tests, gaining Canadian work experience, and targeting in-demand occupations.
In 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) a top priority, regularly inviting skilled workers with Canadian work experience to apply for PR. This year, Express Entry draws have also included Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates and special rounds for French-language proficiency and key occupations. Still, CEC remains front and center for many hopeful immigrants.
Here's a quick look at all the CEC-specific Express Entry draws in 2025:
| Draw Date 2025 | Number of Invitations (ITAs) | CRS Cut-Off Score |
|---|---|---|
| January 8 | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 23 | 4,000 | 527 |
| February 5 | 4,000 | 521 |
| May 13 | 500 | 547 |
| June 12 | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 26 | 3,000 | 521 |
Total ITAs Issued to CEC Candidates in 2025: 15,850
CRS Cut-Off Range: 521–547
In 2025, the CRS score for CEC draws dropped as low as 521, with that number appearing in both February and June. With IRCC consistently inviting 3,000 or more applicants in each round, the cut-off scores are starting to feel more within reach for many hopeful candidates.
If this pattern continues, we could see future CEC draws with CRS cut-offs edging even closer to 500—opening the door for many more hopeful candidates to pursue permanent residency in Canada.
So, if you’ve gained Canadian work experience and your CRS score is somewhere in the low 500s, now is a great time to update your Express Entry profile and stay tuned for upcoming draws.
Keep an eye on Express Entry updates and category-based draws to maximize your chances of receiving an ITA for Canada permanent residency.
Follow ImmiLaw Global to stay informed, to get expert insights, real-time Express Entry results, and practical tips to boost your chances of Canadian permanent residency.
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