Express Entry Update: IRCC Issues 6,000 CEC Invitations in the Largest Draw in 16 Month
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in one of the biggest Express Entry draws of 2025. This is the largest CEC draw in more than 16 months, marking an important turning point for skilled workers in Canada seeking permanent residency.
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Key Details of the Latest CEC Draw
- ITAs issued: 6,000
- Minimum CRS score: 520
- Profile submission deadline: Before 5:30 PM UTC, July 15, 2025
- Largest CEC round since July 16, 2024
- CRS cut-off dropped significantly from the previous 533–534 range
This significant decrease in the CRS score improves the chances for thousands of temporary residents and skilled workers currently living and working in Canada.
Why This Draw Is Important
For the past several months, CEC draws have had high CRS requirements, making it difficult for many qualified applicants to receive an ITA. With the cut-off now reduced to 520, more candidates with Canadian experience are seeing real opportunities to move forward toward permanent residency.
This draw signals a renewed focus by IRCC on:
- Retaining skilled workers already contributing to the Canadian labour market
- Clearing the backlog of candidates stuck at the previous high CRS scores
- Increasing the frequency and size of CEC draws
For many, this draw marks an important shift in Express Entry trends.
Recent Express Entry Activity
This is the second Express Entry draw in December and follows several targeted draw types:
- December 8: The largest PNP draw of the year
- November 28: A large French-language proficiency draw
- November 26: A Canadian Experience Class draw
IRCC is clearly balancing general and category-based draws to address labour shortages across different sectors.
Express Entry Draw Counts in 2025
IRCC has issued a total of 105,599 ITAs so far in 2025.
Number of draws by category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 22 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 14 |
| French-language Proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
These numbers show that PNP and CEC remain major pathways for applicants to receive ITAs.
ITAs Issued by Category in 2025
| Category | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| French | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 30,850 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 13,500 |
| PNP | 9,376 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
Insights
- French-language category draws have issued the highest number of invitations.
- CEC is the second-largest pathway, highlighting the strong demand for candidates with Canadian experience.
- Healthcare, education, and trades continue to be priority occupations due to ongoing shortages.
What This Draw Means for Applicants
If you fall under the categories of CEC, French-language proficiency, PNP, Healthcare, Education, or Trades, the chances of receiving an ITA remain strong.
Now is the ideal time to take the following steps:
- Improve your CRS score
- Retake IELTS/CELPIP or TEF/TCF if required
- Obtain your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Gain additional work experience
- Explore PNP options for additional CRS points
- Seek expert guidance to optimize your Express Entry profile
World Overseas Immigration can guide you through each of these stages with complete accuracy and support.
How World Overseas Immigration Supports Your Canada PR Journey
World Overseas Immigration provides end-to-end support for Express Entry and CEC applicants, including:
Express Entry Profile Creation
Accurate NOC selection, CRS calculation, and profile submission.
CRS Improvement Planning
Strategies tailored to boost language scores, education, job offers, or provincial nomination chances.
CEC Application Guidance
Dedicated support for temporary residents and international graduates applying under CEC.
PNP Application Support
Expert handling of leading provincial programs such as Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
Documentation and Processing
Support with ECA, medical exams, police clearance, biometrics, and PR application processing.
Transparent Procedures
Clear communication at every stage with no hidden fees.
Is This the Right Time to Apply for Canada PR Visa?
Yes. This is a strong period for:
- Skilled workers already inside Canada
- Candidates with CRS scores between 470 and 520
- French-speaking applicants
- Professionals in healthcare, education, IT, trades, and social services
- Students completing Canadian education programs
The current Express Entry trends show that more CEC and category-based draws are expected soon.