Latest Express Entry Update: IRCC Issues 1,000 ITAs for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Candidates – Full 2025 Breakdown

Canada continues to strengthen its immigration pathways through consistent and targeted Express Entry draws. The latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) brings positive news for many skilled workers living in Canada — particularly those under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

This blog provides a complete breakdown of the most recent CEC draw, year-to-date draw patterns, Express Entry pool competitiveness, and new insights from IRCC’s latest 2024 Express Entry report.

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Latest CEC Draw: 1,000 Invitations Issued (November 12, 2025)

IRCC issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Canadian Experience Class.

Eligibility Cut-offs

• CRS minimum score: 533

• Profile submission deadline: Before March 21, 2025 – 4:16 a.m. UTC

This is the fourth consecutive CEC draw with the same pattern:

• 1,000 ITAs

• CRS score around 533

Why this matters

CEC-specific draws give a significant advantage to:

• International graduates with Canadian work experience

• Temporary foreign workers on PGWP or employer-specific permits

• Candidates who struggle to compete with high CRS cut-offs in general draws

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Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

Below is a simplified snapshot of the major draws so far:

• CEC Draws: Frequent and consistent (12 total so far)

• PNP Draws: Most common draw type (21 draws)

• French Proficiency Draws: High ITA volumes with low CRS scores

• Healthcare & Social Services Draws: Strong focus due to labour shortages

The lowest CRS scores remained in the French-language proficiency category — sometimes dropping below 420.

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How Competitive Is the Express Entry Pool in 2025?

As of October 26, 2025, the pool had 248,253 candidates.
Interestingly, the number of profiles reduced by 2,740, but competition increased.

Key changes:

• Major increase in 501–600 CRS range (+1,466 profiles)

• Slight boost in 601–1200 range (+18 profiles)

• Major decline in 431–450 range (−1,588 profiles)

This clearly shows:

• High-scoring foreign workers and PNP candidates continue to dominate

• Lower scoring ranges are shrinking

• Category-based draws are changing applicant strategies

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French Proficiency Draw: 6,000 ITAs Issued (October 29, 2025)

This was the third-largest draw of 2025, requiring:

• CRS score: 416

• Profile submission: Before September 8, 2025

French category draws remain the easiest route into Express Entry due to:

• Low CRS cut-offs

• High national demand for French-speaking skilled workers outside Quebec

• Canada’s mandate to strengthen bilingualism

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ITAs Issued by Stream in 2025 (to date)

Category	ITAs Issued
French-language	36,000
Canadian Experience Class	23,850
Healthcare & Social Services	13,292
Provincial Nominee Program	7,963
Education	3,500
Trade	1,250

French-speaking candidates are receiving the most invitations — a historic shift from previous years.

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NEW IRCC REPORT (2024): Who Actually Gets PR Through Express Entry?

IRCC’s 2024 report reveals surprising insights:

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1️⃣ Foreign Work Experience is More Important Than Canadian Experience

• 34% of invited candidates had no Canadian work experience at all

• But 99% had some form of foreign work experience

• Only 1% of invited candidates had no foreign experience

Why?

Foreign work experience boosts:

• Skills transferability points

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) eligibility

• CRS score significantly

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2️⃣ Canadian Work Experience Still Helps — But Up to 2 Years Is Enough

• 56% of invited applicants had 2 years or less Canadian experience

• Means long-term Canadian work experience is NOT mandatory

Real-world example:

Ayesha, an international student from India, secured PR with:

• 1 year Canadian experience

• 3 years foreign experience

• IELTS CLB 9

• No job offer

Her blend of Canadian + foreign experience made her competitive.

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3️⃣ French Category Draws Had the Lowest CRS Cut-offs (Average: 409)

This made Express Entry more accessible to:

• Francophone African nationals

• International graduates who write TEF Canada

• Skilled workers planning to settle outside Quebec

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4️⃣ Top Occupations Invited in 2024

Most Common Professions

• Software Engineers & Developers

• Food Service Supervisors

• Administrative Assistants

• Secondary School Teachers

• Registered Nurses

• User Support Technicians

Even roles not listed under targeted NOC categories still received ITAs through general or CEC draws.

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5️⃣ Indians Continue to Lead ITA Numbers

• 43,004 Indian citizens received ITAs in 2024

• India remains the top source of skilled immigrants

Growing influence of Francophone Africa

Countries like:

• Cameroon

• Nigeria

• Morocco

• Algeria
  are rapidly rising due to French proficiency draws.

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Real-Time Use Cases: How These Trends Help Applicants

Use Case 1: International Graduate in Canada

Profile: 1 year Canadian experience, CRS 515
Opportunity: CEC draw (CRS around 533)
Strategy: Improve CRS by:

• Retaking IELTS for CLB 10

• Learning French for extra 50 points

Result: Candidate jumps to CRS 550+ and receives ITA.

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Use Case 2: Skilled Worker Overseas with French Skills

Profile: 5 years foreign experience, TEF Canada CLB 7
Benefit: French category draw — CRS cut-off around 416
Result: Receives ITA even without Canadian experience.

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Use Case 3: Healthcare Worker in Demand

Profile: Nurse with 3 years foreign experience
Opportunity: Healthcare-targeted draw
Result: CRS need is lower (460–480), making PR easier.

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Use Case 4: PNP Applicant

Profile: CRS 460
Strategy: Apply for a provincial nomination
Result: CRS becomes 1060 → gets ITA through PNP draw.

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Final Thoughts: What This Means for Express Entry Applicants

The 2025 Express Entry landscape shows:

• CEC draws remain steady and predictable

• French-speaking candidates have a major advantage

• Healthcare and trades draws create new PR opportunities

• CRS competition is increasing in higher bands

• Foreign work experience remains crucial for FSWP candidates

If you are planning your Express Entry strategy:

• Focus on boosting language scores

• Consider French-language testing

• Gain foreign + Canadian experience combinations

• Explore PNP pathways

• Maintain an active and updated profile