Third Express Entry draw of the week issues 6,000 additional ITAs

Canada’s Express Entry system has kept a steady rhythm through 2025, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using a mix of Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and category-based selection draws to shape who receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

The latest round, held on December 17, invited 5,000 CEC candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 515. It followed another large CEC draw on December 10 that issued 6,000 ITAs at a slightly higher cut-off of 520. For many temporary residents working in Canada, those back-to-back results reinforce a clear message: CEC remains one of the most reliable pathways for high-scoring, Canada-experienced candidates.

What happened in Express Entry in 2025

By draw volume, PNP dominated the calendar. There were 23 PNP draws, more than any other type. CEC followed with 15 draws, and French-language proficiency draws came next with 8. Healthcare and social services had 6 draws, education had 2, and trades had 1.

But the number of draws does not tell the full story. When you look at total invitations issued, French-language proficiency leads by a wide margin, with 42,000 ITAs issued in 2025. CEC is close behind at 36,850. Healthcare and social services accounted for 13,500 ITAs. PNP issued 9,775, while education and trades issued 3,500 and 1,250 respectively.

That gap highlights how IRCC can run frequent draws in a stream like PNP but still keep overall invitation numbers modest, while using fewer, larger category draws to move the needle faster.

CRS trends: what the cut-offs suggest

Several patterns stand out from 2025’s cut-off scores:

• CEC cut-offs stayed high and relatively tight, often landing in the low to mid 520s for many of the year’s smaller draws. The largest late-year rounds brought the CRS down slightly, including 520 on December 10 and 515 on December 17. Earlier peaks included a 547 cut-off in mid-May during a smaller CEC round.
• PNP cut-offs remained very high, commonly in the 700s and sometimes higher. This is expected because a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, pushing nominated candidates to the top of the pool.
• French-language proficiency draws repeatedly posted the lowest CRS thresholds, dipping as low as 379 in March, with other large French draws in the low 400s later in the year. These rounds also tended to be very large, including multiple draws issuing 4,500 to 7,500 ITAs.

In practical terms, a candidate sitting around the low 400s without a nomination is unlikely to be competitive in CEC based on 2025 results, but may have a strong opportunity if they qualify under French-language category selection.

What this means if you want to immigrate to Canada

1) Working in Canada continues to pay off.
The consistent CEC activity, capped by two large December draws, suggests IRCC is still prioritizing applicants who are already integrated into the labour market. If you are on a work permit, the difference between qualifying and not qualifying for CEC can be decisive.

2) French ability is not just a bonus, it is a strategy.
French-language proficiency draws led the year in total ITAs and had significantly lower CRS cut-offs than most other draw types. For many candidates, improving French could be the most realistic path to an invitation, especially if their CRS score is not competitive in CEC-style ranges.

3) A provincial nomination remains powerful, but not simple.
PNP draws happened often, yet they issued fewer total ITAs than CEC and French selection. A nomination can essentially guarantee an invitation through Express Entry, but it depends on provincial criteria, occupation needs, and timing. It is not a quick fix for everyone.

4) Category-based selection is shaping outcomes.
Healthcare and social services draws were meaningful in scale, including a 3,500-ITA draw in November and several mid-year rounds. For candidates in eligible occupations, category selection can shift the competitive landscape quickly.

What to watch next

If late 2025 is a sign of what comes next, applicants should watch for three signals: whether IRCC keeps running large CEC draws, whether French draws remain large and frequent, and whether category-based rounds expand beyond healthcare and education. Together, those choices will determine whether CRS scores stay elevated for general candidates or begin to ease for targeted groups.

For would-be immigrants, the takeaway from 2025 is straightforward: Canada is still issuing large numbers of invitations, but the easiest route depends heavily on your profile. Canadian work experience and French proficiency stood out as the strongest levers this year, while PNP continued to reward candidates who can secure provincial backing.

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