IRCC has once again issued ITAs through the Express Entry System, marking the first draw of October 2025. This draw specifically targeted CEC candidates, skilled workers with Canadian work experience, seeking permanent residency.
In this latest round, 1000 invitations were issued to CEC candidates who achieved a minimum CRS score of 534. To qualify, applicants must have created their Canada Express Entry profiles before February 21, 2025, at 4.01 a.m.
This draw continues IRCC’s pattern of conducting monthly CEC-specific rounds, reaffirming its commitment to recognising the contributions of foreign workers already integrated into the Canadian workforce.
Recent Express Entry Trends in 2025
According to official statistics, this is the 10th CEC draw of the year and the third consecutive draw with the same size and CRS cut-off. This consistent approach indicates IRCC’s strategic effort to maintain a balanced intake of candidates across categories while supporting those with prior Canadian employment experience. The first draw of October follows a busy end to September, which featured three consecutive rounds under different categories.
|
Draw Date |
Draw Type |
Number of ITAs Issued |
CRS Cut-off Score |
Key Highlights |
|
October 1, 2025 |
CEC |
1,000 |
534 |
10th CEC draw of 2025; third consecutive draw with the same CRS cut-off. Reflects IRCC’s balanced focus on domestic talent. |
|
September 29, 2025 |
PNP |
291 |
855 |
Targeted draw for high-scoring provincial nominees. |
|
September 18, 2025 |
Trade Category |
1,250 |
505 |
Focused on skilled trade professionals to meet labour shortages. |
|
September 17, 2025 |
Education Category |
2,500 |
462 |
Targeted candidates with Canadian education credentials. |
Total ITAs issued by IRCC through Express Entry in 2025 are 66,838
Breakdown of 2025 Express Entry Draws
The year 2025 has been dynamic for Express Entry, with draws spanning multiple categories, reflecting the targeted immigration priorities of Canada. Here is the current distribution of draws by type:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 18 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 10 draws
- French-Language Proficiency: 6 draws
- Healthcare and Social Services: 4 draws
- Education Category: 2 draws
- Trade Category: 1 draw
The French proficiency and CEC categories have seen the highest number of invitations. This highlights Canada’s emphasis on bilingual talent and domestic work experience.
Total ITAs by Category 2025
- French: 30,000
- Canadian Experience Class: 21,850
- Healthcare and Social Services: 7,500
- Provincial Nominee Program: 6,947
- Education: 3,500
- Trade: 1,250
What This Means for CEC Candidates
The CEC remains one of the most accessible pathways to permanent residency for individuals already contributing to the Canadian workforce. With the CRS cut-off holding steady at 534 in recent months, candidates with Canadian credentials, work experience and strong language proficiency continue to have a competitive advantage.
IRCC’s consistent draw pattern suggests continued recognition of the value that CEC candidates bring, skilled professionals who have already adapted to the labour market and culture of the country.
As IRCC continues to align its immigration strategy with the evolving workforce needs of Canada, CEC candidates remain well-positioned to benefit from upcoming draws.
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