Canada’s immigration system saw a major development on December 10, 2025, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an Express Entry draw in the latest express entry draw under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
This marked the largest CEC-only draw since mid-2024, breaking a long period of smaller invitation rounds with high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-offs. The latest round has brought renewed hope to skilled temporary workers and international graduates already in Canada who have been waiting for greater opportunities to secure permanent residency.
Details of the December 10 Draw
Draw Number: Express Entry Round #384
Date of Draw: December 10, 2025
Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Invitations Issued (ITAs): 6,000
Minimum CRS Score: 520
Tie-Breaking Rule: Profiles submitted before July 15, 2025 at 17:30:33 UTC
Significance: Largest CEC draw in over 16 months, marking a break from the smaller volume pattern seen earlier in the year.
Overview and Purpose of the Draw
The Canadian Experience Class stream is designed to help skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience transition to permanent residency without requiring a provincial nomination or a job offer.
By issuing a large number of ITAs through the CEC category, IRCC aims to rapidly reduce the backlog of qualified candidates in the Express Entry pool who have been waiting through months of high cut-offs.
This high-volume round also supports Canada’s labour market needs, especially in sectors where experienced workers are essential for economic growth and productivity.
The draw reinforces Canada’s strategy of welcoming skilled temporary residents who already understand the local job market and have demonstrated success in Canadian workplaces.
The CRS cut-off for this draw was 520, and a draw of this size is significant because CEC rounds in 2025 had previously hovered at much smaller invitation volumes, often around 1,000 ITAs, with cut-offs in the low to mid-530s.
Impact on Immigration and Applicants
For many applicants, especially those with CRS scores in the 520–530 range, this round represents a major opportunity that was not available in earlier 2025 CEC draws.
The large number of invitations issued at this cut-off will likely accelerate the number of permanent residency approvals and help more temporary workers achieve long-term stability in Canada.
By creating a stronger pathway for in-Canada workers, IRCC is contributing to economic resilience, skilled migrants can immediately continue filling labour gaps without the delay of international relocation processes.
Recent CEC Draw Context
Earlier in 2025, many CEC draws issued around 1,000 ITAs each with cut-offs above 530, making it difficult for candidates with scores in the low 500s to receive invitations.
The December 10 draw is now the largest CEC-only round of the year, opening opportunities for a wider segment of candidates who were previously below the cut-off threshold.
With this CEC draw added to the year’s total, IRCC has issued well over 100,000 ITAs in 2025, demonstrating sustained immigration activity across multiple pathways.
As Canada approaches 2026, IRCC may continue to adjust its Express Entry draws to meet evolving labour market demands, including exploring new categories or streamlining pathways for priority workers.