On October 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another targeted Express Entry draw, inviting 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 533, and only those who had created their profiles before March 21, 2025, at 4:16 a.m. UTC were considered.
This marks the 11th CEC draw of the year and the fourth consecutive round offering 1,000 invitations, signaling IRCC’s sustained focus on candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy through local work experience.
Details of Express Entry Draw #375
The October 28 draw showcased IRCC’s steady pace in program-specific selections. Key highlights include:
Draw Date: October 28, 2025
Program Type: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Invitations Issued: 1,000
Minimum CRS Score: 533
Tie-Breaker Rule: March 21, 2025, at 4:16 a.m. UTC
This was the second CEC draw in October, following one on October 1 with nearly identical results: 1,000 ITAs and a CRS cut-off of 534.
Overview of the Draw
The October 28 draw highlights IRCC’s evolving immigration strategy, which prioritizes work-ready talent already integrated into Canadian life. By focusing on CEC candidates, IRCC aims to convert temporary residents into permanent ones, ensuring smoother economic and social adaptation.
Unlike the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, which rely heavily on provincial nominations and often require higher CRS scores (typically above 750), CEC draws favor individuals who have already demonstrated success in Canada’s labor market. This approach reduces settlement challenges and increases retention, aligning with Ottawa’s goal of long-term workforce stability.
The purpose behind this draw is twofold:
To retain skilled professionals already trained and working in Canada under valid work permits.
To maintain consistency in immigration intake while avoiding backlogs that arise from all-program draws.
For candidates, this pattern sends a clear message: gaining Canadian work experience continues to be one of the most direct routes to permanent residency. The repeated CEC-specific rounds also indicate that IRCC is likely using this stream to manage intake during high-application periods, balancing between domestic and overseas applicants.
Impact on Immigration Trends
The impact of this draw goes beyond the 1,000 invitations. It underscores IRCC’s shift toward program-driven selection, where each draw targets a precise group of candidates based on economic needs.
As Canada continues to address labor shortages in multiple sectors, retaining international graduates and temporary foreign workers becomes crucial to sustaining economic growth.
For those in Canada under Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) or skilled-worker visas, the draw signals continued opportunity but also rising competition, given the CRS threshold above 530.
International students transitioning to the workforce are expected to remain key contributors in future CEC rounds, strengthening Canada’s skilled labor base.
Focus Section: The Growing Role of the CEC Stream
With 11 CEC draws held so far in 2025, the program has become a cornerstone of IRCC’s immigration model. Its consistent invitation sizes and manageable CRS range show that the government values candidates who have proven adaptability and commitment to the Canadian system.
At a time when other streams, like French-language or healthcare-based draws, fluctuate widely in size, the CEC program offers predictability and stability. The October 28 draw reinforces that work experience within Canada remains one of the most significant factors for success under Express Entry.
Canada Express Entry Draw List 2025
Total ITAs issued in 2025: 70,985