Express Entry: Canada Invites 1,000 CEC Candidates in Latest Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream. This marks the second Express Entry draw in just two days, signaling increased activity in Canada’s immigration selection process.
Key Highlights of the Draw:
- Date of Draw: August 7, 2025
- Stream: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Number of Invitations Issued: 1,000
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: 534
- Tie-breaking rule applied to candidates who submitted profiles before: 6:22 a.m. UTC, August 3, 2025
This draw follows the August 6 PNP draw, where 225 invitations were issued with a much higher CRS requirement of 739, reflecting the additional 600 points PNP nominees receive.
What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
The CEC stream is designed for individuals who already have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. It is one of the fastest routes to permanent residency (PR), especially for international graduates and temporary foreign workers who have integrated into the Canadian labor market.
The lower CRS cut-off (534 compared to 739 for PNP) makes the CEC draw an attractive option for many candidates who may not have provincial nominations but have solid Canadian work experience.
Breakdown of 2025 Express Entry Draws (So Far)
| Draw Type | Number of Draws | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 | Thousands |
| Canadian Experience Class | 8 | Thousands |
| French-language Proficiency | 3 | Thousands |
| Healthcare/Social Services | 3 | Thousands |
| Education | 1 | 1,000 |
Total ITAs issued in 2025 so far: 50,628
This recent draw demonstrates the Canadian government’s ongoing effort to prioritize candidates already living and working in Canada, particularly those with relevant experience and a higher likelihood of successful integration.
CRS Score Trends: Is 534 Good Enough?
For context, here are the most recent CEC-specific draws and their cut-off scores:
- July 8 – 3,000 ITAs, CRS: 518
- June 26 – 3,000 ITAs, CRS: 521
- June 12 – 3,000 ITAs, CRS: 529
- May 13 – 500 ITAs, CRS: 547
- February 19 – 4,000 ITAs, CRS: 521
- January 23 – 4,000 ITAs, CRS: 527
As seen above, the cut-off score of 534 in the August 7 draw falls within the recent trend of mid-500s. This indicates that the competition is high, and only strong profiles are being invited.
Implications for Express Entry Candidates
- Strong profiles with Canadian work experience have a significant advantage under the CEC stream.
- PNP nominations remain crucial for candidates with lower CRS scores to secure invitations.
- Profile creation date matters – candidates must act quickly to benefit from new draws and tie-breaking rules.
- Category-based selections (e.g., healthcare, French language) are still ongoing and may be ideal for targeted professions.
- Regular profile updates and improving language scores, education equivalencies, and job experience can raise CRS rankings.
What Experts Say
According to immigration consultants, the latest draw reinforces the message that Canadian work experience continues to be a highly valuable asset in the Express Entry system. For candidates currently in Canada on post-graduate work permits or employer-based LMIA-exempt work permits, this draw represents a promising opportunity.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Canada held a CEC Express Entry draw on August 7, 2025, inviting 1,000 candidates.
- The CRS cut-off was 534, slightly higher than previous CEC draws.
- Candidates needed to have created their profiles before August 3, 2025 (6:22 a.m. UTC).
- The draw signals continued focus on Canadian Experience Class candidates.
- CEC is a strong pathway to PR for those already working in Canada.
- Total Express Entry ITAs in 2025 now exceed 50,600, with majority issued through PNP and CEC.
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