Canadian Experience Class Candidates Receive 1,000 ITAs in Latest Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its most recent Express Entry draw, targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 533 and applied to profiles created before 4:16 a.m. (UTC) on March 21, 2025.
This round reinforces IRCC’s ongoing emphasis on retaining skilled workers already in Canada and is part of a steady sequence of CEC draws the department has held throughout 2025.
Draw details and eligibility conditions
- Draw type: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- ITAs issued: 1,000
- Minimum CRS score: 533
- Profile creation cut-off: Before 4:16 a.m. (UTC), March 21, 2025
Candidates who met the CRS threshold and who had eligible CEC profiles in the Express Entry pool as of the profile cut-off date received invitations to apply for permanent residence. Successful ITA recipients now have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence under the standard Express Entry timelines.
How this draw fits into 2025 selection activity
IRCC has been running a mix of category-based and stream-specific draws throughout 2025 in order to meet labour market needs and balance regional priorities. The October 28 draw is the eleventh CEC draw of the year and the fourth consecutive CEC draw featuring 1,000 ITAs with a CRS score near 533.
Recent notable draws in October include targeted selections for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominees, French-language proficiency candidates, and sector-specific rounds for healthcare and social services workers. IRCC’s approach this year has combined large category draws with targeted PNP invitations to advance both national and provincial priorities.
Express Entry activity and totals for 2025
To date in 2025, IRCC has issued 74,485 ITAs across all Express Entry categories. Distribution by stream shows strong emphasis on French-language candidates and Canadian Experience Class registrants:
- French-language proficiency: 30,000 ITAs
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 22,850 ITAs
- Healthcare and social services: 9,792 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 7,249 ITAs
- Education: 3,500 ITAs
- Trade occupations: 1,250 ITAs
IRCC’s use of frequent category-based draws (including multiple CEC invitations) demonstrates its intent to both retain temporary skilled talent in Canada and support francophone immigration and priority occupations.
What candidates should do now
- If you received an ITA: Prepare and submit a complete permanent residence application within the 60-day deadline. Ensure all supporting documents—work records, language test results, police certificates, medical exams and proof of status—are in order.
- If you did not receive an ITA: Review your Express Entry profile and CRS score. Consider improving language results, gaining additional qualifying work experience, securing a provincial nomination, or obtaining other qualifying factors that could raise your CRS score.
- For all candidates: Stay informed of the specific document and police-check requirements, and plan medical exams early where needed to avoid processing delays.
Short context: Why CEC draws matter
The Canadian Experience Class prioritizes applicants who already have Canadian work experience and are likely to integrate quickly into the labour market. By holding periodic CEC draws with sizeable invitation counts, IRCC preserves a pathway for temporary workers and recent Canadian graduates to transition to permanent resident status, supporting labour market stability and retention.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
