IRCC holds biggest CEC draw in 16 months — 6,000 Invitations to Apply issued as CRS cut-off falls to 520
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a large round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry on December 10, 2025, inviting 6,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 520 and applied only to profiles created before 5:30 p.m. UTC on July 15, 2025.
This is the largest CEC invitation round since July 16, 2024 — a notable shift after a string of smaller draws that kept the CEC cut-off clustered around 533–534 for several rounds. The size and cut-off of this draw give many in-Canada skilled workers renewed hope that IRCC will continue to alternate large program-specific draws with targeted category rounds.
Key details at a glance
- Draw date: December 10, 2025
- Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Number of ITAs: 6,000
- CRS cut-off: 520
- Profile creation cut-off: Profiles created before 5:30 p.m. UTC on July 15, 2025
- Total ITAs issued by IRCC in 2025 (to date): 105,599
Why this draw matters
- Relief for CEC candidates: The 520 cut-off is materially lower than recent CEC thresholds of 533–534, meaning a broader set of Canada-based skilled workers can now receive ITAs. For many candidates who have steady Canadian experience but lacked higher CRS scores, this draw represents a tangible opportunity.
- Program-focused strategy continues: 2025 has been dominated by program- and category-specific rounds (French-language, healthcare, PNP, education, trades). IRCC appears to be using large, targeted CEC draws at intervals to clear backlogs and prioritize applicants with Canadian work experience.
- Timing and profile age matter: IRCC limited eligibility to profiles created before a specific date. Candidates who updated profiles after July 15, 2025, or who only recently entered the pool may need to wait for another targeted round or pursue alternative pathways (PNP, category draws).
Who likely benefited
- Skilled temporary residents already working in Canada (on work permits, PGWPs, or other valid status) with at least some Canadian work experience and CRS scores around the low 500s.
- Candidates who optimized their profiles earlier in 2025 (language tests, ECAs, work documentation) and met the profile-creation timing requirement.
- Those who augmented profiles with qualifying spouse/partner factors or additional documentation to boost core human-capital and transferability points.
How this draw fits into 2025 trends
IRCC’s Express Entry activity in 2025 has leaned heavily on targeted selection:
- Most common draw types: PNP (22 draws), CEC (14 draws), French-language (8 draws), Healthcare category (6 draws).
- Top ITA contributors (2025 to date): French-language rounds (≈42,000 ITAs) and Canadian Experience Class (≈30,850 ITAs).
- Total ITAs issued in 2025: 105,599 — a year of high-volume, strategic invitation rounds rather than frequent general draws.
Practical takeaways for candidates
- Keep your Express Entry profile live and accurate. Update changes to language scores, education, work experience and contact details immediately.
- If your profile was created after July 15, 2025, consider provincial nominee routes, category-based draws (healthcare, STEM, education, trades), or improving CRS through language tests, additional credentials, or a spousal principal-applicant strategy.
- Prepare documents in advance. If you receive an ITA, you’ll need police certificates, medicals and employer documentation quickly — having these ready shortens processing and reduces stress.
- Watch ministerial instructions and draw patterns. IRCC’s continued use of large program-specific draws suggests preparation focused on program eligibility (e.g., Canadian work experience for CEC) is a sound strategy.
Bottom line
The December 10 CEC round — 6,000 ITAs at a CRS 520 threshold — is a significant opening for skilled workers already in Canada. IRCC’s 2025 approach of mixing large targeted draws with occupational and language-based invitations gives multiple pathways for candidates to plan around; having a current profile, strong documentation, and a strategy to boost CRS remains crucial.
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