Express Entry: IRCC Issues 1,000 Invitations in Latest CEC Draw

Canada’s immigration department has issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw. This round, held for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, took place on August 7, 2025. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534. They also had to submit their Express Entry profile before 6:22 a.m. UTC on August 3, 2025.

CEC Candidates in Focus
CEC draws target people who already have Canadian work experience. These applicants often adapt quickly to life in Canada because they have already worked and lived here. The new draw comes just one day after a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw that invited 225 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 739.

Express Entry Activity in 2025
The August 7 draw is the second CEC-specific round this month. The first happened on July 8, inviting 3,000 candidates with a cut-off score of 518. Earlier this year, CEC draws have generally had CRS cut-offs ranging from 518 to 547.

So far in 2025, Canada has issued a total of 50,628 ITAs across all Express Entry draws. This includes PNP, CEC, French-language proficiency, and category-based draws for priority occupations such as healthcare, social services, and education.

Breakdown of 2025 Draws

• PNP: 14 draws
  
• CEC: 8 draws
  
• French-language proficiency: 3 draws
  
• Healthcare and social services: 3 draws
  
• Education: 1 draw
  

Highlights of Recent Rounds
The latest CEC draw follows a busy period for Express Entry. On July 22, Canada held a large healthcare and social services draw that invited 4,000 candidates with a CRS score of 475. On July 21, a PNP draw invited 202 candidates with scores of at least 788.

CEC draws remain important for candidates already working in Canada. This pathway is often faster for those who meet the criteria because they do not need to secure a provincial nomination or meet a special category requirement.

What This Means for Applicants
With CRS cut-offs above 530 in recent CEC draws, candidates aiming for this category will likely need strong work experience, language scores, and education credentials to compete. Creating a complete and accurate profile before the cut-off time is also crucial.

The latest selection shows that Canada continues to balance its immigration invitations among skilled workers with Canadian experience, those nominated by provinces, French-speaking candidates, and people in key job sectors.

If current trends continue, more CEC draws are expected in the coming months, giving qualified candidates more chances to receive an ITA.