Express Entry: IRCC launches second CEC draw within two weeks

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada opened a fresh round of invitations for Canadian Experience Class candidates this week. The department invited 1,000 people who hope to gain permanent residency through the Express Entry system. Officials set the minimum score at 533. Candidates also needed to create their profiles before 3:39 a.m. UTC on October 17, 2025.

This round marked another busy moment in a year filled with steady activity. Many hopeful newcomers watched the results with interest, since CEC draws often attract skilled workers who already live and work in Canada.

Express Entry Activity Builds Through 2025

IRCC increased the pace of draws throughout the year. The department held draws for several groups, such as CEC applicants, French-speaking candidates, and Provincial Nominee Program applicants. Each draw shaped the pool in different ways and gave thousands of candidates new chances to move forward.

Officials released a long list of results that showed a very active year. In early November, the department held a Provincial Nominee Program draw on November 10. A French-language draw took place on October 29. A CEC draw followed on October 28. These draws added to a long string of selection rounds that stretched back to January.

CEC draws appeared often, with several taking place each month. The cut-off scores varied but generally stayed above 500. French draws also played a major role. They often produced large numbers of invitations and helped strengthen the share of French-speaking newcomers.

Healthcare and social services draws also shaped this year’s rounds. These draws supported sectors that needed trained workers. Education and trade draws took place as well, though less often.

A Look at the Year’s Totals

IRCC issued 82,223 invitations through Express Entry so far this year. The numbers showed clear trends. PNP draws occurred more often than any other category. CEC draws followed next. French-language draws stood out due to their size, since several reached more than 4,000 invitations.

The department held 21 PNP draws, 12 CEC draws, and seven French-language draws. It also held five draws for healthcare and social services, two for education, and one for trades. This mix created a diverse group of candidates who received invitations.

The total number of invitations also revealed strong momentum. French draws led the year with 36,000 invitations. The CEC program followed with 23,850 invitations. Healthcare and social services draws reached 9,792 invitations. PNP draws issued 7,963 invitations. Education draws reached 3,500 invitations. Trade draws sent out 1,250 invitations.

These numbers showed strong demand in many areas. They also revealed the wide range of skills that Canada aimed to attract this year. Many candidates continued to watch the pool as the year moved forward, hoping for lower scores or more frequent draws.

IRCC signalled ongoing activity for the coming months. The latest draw added more confidence for candidates waiting for their chance.