Express Entry: CEC monthly second draw drops CRS to lowest since July / November 27, 2025

Express Entry: CEC monthly second draw drops CRS to lowest since July

IRCC ran another CEC round and sent invitations to 1,000 candidates who reached a CRS score of 531.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held a new Express Entry draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates. Officers invited 1,000 applicants. They set the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score at 531. Candidates needed to create their Express Entry profile before 7:02 p.m. UTC on October 8, 2025. The department continues its steady pace of invitations as the year nears its end.

CRS Score Drops After Long Standstill

The new score breaks a long pattern. Recent CEC draws held a cut-off stuck at either 533 or 534 points. That streak held since early August. The latest draw ends that gridlock. It also marks the lowest score for a CEC draw since July 8, when officers invited 3,000 candidates with a CRS of 518.

The CEC stream keeps its regular size. The program continues to issue 1,000 invitations in every draw since August 7. This latest round marks the thirteenth CEC draw of the year. It also adds to a busy month. Officials held four other draws in November, including one for the Provincial Nominee Program on November 25 and another CEC draw on November 12. They also invited healthcare workers on November 14.

Express Entry Activity in 2025

IRCC shows a strong pace in 2025. The system issued 88,476 invitations so far. The year saw a mix of draw types, though the Provincial Nominee Program leads. Officers held 22 PNP draws to date. The Canadian Experience Class follows with 13 draws. French-language draws reached seven. Healthcare and social services saw six. Two draws targeted education workers. One focused on trades.

The number of invitations varies by category. French-language draws lead the year with 36,000 invitations. The CEC program follows with 24,850. Healthcare and social services draws issued 13,500. PNP draws accounted for 9,376. Education draws issued 3,500. The trades draw invited 1,250 candidates.

A Busy Year Nears Its Final Stretch

The latest draw highlights a shifting trend. The lower CRS score gives more hope to skilled workers in Canada. Many candidates watch the numbers closely as the year winds down. Officers may continue to adjust scores as the system balances several categories. The CEC stream remains a key part of the Express Entry system. The draw also shows that scores can shift even late in the year.

The Express Entry landscape in 2025 stays active. Draws target a wide range of skills and backgrounds. Candidates with strong Canadian experience, French ability, or priority job skills continue to receive steady attention. Many applicants hope for more movement in December as the final draws approach.

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