First CEC Express Entry Draw Since February Sends 500 PR Invitations
After a months-long pause, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) resumed Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws under the Express Entry system in May 2025. On May 13, 2025, IRCC issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a CEC-only draw, marking a significant step for skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
The draw, which had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 547, was the first CEC-specific draw since earlier in the year. This resumption comes after a period where IRCC prioritized other categories, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and French-language proficiency streams.
Earlier in 2025, IRCC had shifted its focus primarily to PNP draws. For instance, in April 2025, only two Express Entry draws were held, both targeting PNP candidates, with a total of 1,246 ITAs issued. This marked a departure from the more balanced approach seen in previous months, where CEC draws were a regular part of the Express Entry system.
The May 13 draw’s CRS cut-off score of 547 was notably higher than earlier CEC draws. For example, in February 2025, CRS cut-offs for CEC draws ranged from 521 to 542. By July 2025, CRS cut-offs had dropped further, with a record-low of 518 on July 8, 2025, when 3,000 ITAs were issued.
The focus on CEC candidates is strategic. These individuals already have Canadian work experience, making them highly integrated into the local labor market. IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 aims to welcome over 124,000 permanent residents through Express Entry this year, with nearly half of these invitations projected to go to CEC applicants.
The decision to resume CEC draws also addresses the growing competition in the Express Entry pool. As of late April 2025, the distribution of CRS scores showed high competition, particularly for CEC candidates, due to a backlog of high-scoring applicants waiting for invitations. The May 13 draw, while requiring a relatively high CRS score of 547, opened the door for subsequent draws to lower the cut-off as the backlog cleared.
In summary, the resumption of CEC-specific Express Entry draws in May 2025 is a positive development for skilled workers with Canadian work experience. The May 13 draw, with its 500 ITAs and CRS cut-off of 547, signals IRCC’s renewed commitment to this immigration pathway—a trend that continued and expanded in the following months.
Source: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/first-cec-express-entry-draw-may-2025/
Implications and Future Outlook of the Resumed CEC Draws
The resumption of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws in May 2025 marked a significant shift in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) strategy. Following the May 13 draw, which issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 547, subsequent draws indicated a trend towards lower CRS requirements. By July 8, 2025, IRCC issued 3,000 ITAs with a record-low CRS cut-off of 518, signaling a potential easing of competition for CEC candidates.
This strategic adjustment reflects IRCC’s broader immigration goals. The Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 aims to welcome over 124,000 permanent residents through Express Entry, with nearly half allocated to CEC applicants. This emphasis on CEC underscores the value placed on candidates with Canadian work experience, who are seen as well-integrated into the local labor market.
The shift from focusing on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and French-language streams earlier in the year to resuming CEC draws in May highlights IRCC’s balanced approach. While PNP draws, such as those in April 2025 issuing 1,246 ITAs, were prioritized, the resumption of CEC draws addresses the growing backlog and high competition in the Express Entry pool observed in late April 2025.
Looking ahead, the trend of lowering CRS cut-offs post-May suggests that IRCC may continue to issue larger, more frequent CEC draws. This could provide opportunities for candidates with lower CRS scores, offering renewed hope for those awaiting their chance to apply for permanent residence.
In conclusion, the resumption of CEC-specific Express Entry draws in May 2025, followed by the July draw’s lower CRS cut-off, aligns with IRCC’s strategic immigration plan. This approach not only highlights the importance of CEC as a key pathway for skilled workers but also demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to balancing its immigration streams to meet the country’s labor market needs.
Source: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/first-cec-express-entry-draw-may-2025/
Conclusion
The resumption of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws under the Express Entry system in May 2025 marks a pivotal moment for skilled workers with Canadian work experience. The May 13 draw, issuing 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a CRS cut-off of 547, demonstrated IRCC’s renewed focus on this pathway. As subsequent draws in July 2025 saw lower CRS cut-offs (reaching a record-low of 518), it became clear that IRCC is committed to clearing the backlog and creating opportunities for CEC candidates.
This strategic shift aligns with IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027, which aims to welcome over 124,000 permanent residents through Express Entry, with a significant portion allocated to CEC applicants. By prioritizing CEC, IRCC is leveraging the integration and labor market contributions of candidates already in Canada, ensuring a balanced approach to immigration that meets the country’s economic needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program under the Express Entry system designed for skilled workers who have gained work experience in Canada. It provides a pathway to permanent residence for individuals who are already integrated into the Canadian labor market.
2. Why did IRCC resume CEC-specific Express Entry draws in May 2025?
IRCC resumed CEC-specific draws to address the growing backlog of applicants and align with the Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027. This plan emphasizes the importance of CEC as a key pathway for skilled workers with Canadian experience.
3. What was the CRS cut-off score for the May 13, 2025, CEC draw?
The CRS cut-off score for the May 13, 2025, CEC draw was 547. This was higher than earlier draws but reflected the high competition in the Express Entry pool at the time.
4. How does the resumption of CEC draws impact applicants?
The resumption of CEC draws provides opportunities for skilled workers with Canadian experience to apply for permanent residence. Subsequent draws with lower CRS cut-offs, such as the July 8, 2025, draw (CRS 518), indicate that IRCC is working to clear the backlog, potentially opening doors for candidates with lower scores.
5. What does the future hold for CEC-specific Express Entry draws?
Based on recent trends, IRCC is expected to continue issuing CEC-specific draws with potentially lower CRS cut-offs. This could create more opportunities for candidates who may have been waiting in the pool with lower scores, aligning with IRCC’s goal of welcoming over 124,000 permanent residents through Express Entry in 2025.
