On November 26 2025, IRCC conducted its sixth Canadian Experience Class (CEC)–specific Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off dropped to 531—its lowest level since July—indicating a modest easing of competition among domestic candidates.
The consistent CEC-only draws reflect a strategic tilt toward candidates already working in Canada, a group viewed as lower-risk for labour-market integration. So far in 2025, IRCC has run 22 Provincial Nominee Program draws, 12 Canadian Experience Class rounds, and several category-based invitations targeting health-care, education, trades, and French-language proficiency. For employers, the message is clear: retaining international employees who have Canadian experience remains one of the most reliable routes to permanent residency.
![Latest CEC Express Entry draw invites 1,000 candidates with CRS cut-off of 531]()
A CRS threshold of 531 is still high by historical standards, but the downward trend from earlier rounds (which hovered around 534) suggests that more mid-level professionals in IT, engineering, and business services may now clear the bar. Employers with global mobility programs should proactively help eligible staff assemble documentation—such as language test results and reference letters—before the next draw.
The draw also illustrates why timing matters in Express Entry. IRCC applied a tie-breaking rule of October 8 2025, meaning profiles submitted earlier received priority if they shared the same CRS score. International employees who have not yet entered the pool risk missing low-scoring windows.
Looking ahead, immigration consultants anticipate at least one category-based draw before month-end, possibly for French-speakers or health-care workers. Companies wanting to secure talent pipelines should monitor IRCC’s draw calendar and consider provincial nomination streams as a backup.
The consistent CEC-only draws reflect a strategic tilt toward candidates already working in Canada, a group viewed as lower-risk for labour-market integration. So far in 2025, IRCC has run 22 Provincial Nominee Program draws, 12 Canadian Experience Class rounds, and several category-based invitations targeting health-care, education, trades, and French-language proficiency. For employers, the message is clear: retaining international employees who have Canadian experience remains one of the most reliable routes to permanent residency.
A CRS threshold of 531 is still high by historical standards, but the downward trend from earlier rounds (which hovered around 534) suggests that more mid-level professionals in IT, engineering, and business services may now clear the bar. Employers with global mobility programs should proactively help eligible staff assemble documentation—such as language test results and reference letters—before the next draw.
The draw also illustrates why timing matters in Express Entry. IRCC applied a tie-breaking rule of October 8 2025, meaning profiles submitted earlier received priority if they shared the same CRS score. International employees who have not yet entered the pool risk missing low-scoring windows.
Looking ahead, immigration consultants anticipate at least one category-based draw before month-end, possibly for French-speakers or health-care workers. Companies wanting to secure talent pipelines should monitor IRCC’s draw calendar and consider provincial nomination streams as a backup.
