In its largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of 2025, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on 10 December. The results were released publicly on 13 December by The Financial Express. The Comprehensive Ranking System cut-off was 520—down 11 points from the previous CEC-only round in November—reflecting both depleted pools after targeted draws and the department’s year-end push to meet admissions targets.
For applicants and employers who also need to manage travel documentation—whether it’s an Electronic Travel Authorization for an upcoming business trip or a temporary resident visa while waiting for permanent residence—VisaHQ can streamline the process. The company’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides quick online applications, real-time tracking, and expert support, helping candidates and their families stay compliant and on schedule throughout the Express Entry journey.
The draw brings 2025’s cumulative ITAs to more than 100,000 across all Express Entry categories, keeping Ottawa on track to admit roughly 119,000 principal applicants and dependants under federal economic programmes next year.
![Express Entry: Canada Issues 6,000 CEC Invitations, CRS Cut-Off Drops to 520]()
Why it matters to business: CEC candidates already have at least one year of Canadian skilled work experience, meaning they can transition quickly to permanent residence and are exempt from many provincial settlement-fund requirements. Employers who have retained workers on Post-Graduation Work Permits or employer-specific LMIA exemptions can leverage the draw to improve retention, as a confirmation of permanent residence generally allows open mobility in the labour market once issued.
For applicants, the lower CRS threshold underscores the importance of timing: candidates who updated language test results or obtained a provincial nomination before the draw gained a competitive edge. Consultants expect at least one more Express Entry round—possibly category-based—before IRCC pauses selections over the Christmas holidays.
Next steps: Applicants who receive an ITA must submit their e-APR within 60 days. Given recent biometric backlogs, advisors recommend booking appointments immediately after submission to avoid delays, especially for families outside major urban centres.
For applicants and employers who also need to manage travel documentation—whether it’s an Electronic Travel Authorization for an upcoming business trip or a temporary resident visa while waiting for permanent residence—VisaHQ can streamline the process. The company’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides quick online applications, real-time tracking, and expert support, helping candidates and their families stay compliant and on schedule throughout the Express Entry journey.
The draw brings 2025’s cumulative ITAs to more than 100,000 across all Express Entry categories, keeping Ottawa on track to admit roughly 119,000 principal applicants and dependants under federal economic programmes next year.
Why it matters to business: CEC candidates already have at least one year of Canadian skilled work experience, meaning they can transition quickly to permanent residence and are exempt from many provincial settlement-fund requirements. Employers who have retained workers on Post-Graduation Work Permits or employer-specific LMIA exemptions can leverage the draw to improve retention, as a confirmation of permanent residence generally allows open mobility in the labour market once issued.
For applicants, the lower CRS threshold underscores the importance of timing: candidates who updated language test results or obtained a provincial nomination before the draw gained a competitive edge. Consultants expect at least one more Express Entry round—possibly category-based—before IRCC pauses selections over the Christmas holidays.
Next steps: Applicants who receive an ITA must submit their e-APR within 60 days. Given recent biometric backlogs, advisors recommend booking appointments immediately after submission to avoid delays, especially for families outside major urban centres.
