Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its sixth Express Entry round of October on 28 October 2025, inviting 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. Applicants needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 533 and to have filed a profile before 04:16 UTC on 21 March 2025.
The draw continues IRCC’s recent pattern of monthly CEC invitations aimed at candidates who already live and work in Canada. Since CEC applicants have Canadian work experience and have generally met language and settlement requirements, their transition to permanent residence is considered faster and less risky for employers coping with skill shortages.
With this draw, IRCC has now issued 74,485 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2025, of which 22,850 went to CEC candidates. The federal department is on pace to meet its 2025 target of 82,000 Express Entry admissions, despite pressures to moderate overall immigration growth ahead of the forthcoming 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
For employers, the draw signals that highly valued in-country talent will continue to receive a relatively direct route to permanent status, enabling companies to retain skilled staff without the complications of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). Prospective applicants should note that CRS cut-offs remain elevated; at 533 points, candidates may need a combination of high language scores, Canadian education, and full-time skilled work experience to be competitive.
IRCC is expected to continue alternating program-specific draws (CEC, Provincial Nominee Program, occupation-targeted categories) to balance regional labour needs while controlling intake volumes. The next CEC round could come as early as mid-November, giving employers and applicants a narrow window to maximise CRS scores and update profiles.
The draw continues IRCC’s recent pattern of monthly CEC invitations aimed at candidates who already live and work in Canada. Since CEC applicants have Canadian work experience and have generally met language and settlement requirements, their transition to permanent residence is considered faster and less risky for employers coping with skill shortages.
With this draw, IRCC has now issued 74,485 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2025, of which 22,850 went to CEC candidates. The federal department is on pace to meet its 2025 target of 82,000 Express Entry admissions, despite pressures to moderate overall immigration growth ahead of the forthcoming 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
For employers, the draw signals that highly valued in-country talent will continue to receive a relatively direct route to permanent status, enabling companies to retain skilled staff without the complications of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). Prospective applicants should note that CRS cut-offs remain elevated; at 533 points, candidates may need a combination of high language scores, Canadian education, and full-time skilled work experience to be competitive.
IRCC is expected to continue alternating program-specific draws (CEC, Provincial Nominee Program, occupation-targeted categories) to balance regional labour needs while controlling intake volumes. The next CEC round could come as early as mid-November, giving employers and applicants a narrow window to maximise CRS scores and update profiles.
