IRCC CONDUCTED THE 13TH EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW FOR CEC CANDIDATES AND ISSUED 1,000 INVITATIONS

IRCC CONDUCTED THE 13TH EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW FOR CEC CANDIDATES AND ISSUED 1,000 INVITATIONS

Another targeted draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates

On November 26, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw specifically targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

In this round, IRCC once again issued only 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), confirming that Canada continues to use CEC as a key pathway for workers with Canadian experience, while keeping the selection process highly competitive.

Key details of Express Entry round #381

In round #381 of Express Entry:

  • Program targeted: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

  • Number of ITAs issued: 1,000

  • CRS cut-off score: 531 points,

    • This is 2 points lower than in the previous CEC-targeted draw.

  • Tie-breaking rule:

    • Date and time: October 08, 2025, at 19:02:26 UTC

Only profiles with 531 CRS points or higher, and submitted before the tie-breaking date and time, received an invitation in this round.

A growing and competitive Express Entry pool

As of November 24, 2025, there were 246,656 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool.

This number highlights how competitive the federal system has become, with hundreds of thousands of candidates competing for a limited number of invitations.

So far in 2025:

  • 88,476 ITAs have been issued through various Express Entry draws.

These figures show that, although Canada continues to invite a large number of candidates, selection is increasingly strategic and targeted.

What does a CRS cut-off of 531 mean for CEC candidates?

A 531 CRS score in a CEC-only draw indicates that:

  • Candidates with Canadian work experience, strong language scores, and post-secondary education remain highly valued.

  • Many applicants may need to boost their CRS score through:

    • Higher English and/or French test scores

    • Additional Canadian work experience

    • Further education

    • A qualifying job offer or provincial nomination

For those who were close to the cut-off, this draw is a clear reminder that having a solid improvement strategy is essential.

Strategies if you did not receive an ITA

If you are in the Express Entry pool under the Canadian Experience Class and did not receive an ITA in this round, you should consider:

  • Improving your language scores to reach a higher CLB level.

  • Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) that can add up to 600 points to your CRS.

  • Ensuring your profile is complete, accurate, and up to date.

  • Evaluating whether another federal or provincial economic program might be a better fit for your profile.

How Global Opportunities can support your Express Entry journey

In a context where:

  • The pool has over 246,000 candidates,

  • Draws are more targeted, and

  • The CEC cut-off remains above 500 points,

having a clear, personalized strategy is more important than ever.

At Global Opportunities, we can:

  • Analyze your CRS score and full profile in detail.

  • Identify concrete steps to increase your CRS.

  • Review whether you qualify for PNP streams or alternative pathways.

Book your consultation to understand what you can do now to move closer to receiving your Invitation to Apply in future draws.

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