Canada continues to strengthen its workforce by prioritizing candidates with proven Canadian work experience through the Express Entry system. In the most recent round of invitations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a large draw under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), targeting candidates already contributing to Canada’s labour market.
On December 16, 2025, IRCC issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under Ministerial Instructions #387. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this round was 515, making it one of the more accessible CEC draws in recent months.
Express Entry Draw Results, December 16, 2025
- Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Number of Invitations Issued: 5,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 515
- Rank Required: 5,000 or above
- Date & Time of Round: December 16, 2025 at 15:10:56 UTC
- Tie-Breaking Rule: September 9, 2025 at 18:58:59 UTC
Under IRCC’s tie-breaking rule, candidates with a CRS score of 515 were invited only if they had submitted their Express Entry profile on or before September 9, 2025, at 18:58:59 UTC.
Why This CEC Draw Is Important
Canadian Experience Class draws are a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration strategy, focusing on temporary residents who have already integrated into Canadian society and the workforce. This draw helps to:
- Retain skilled workers with Canadian work experience
- Support employers facing ongoing labour shortages
- Speed up permanent residence for temporary foreign workers and graduates
- Strengthen economic stability through candidates already settled in Canada
CEC candidates often benefit from faster processing times and do not require proof of settlement funds, making this pathway especially attractive.
Express Entry Snapshot, Canadian Experience Class
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
| December 16, 2025 | 5,000 | 515 |
This latest draw highlights IRCC’s continued focus on transitioning temporary residents into permanent residents, reinforcing Canada’s long-term economic growth and labour market resilience.
🎉 Congratulations to the 5,000 candidates who received invitations!
