Canada's Express Entry system still lets competent workers in. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream on October 1, 2025. Candidates had to have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 534 and a profile made before February 21, 2025, at 4:01 a.m. UTC.
This draw indicates how tough the procedure is for Canadian immigration, but it also shows how consistently IRCC has been looking for talented workers with Canadian experience.
What is Express Entry?
Canada's online immigration system for managing applications for permanent residency is called Express Entry. It has three primary parts:
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – for qualified people who have worked in Canada before.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – for skilled workers who have worked in another country.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – for people who work in skilled trades.
Some draws are also linked to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which gives hopefuls another chance to qualify.
The Most Recent CEC Draw from IRCC
In the October 1 draw:
• 1,000 ITAs were given out
• 534 is the CRS cut-off.
• Profiles sent in before February 21, 2025, at 4:01 a.m. UTC were accepted.
This was the tenth CEC draw of 2025, and it was the third in a row with the same cut-off score of 534.
Why the Canadian Experience Class is Important
The CEC stream is very essential because it:
• Aims toward workers who have worked in Canada before
• Makes it easier to move from temporary to permanent residency faster
• Is less dependent on foreign qualifications than FSWP
The CEC pathway makes it more likely that you'll acquire an ITA if you've already worked or studied in Canada.
Score on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The CRS is a points-based system that puts candidates in order based on:
• Age
• Education
• Work experience
• Language skills (French and English)
• Job offers or nominations from the province
A score of 534 is quite competitive. Most of the time, candidates who have extensive Canadian job experience and speak English well reach this level.
Express Entry Trends in 2025
So far in 2025, IRCC has shown a clear strategy:
• More targeted draws (e.g., healthcare, education, French-language)
• Consistent focus on PNP and CEC candidates
• Rising importance of French proficiency
Summary of Draws in 2025
Here’s a quick look at major draws this year:
• October 1 – CEC, 1,000 ITAs, CRS 534
• September 29 – PNP, 291 ITAs, CRS 855
• September 18 – Trade, 1,250 ITAs, CRS 505
• September 17 – Education, 2,500 ITAs, CRS 462
• September 4 – French, 4,500 ITAs, CRS 446
…and many more across the months.
This clearly shows that CEC and French language draws are major highlights of 2025.
Top Categories for 2025 Invitations
• French-language draws: 25,500 ITAs
• CEC candidates: 21,850 ITAs
• Healthcare & social services: 7,500 ITAs
• PNP nominees: 6,947 ITAs
• Education stream: 3,500 ITAs
• Trade stream: 1,250 ITAs
Most of the invites this year have gone to French-speaking candidates and CEC applicants.
Comparison With Previous Years
Compared to 2024, this year has seen:
• More category-specific draws
• Consistent CEC invitations
• A strong push toward French-speaking immigrants
Canada needs bilingual workers and skilled professionals in healthcare, education, and trades, and this change shows that.
Total ITAs Issued in 2025 So Far
IRCC has given out 66,838 ITAs by October 1. That's a big step toward Canada's immigration goals for the year.
Key Insights From This Year’s Draws
• French and CEC drawings dominate
• PNP draws remain selective but impactful
• CRS scores remain above 500 for most streams
How to Improve Your CRS Score
If you want to increase your chances of receiving an ITA:
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Improve your language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF).
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Gain Canadian work experience through study permits or work permits.
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Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for 600 extra points.
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Enhance your education with recognized credentials.
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Secure a Canadian job offer.
Why Now is the Best Time to Apply
IRCC has been consistent with CEC draws. This is the best time to send in your profile if you have worked in Canada before. There have already been more than 66,000 ITAs given out, and more are likely to be given out in the next few months.
Conclusion
The Express Entry draw on October 1, 2025, shows that Canada is still putting qualified workers with Canadian experience at the top of its list. Candidates in the CEC stream have a good probability of getting permanent residency because the CRS cut-off is 534, and 1,000 ITAs have been issued.
If you want to move to Canada, work on raising your CRS score and making sure your profile fits with the streams that IRCC is most interested in in 2025.
FAQs
1. What was the CRS score for the draw on October 1, 2025?
The Canadian Experience Class candidates had a CRS cut-off of 534.
2. How many ITAs were given out in the draw on October 1?
IRCC sent out 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
3. So far in 2025, which category has gotten the most ITAs?
The stream for those who speak French has the most ITAs, at 25,500.
4. What can I do to make it more likely that I acquire an ITA?
To acquire more points, you can improve your language scores, get work experience in Canada, or apply for a PNP nomination.
5. What is the main difference between the CEC and PNP draws?
CEC draws are for skilled workers with Canadian experience, while PNP draws are for a specific province and give you 600 more CRS points.
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