Canada Resumes CEC Express Entry Draw, Issues 500 ITAs on May 13

After a three-month pause, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has resumed Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draws.

The first CEC draw since February took place on May 13, 2025, and 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency were issued.

However, it is the smallest number compared to previous CEC draws. In the previous CEC draw on February 5, 2025, IRCC issued 4,000 ITAs with a minimum CRS cutoff score of 521.

The recent Express Entry draw is notable as the last to be conducted under outgoing Immigration Minister Rachel Bendayan.

Key details of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw

• Date: May 13, 2025
• Number of ITAs issued: 500
• Category: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Minimum CRS score: 547
• Tie-breaking rule: Express Entry profile created before May 21, 2024, at 17:26:27 UTC.

Fourth Express Entry Draw in May, Issuing Over 34,000 ITAs

The first-ever Express Entry draw on May 1 was for education professionals. IRCC issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). On May 2, the category-specific draw for healthcare and social services occupations invited 500 candidates in the Express entry pool.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw granted 511 ITAs to the PNP candidates. The final draw was the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, which issued 500 ITAs with a record-high CRS cutoff of 547 for 2025.

The draw pattern indicates IRCC held four Express Entry draws targeting different groups within the pool.

So far this year, IRCC has issued 34,440 ITAs through the Express Entry system. Most of these have gone to PNP candidates, with the rest given to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants, French-speaking candidates, and other priority groups.

These draws show IRCC's ongoing focus on meeting Canada's labour market needs and supporting regional immigration goals.

CEC Express Entry Draws in 2025

Canada has held four Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draws to date in 2025.

The number of invitations and the minimum CRS scores varied for each round.

The latest draw on May 13 was the CEC draw with the highest CRS cutoff of the year.

Here is the summary of all CEC Express Entry Draws held so far.

New Immigration Minister for Canada- Lena Metlege Diab 

As part of the Cabinet reshuffle, Lena Metlege Diab was appointed Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship on May 13, 2025.

Canada plans to limit new permanent resident admissions to about 1% of the population by 2027, aiming for more manageable growth.

It remains to be seen whether Canada will increase francophone immigration, revamp the Global Talent Stream, and reduce temporary residents.

As the new Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab will likely play an important role in balancing economic needs with these social and community challenges.

We hope these changes will help build a welcoming and inclusive immigration system that supports newcomers and Canada's economic growth.

Let us expect more details about Canada's new immigration policies in the coming days.

Keep following our updates for the latest news and changes in Canada's immigration policies.

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