Canada Resumes Express Entry CEC Draws; New Immigration Minister May Steer Policy Changes
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates within the Express Entry system on May 13, local time. This marked the resumption of such draws after an interruption of over three months.
A total of 500 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued in this selection round. To be eligible, candidates needed to meet two key criteria: first, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 547; and second, their Express Entry candidate profile must have been created and submitted before 5:26 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on May 21, 2024.
Overview of Express Entry Draws in 2025
This CEC draw was the fourth Express Entry draw conducted this month. Previously, IRCC held draws for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates (May 12), candidates in the healthcare and social services category (May 2), and the education category (May 1).
According to the data provided, IRCC has issued a total of 34,440 ITAs through the Express Entry system so far in 2025. The Express Entry draws in 2025 have primarily focused on PNP candidates, with the remaining invitations allocated to CEC candidates, candidates with French-language proficiency, and those in Express Entry's priority categories.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Number of Express Entry Draws by Category in 2025:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 8 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4 |
| French-language proficiency | 3 |
| Education | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
New Leadership in Canadian Immigration Policy and Future Outlook
Notably, the May 13 CEC draw was also the final Express Entry candidate selection under the previous Immigration Minister, Rachel Bendayan. Future immigration draws and related decisions will be overseen by the new Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the latest cabinet shuffle on May 13, officially appointing Ms. Lena Metlege Diab as the new federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
With the new minister's appointment, a series of immigration policy adjustments previously advocated by Prime Minister Carney are expected to be actively pursued. These core policy directions include:
- Stabilization of new permanent resident levels: Aiming to stabilize Canada's annual intake of new permanent residents at 1% of the country's population by 2027.
- Increase to Canada's francophone immigration levels: A commitment to increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants to Canada to support and promote Francophone communities.
- A revamp of the country's Global Talent Stream (GTS): Overhauling the existing Global Talent Stream program to attract the "best and brightest" global talent to meet Canada's labour market needs.
- A reduction in Canada's temporary resident levels: Plans to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada, including work permit and study permit holders.
More specific details and implementation timelines for Canada's new immigration policies are anticipated to be clarified once Minister Diab receives and publicly releases her government mandate letter. The immigration sector is closely watching for policy updates that may be announced in the coming weeks and months.
Canada Proposes Bill C-12 to Overhaul Immigration Processing, Potentially Affecting Start-Up Visa Applications
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced Bill C-12, aiming to modernize and strengthen the management of Canada’s immigration system while addressing long-standing backlogs. If passed, the bill would grant the Minister expanded authority to pause or terminate the processing of certain immigration categories. Analysts suggest that the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program — already facing significant application backlogs — could be among the most directly affected, particularly for applicants supported by designated business incubators that fail to comply with Ministerial Instructions (MI72).
10/23/2025
Ontario to Ease Licensing for 16 Additional Healthcare Professions, Boosting National and International Workforce Mobility
The Ontario government has announced plans to expand its “As of Right” labor mobility framework effective January 1, 2026, adding 16 regulated healthcare professions such as dentists, psychologists, dietitians, and midwives. This change will allow certified professionals from other Canadian provinces to obtain Ontario work authorization within as little as 10 days, compared to the current process, which can take up to six months. At the same time, physicians and nurses will be able to receive certification in as few as two business days. The move aims to address Ontario’s ongoing healthcare labor shortages while improving mobility for both Canadian and internationally trained professionals seeking to build long-term careers in the province.
10/22/2025
Northwest Territories Restores 2025 Nominee Quota to 2024 Levels, Allowing Up to 300 Nominations
The Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) has announced that its 2025 Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) allocation has been restored to 2024 levels following federal approval. The total quota will rise to 300, up significantly from 197 earlier this year. Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment Caitlin Cleveland stated that preparations are underway for the next NTNP intake period, which will open additional pathways for skilled workers to obtain provincial nomination. This adjustment makes the NWT the first jurisdiction in 2025 to regain its pre-reduction quota, marking a key milestone in the territory’s ongoing efforts to address critical labor shortages through immigration.
10/21/2025
New Brunswick Holds Three Immigration Draws, Issues Over 500 Invitations to Apply
Between October 6 and 9, 2025, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) held three consecutive draws, issuing invitations to apply to over 500 candidates. The draws were conducted through two main categories: the New Brunswick Express Entry stream for individuals employed in the province, and the Skilled Worker stream for those working in priority occupations. The provincial government also reminded applicants that not all applications submitted in response to these draws will be processed by the end of 2025.
10/20/2025
Ontario Issues 1,680 Invitations Targeting Healthcare, Education, and Regional Development Talent
On October 9, 2025, the Province of Ontario issued a total of 1,680 invitations through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), targeting skilled workers and international graduates. The latest draws spanned multiple Employer Job Offer streams, focusing on candidates in healthcare, early childhood education, and occupations that contribute to small community growth under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative. This series of draws reflects Ontario’s continued effort to strengthen its workforce in essential sectors and attract skilled talent to smaller regional communities across the province.
10/17/2025
IRCC Issues 2,500 Invitations to Healthcare and Social Services Professionals in Latest Express Entry Draw
On October 15, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472 and must have created their Express Entry profile before May 12, 2025, at 11:17 p.m. UTC. This draw marks the fifth healthcare and social services category-based draw of 2025 and is the second-largest of its kind, tying with the August 19 draw and surpassed only by the July 22 draw, which invited 4,000 healthcare professionals.
10/16/2025
Canada Express Entry Latest Draw: 345 Invitations Issued to Provincial Nominee Program Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 345 invitations to apply to Provincial Nominee Program candidates through the Express Entry system on October 14, 2025. This draw required candidates to have a minimum CRS score of 778 points and to have created their Express Entry profile before July 17, 2025. This marks the 19th Provincial Nominee draw conducted by IRCC this year and the third draw in October.
10/15/2025
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Issues 862 Invitations, Focusing on Healthcare and Caregiving Sectors
On October 9, 2025, Manitoba issued invitations to apply for provincial nomination to 862 candidates through the Skilled Worker stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw was conducted through two main pathways: the occupation-specific Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and the employer-driven Skilled Worker Overseas selection. Notably, this draw continued to prioritize candidates under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), with 203 candidates also holding valid federal Express Entry profiles.
10/14/2025
Alberta Conducts Three Provincial Nominee Draws in One Week, Issuing 1,324 Invitations
Between October 1 and October 7, 2025, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held three separate provincial nomination draws, issuing a total of 1,324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Among them, the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) accounted for the majority, with 1,003 invitations, maintaining its lead as the province’s largest channel of nominations. The Accelerated Tech Pathway and Priority Sectors (Construction) streams, both aligned with the federal Express Entry system, targeted applicants in high-demand occupations. In addition, the Government of Alberta received an increase of 1,528 nomination spots in September, raising its total 2025 allocation to 6,403. As of October 10, the province had issued 4,228 nominations, leaving 2,175 available for the remainder of the year.
10/13/2025
Manitoba Successfully Secures Immigration Allocation Increase, Adding Nearly 1,500 Nomination Spots
Manitoba has successfully secured an increase in its 2025 immigration nomination allocation from the federal government, gaining an additional 1,489 nomination spots, bringing the province's total allocation for this year to 6,239. This adjustment will enable Manitoba to nominate more candidates to obtain permanent residence and settle in the province before the end of 2025. This allocation increase represents a partial recovery following the significant reduction in provincial nominee program allocations nationwide at the beginning of 2025.
10/11/2025
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