Last Updated On 16 December 2025, 5:24 PM EST (Toronto Time)On December 16, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada conducted a large Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw, issuing 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residency.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cutoff drops by 5 points to 515 as compared to the previous CEC draw and by 16 points when compared to the November 26 CEC draw.
This latest round continues a powerful late-year momentum that is rapidly reshaping the Express Entry landscape as IRCC finally realizes they need to focus on in-Canada candidates.
Just one week earlier, IRCC conducted a historic Canadian Experience Class draw on December 10, inviting 6,000 candidates with a CRS cutoff score of 520.
Details Of December 16 Canadian Experience Class Express Entry Draw
- Program: Canadian Experience Class
- Date and time: December 16, 2025
- Number of invitations issued: 5,000
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 515
- Rank needed: 5,000 or above
- Tie-breaking rule: September 9, 2025 at 18:58:59 UTC
If more than one candidate had the lowest score, the cutoff was determined by the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profile.
This draw stands out not only because of its size but also because of its timing and sequence.
IRCC does not often conduct consecutive large Canadian Experience Class draws within such a short window.
Issuing 11,000 CEC invitations within just 7 days now sends a clear message about federal priorities.
IRCC is under growing pressure to stabilize the labour market while managing housing constraints and public services.
Selecting candidates who are already living and working in Canada helps achieve both goals at once.
These candidates are already integrated into the workforce, familiar with Canadian society, and less likely to require settlement supports.
The 5-point drop in the CRS cutoff from last week’s 520 to 515 also offers hope to candidates who were just below the previous threshold.
Eligibility Criteria for CEC
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers who have already gained work experience in Canada.
To qualify, candidates must meet several core requirements.
Applicants must have at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years.
This work experience must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.
The work experience must be legally obtained while authorized to work in Canada.
Experience gained while studying full-time does not count toward the CEC requirement.
Language proficiency is mandatory. Candidates must meet minimum Canadian Language Benchmark requirements based on their occupation category.
TEER 0 and 1 occupations require higher language scores than TEER 2 and 3 roles.
Unlike some other programs, there is no education requirement under the Canadian Experience Class.
However, having Canadian or foreign education can significantly boost CRS scores.
CEC applicants currently working are not required to show proof of settlement funds, making this pathway especially attractive for Canadian workers.
Looking Ahead Into 2026
With hundreds of thousands of temporary residents facing expiring work permits in 2026, IRCC is likely accelerating selections now to prevent status lapses and labour disruptions.
If this trend continues, Canadian Experience Class draws could remain frequent and large through the first quarter of the new year.
However, candidates should not assume that high volumes are guaranteed.
Express Entry remains dynamic, and draw sizes and CRS cutoffs can shift quickly based on intake targets, processing capacity, and political direction.
As we approach the pivotal year of 2026 in the Canadian immigration system, this draw may be a preview of what is to come.
With permanent residency targets increasingly focused on applicants already in the country, Canadian Experience Class candidates are well positioned.
If economic conditions remain stable and labour shortages persist, large CEC draws could become a defining feature of Express Entry in the months ahead.
For now, the December 16 draw stands as one of the most encouraging signals for in-Canada workers in recent years, reinforcing that Canadian experience is not just valued but prioritized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Express Entry draw in Canada?
An Express Entry draw is a selection round conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada where candidates from the Express Entry pool receive invitations to apply for permanent residency. IRCC ranks profiles using the Comprehensive Ranking System and issues invitations to those who meet or exceed the cutoff score for that specific draw.
How often does IRCC conduct Express Entry draws?
There is no fixed schedule for Express Entry draws, but IRCC usually conducts draws on a biweekly basis but may conduct back-to-back weekly draws or sometimes even skip the biweekly schedule as well.
What does the CRS cutoff score mean in an Express Entry draw?
The CRS cutoff score is the minimum score required to receive an invitation in a specific draw. Candidates with scores equal to or higher than the cutoff are invited.
