Canada Express Entry: 5,000 PR invites issued as CRS score falls to 515

The latest Canadian Experience Class draw comes just a week after a 6,000-invite round, signalling strong focus on in-Canada workers

Canada on Tuesday issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residency under a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw.

 

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff fell to 515, five points lower than the previous CEC draw and 16 points lower than the draw held on November 26, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 

This came just a week after a large CEC draw on December 10, when IRCC invited 6,000 candidates with a CRS cutoff score of 520.

 

Together, the two rounds saw 11,000 invitations issued within seven days, making them among the biggest Canadian Experience Class draws in recent months.

 

 

What were the details of the 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 required: 5,000 or above

Tie-breaking rule: September 9, 2025 at 18:58:59 UTC

 

IRCC said that if more than one candidate had the lowest score, the cutoff was decided by the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profile.

 

Who qualifies under the Canadian Experience Class

 

The Canadian Experience Class is meant for skilled workers who already have work experience in Canada and are part of the labour force.

 

• To be eligible, applicants must meet these conditions.

• At least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years

• Work experience must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification

• The work must have been legally obtained while authorised to work in Canada

• Work experience gained while studying full-time does not count 

 

What language requirements apply under CEC

  Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark scores are mandatory. TEER 0 and 1 occupations require higher language scores than TEER 2 and 3 roles.

 

There is no mandatory education requirement under the Canadian Experience Class. However, Canadian or foreign education can add valuable CRS points.

 

Applicants who are currently working in Canada are not required to show proof of settlement funds.

 

What is an Express Entry draw

 

An Express Entry draw is a selection round run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Candidates submit profiles to the Express Entry pool and are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System.

 

IRCC then issues invitations to apply for permanent residency to candidates who meet or exceed the cutoff score set for that draw.

 

What does the CRS cutoff score mean

 

The CRS cutoff score is the minimum score needed to receive an invitation in a particular draw. Candidates with scores equal to or higher than the cutoff are invited to apply.

 

Cutoff scores change from draw to draw, depending on how many invitations are issued and how competitive the pool is at that time.

 

Who is eligible for Canadian Experience Class draws

 

CEC draws are open to candidates who have gained at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last three years.

 

Applicants must meet language requirements and must have worked in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation under the National Occupational Classification.

 

What does TEER mean

 

TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. It was introduced under the NOC 2021 system to classify occupations based on skill level and job duties.

 

TEER 0 – management occupations

 

These are senior leadership roles that involve decision-making and oversight.

 

Examples include:

Chief executive officer

Financial manager

Engineering manager

IT manager

Construction manager

Restaurant and food service manager

Sales, marketing or advertising manager

Healthcare manager

 

TEER 1 – professional occupations

  These roles usually require a university degree and specialised training.

 

Examples include:

Software engineer

Data scientist

Civil, mechanical or electrical engineer

Architect

Lawyer

Physician or specialist doctor

Dentist

Pharmacist

University professor

Financial analyst

Economist

 

TEER 2 – technical and skilled trades

  These occupations often require a college diploma, apprenticeship or several years of experience.

 

Examples include:

Computer network technician

Web developer

Mechanical engineering technologist

Electrical technologist

Industrial electrician

Plumber

Welder

HVAC technician

Medical laboratory technologist

Dental hygienist

Graphic designer

 

TEER 3 – intermediate occupations

  These jobs usually require post-secondary education, on-the-job training or specific certifications.

 

Jobs included are:

Administrative assistant

Accounting technician or bookkeeper

Payroll administrator

Early childhood educator

Baker

Butcher

Heavy equipment operator

Transport truck driver

Production supervisor

Pharmacy assistant

 

What is not eligible under Express Entry

 

Occupations classified as TEER 4 or TEER 5 do not qualify for Express Entry. Some of these roles may still be eligible under provincial nominee programmes or employer-led pathways.

 

What should candidates do if they missed this draw

 

Candidates who were not invited can keep their Express Entry profile active and updated. Improving language scores, gaining more Canadian work experience or securing a provincial nomination can raise CRS scores.

 

Future draws may have different cutoff scores, depending on the size of the invitation round and the strength of the candidate pool.