Canada has conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
This latest draw reflects Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) ongoing efforts to recognize and retain skilled workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy.
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The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score in this round was 533, a slight drop of just one point from the previous CEC draw held on October 1, 2025.
Key Details of the October 28, 2025 Express Entry Draw
Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Number of invitations issued: 1,000
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 533
- Tie-breaking rule: March 21, 2025, at 04:16:27 UTC
- Rank required to receive an ITA: 1,000 or above
Interestingly, the number of ITAs appears to have stabilized at 1,000, remaining consistent across the last four CEC draws since August 2025. Likewise, the CRS cut-off score has hovered between 533 and 534 during this period.
Observers anticipate another round of invitations later this week—potentially focused on healthcare occupations or French-language proficiency candidates.
The Importance of the CEC Stream
The Canadian Experience Class remains one of the most popular immigration pathways for skilled workers with at least one year of full-time work experience in Canada.
This draw highlights IRCC’s continued focus on transitioning temporary residents to permanent status, a crucial step in addressing ongoing labour shortages nationwide.
Understanding the Tie-Breaking Rule
The tie-breaking rule ensures fairness when multiple candidates have the same CRS score.
For this draw, only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before March 21, 2025, at 04:16:27 UTC received invitations.
This means that IRCC selected only candidates who entered the pool before this date and time, even if others had identical scores of 533.
CRS Score Distribution in the Pool (as of October 28, 2025, after the draw)
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 501–600 | 25,001 |
| 451–500 | 69,503 |
| 491–500 | 12,051 |
| 481–490 | 12,092 |
| 471–480 | 14,727 |
| 461–470 | 15,792 |
| 451–460 | 14,841 |
| 401–450 | 72,542 |
| 441–450 | 14,089 |
| 431–440 | 14,766 |
| 421–430 | 14,998 |
| 411–420 | 14,820 |
| 401–410 | 13,869 |
| 351–400 | 52,468 |
| 301–350 | 19,410 |
| 0–300 | 8,027 |
| Total | 246,951 |
What Happens Next
Candidates who received an ITA on October 28, 2025, now have 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application to IRCC.
Successful applicants will soon become part of Canada’s next group of permanent residents through one of the country’s most direct immigration streams.
For those who did not receive an invitation, maintaining an active Express Entry profile and working to improve CRS scores—through higher language test results, additional work experience, or securing a provincial nomination—remains key.
This latest draw once again demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to helping skilled workers already in Canada make the transition to permanent residency.
Further draws are expected this week as IRCC prepares to announce the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, outlining the next phase of Canada’s economic immigration priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the CRS cut-off for the latest CEC Express Entry draw?
The October 28, 2025, CEC draw had a CRS cut-off score of 533. Candidates with scores of 533 or higher received invitations if their profiles were submitted before March 21, 2025, at 04:16:27 UTC.
2. How many invitations were issued?
IRCC issued 1,000 ITAs under the CEC stream, reinforcing its commitment to retaining skilled workers already employed in Canada.
3. Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
Candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years, meet language requirements, and plan to live outside Quebec. The program primarily benefits temporary foreign workers and international graduates.
4. What can candidates do if they weren’t invited?
Those not selected can enhance their chances by:
- Retaking language tests for a higher score
- Gaining more work experience or completing additional education
- Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which adds 600 CRS points
