On July 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
This draw targeted candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518 or higher, marking a 3-point drop from the previous CEC-specific draw held on June 26, 2025.
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As forecasted in our earlier predictions for July, the latest round reflects Canada’s continued focus on selecting skilled candidates with Canadian work experience.
Express Entry Draw Highlights — July 8, 2025
- Program Targeted: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Date of Draw: July 8, 2025
- CRS Cut-Off Score: 518
- Number of ITAs Issued: 3,000
- Minimum Rank to Receive ITA: Top 3,000 candidates
- Tie-Breaking Rule: October 2, 2024 at 1:48:36 UTC
This CEC-focused draw aligns with Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to welcome 124,680 permanent residents through Express Entry this year. The emphasis on retaining workers with Canadian experience helps address ongoing labour shortages in vital sectors such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.
CRS Score Distribution as of July 6, 2025
Understanding where you stand in the Express Entry pool is crucial. As of July 6, 2025, the pool contained 256,224 candidates. Here’s the score breakdown:
| CRS Score Range | Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | 358 |
| 501–600 | 22,591 |
| 451–500 | 77,550 |
| 401–450 | 72,608 |
| 351–400 | 53,697 |
| 301–350 | 21,135 |
| 0–300 | 8,285 |
| Total | 256,224 |
2025 Trends in Express Entry
- CEC Cut-Offs: Ranged between 518–547 this year. Larger draws (e.g. 3,000 ITAs) tend to yield lower cut-offs.
- Smaller Draws: Like the May 13 draw (500 ITAs) saw a high CRS threshold of 547.
- Policy Changes: The removal of job offer points (50–200) in Spring 2025 has shifted the focus to language proficiency and Canadian work experience.
- Category-Based Draws: Lower CRS scores seen in specific categories (e.g., 410 CRS for French proficiency on March 7).
- Competitive Scores: With 22,591 candidates scoring between 501–600, competition remains high.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – Who’s Eligible?
The CEC is designed for individuals with Canadian work experience seeking permanent residence through Express Entry. Ideal for international graduates and temporary foreign workers, the main criteria include:
Canadian Work Experience
- At least 1 year of skilled work (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada within the last 3 years.
- Work must be full-time (30 hours/week) or equivalent part-time.
- Internships/co-op placements during studies don’t qualify.
Language Proficiency
- CLB 7 (TEER 0 or 1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2 or 3) in English or French.
- Higher scores (e.g. CLB 9 or above) boost CRS points.
- Accepted tests: IELTS, CELPIP, TEF.
Admissibility
- No criminal or medical inadmissibility.
Express Entry Profile
- Create a profile to enter the Express Entry pool. CRS score is calculated based on age, education, work experience, and language ability.
After Receiving an ITA – What’s Next?
Getting an ITA is a critical milestone. Here’s how to move forward:
- Accept Your ITA
- You have 60 days to accept via your IRCC account.
- Prepare Your Documents
- Passport
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees
- Proof of work experience in Canada (T4s, pay stubs, reference letters)
- Police certificates & medical exam results
- Submit Your Application
- Application fee: Approx. CAD 1,365/adult
- Ensure accuracy to avoid delays.
- Monitor Application Status
- IRCC typically processes CEC applications in up to 6 months.
- Landing Process
- Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
- Virtual landing if inside Canada; travel-based landing if abroad.
2025 CEC Draws at a Glance
| Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 8 | 1,350 | 542 |
| Jan 23 | 4,000 | 527 |
| Feb 5 | 4,000 | 521 |
| May 13 | 500 | 547 |
| June 12 | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 26 | 3,000 | 521 |
| July 8 | 3,000 | 518 |
| Total | 15,850 ITAs | CRS: 518–547 |
The trend toward larger draws with lower CRS thresholds could benefit candidates with scores in the low 500s, especially if IRCC maintains this draw size moving forward.
Is a CRS Score of 515–520 Competitive?
Yes, a CRS score in the 515–520 range is very competitive for CEC draws in 2025. With increasing draw sizes and a shift away from job offer points, candidates in this range are well-positioned, especially if they also have strong language skills and Canadian work experience.
Stay Informed. Stay Ready.
With over 124,000 spots open in Express Entry for 2025, this could be your year to become a Canadian permanent resident. Strengthen your profile, stay updated, and take proactive steps to improve your CRS score.
