On June 26th, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,000 people to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
These invitations were given to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) who had a minimum score of 521 or higher in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CEC is a pathway to permanent residency in Canada, specifically designed for foreign nationals with recent skilled work experience in Canada.
According to Immigration News Canada (INC), this draw marked the second consecutive round focused on the CEC category in June 2025. It reflected an 8-point drop in the CRS cutoff compared to the previous CEC-specific draw on June 12, 2025.
CEC allows temporary residents—such as international students who graduated from a Canadian school or foreign workers on a valid work permit—to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system.
Overview of the June 26 Express Entry Draw
The June 26th draw was exclusively for candidates under the Canadian Experience Class. To qualify, candidates must have a CRS score of 521 or higher. A total of 3,000 candidates received ITAs. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was applied to profiles submitted before November 21st, 2024.
This draw is part of IRCC’s effort under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which sets a target of admitting 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2025. The selection of CEC candidates prioritises individuals who already have Canadian work experience, aiming to support workforce integration.
CRS Score Trends and Pool Distribution
The CRS score cutoff of 521 in this draw ties with the February 5th draw as the lowest for CEC in 2025. Other 2025 CEC-specific draws have had cutoffs ranging between 521 and 547. The variation reflects IRCC’s strategy of adjusting draw sizes and thresholds to balance processing capacity and labour market priorities.
As of mid-June 2025, the Express Entry pool had 256,754 candidates. Of these, 22,947 candidates had scores between 501 and 600, and 471 had scores between 601 and 1,200. The pool also includes large numbers in the 451–500 range, indicating significant competition for future draws.
Smaller draws with fewer ITAs have generally had higher cutoff scores. For instance, the May 13 draw issued only 500 ITAs and required a score of 547 or higher. In contrast, larger draws, such as those issuing 3,000–4,000 ITAs, have seen lower cutoffs, making them more accessible to a broader group of candidates.
Policy changes earlier in 2025, including the removal of job offer points, impacted CRS scores, particularly for candidates relying on employment offers. This change shifted the emphasis to language proficiency and Canadian work experience as key factors in CRS calculation.
Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Experience Class
To qualify under the Canadian Experience Class, candidates must meet the following conditions:
Work Experience: A minimum of one year of skilled work experience in Canada (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the last three years. This must be full-time or equivalent part-time work.
Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 for TEER 0 and 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 occupations, in English or French.
Admissibility: Candidates must meet medical and criminal admissibility requirements.
Express Entry Profile: Candidates must submit an online profile, where points are calculated based on factors including age, education, work experience, and language skills.
CEC applicants are not required to provide proof of settlement funds, unlike applicants for other Express Entry programs. Additional Canadian education or work experience can improve CRS scores.
Next Steps After Receiving an Invitation
Candidates who received an ITA in the June 26th draw have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency. Required documents include:
- Valid passport
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment (if applicable)
- Proof of Canadian work experience
- Police certificates and medical examination results
Applications must be submitted online through the IRCC portal. The standard processing time for CEC applications is approximately six months. Upon approval, candidates receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can complete the landing process either virtually (if in Canada) or at a port of entry (if outside Canada).
Summary of 2025 CEC Draws
As of June 26th, IRCC has conducted six CEC-specific Express Entry draws in 2025:
- January 8th: 1,350 ITAs, CRS 542
- January 23rd: 4,000 ITAs, CRS 527
- February 5th: 4,000 ITAs, CRS 521
- May 13th: 500 ITAs, CRS 547
- June 12th: 3,000 ITAs, CRS 529
- June 26th: 3,000 ITAs, CRS 521
A total of 15,850 ITAs have been issued to CEC candidates this year. With multiple draws showing lower cutoffs, candidates with CRS scores around 521 may continue to be competitive in upcoming rounds, especially if draw sizes remain large.
For those who did not receive an ITA, efforts to improve language scores, gain more work experience, or pursue provincial nomination remain viable options to increase CRS points for future opportunities.
5 Timely Ways Trump’s Travel Ban Disrupts International Plans
