Key Highlights:
- Draw #384 took place on December 10, 2025 under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.
- CRS Cut-off: 520
- Invitations Issued: 6,000
- This is the largest CEC-specific draw since July 17, 2024.
- The draw broke a long-standing trend of 1,000 ITA CEC draws with high cut-offs exceeding 530.
Why This Draw Matters
For most of 2025, Express Entry candidates under the CEC category found themselves stuck — scores remained above 530, while invitation numbers were limited to just 1,000 per round. For candidates sitting in the 510–520 CRS band, PR felt mathematically impossible. This draw insofar has alleviated the equation.
With 6,000 invitations issued and a cut-off of 520, the December 10 draw is a turning point, the first signal in months that larger CEC draws may return, and the system may begin easing pressure off backlogged Canadian work experience holders.
Historical Context: CEC Draws Over Time
Between 2015 and 2023, CEC draws were few and far between, only 1 draw in 2015, followed by a long pause until COVID-19 shifted the system in 2020–2021. Here’s a breakdown:
- 2015–2019: Only one CEC draw (Feb 20, 2015)
- 2020: 10 CEC draws
- 2021: 17 CEC draws, including the historic Feb 13 draw (CRS 75, 27,332 ITAs)
- 2022–2023: 0 CEC-specific draws
- 2024: CEC returned with 10 draws
- 2025 (so far): 14 draws, including Dec 10
Draw Volumes and Cut-off Trends
| Period | Avg CRS (CEC) | Avg ITAs (CEC) | Total Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2021 | 508 | 4,690 | 28 |
| 2024–2025 | 528 | 2,413 | 24 |
| 2025 (alone) | 530+ | 1,964 | 14 |
📊 Express Entry Draw #384 in Numbers
- This is the highest-volume CEC draw since July 17, 2024 (Draw #304 – 6,300 ITAs, CRS 515).
- First draw in over a year to break the 1,000 ITA cap under the Canadian Experience Class.
- Total Express Entry invitations in 2025 now exceed 102,000 — only the 4th time in history this milestone has been crossed.
- 2025 also holds the record for the most Express Entry draws in a calendar year at 55 (as of December 11, 2025).
For deeper insights into Canada’s Express Entry trends from 2015 to 2025 — including historical data breakdowns by category, volume, and CRS score — read our full analysis here. If you’re serious about planning your PR pathway, this is the most comprehensive look at IRCC’s Express Entry system to date.
What This Means Going Into 2026
CEC candidates should watch this closely. It signals that IRCC may be reactivating CEC draws at scale, possibly due to backlogged domestic applicants, expiring PGWPs, or shifting labor market demand. The reduced cut-off also means those who’ve waited on the sidelines at 510–519 may finally get their chance.
With Express Entry draws expected to continue increasing in frequency, but not necessarily volume, now is the time to:
- ✅ Ensure your profile is active and updated
- ✅ Maximize language test scores and education credentials
- ✅ Track trends and prepare for sudden movement
Need Help Navigating CEC and Express Entry?
Book a consultation with SAAB Immigration to review your profile, plan your next move, and stay informed on IRCC strategy changes.
📅 Book a Consultation or call +1 (877) 683‑7222 (SAAB); or email us at hello@saabimmigration.ca.
