Record number of invitations in Express Entry category drawings!

October 2025 has begun with a priority trend for candidates for permanent residence in Canada who are already established in the country and those who strengthen bilingualism in the country. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) held two targeted Express Entry draws with over 5000 Invitations to Apply(ITAs) in specific categories: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and French language proficiency.

In this blog, I provide the details of both sweepstakes. Read with me to the end and learn about the requirements that apply to obtain permanent residency through these routes. Let's get started. 

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Drawing 1: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

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The first round of the month focused on candidates who already have work experience in Canada.

• Date: October 1, 2025
• ITA issued: 1000 invitations.
• CRS score: 534 points.
• CRS cut-off: although the exact points vary, these targeted draws typically have lower cut-offs than the all-inclusive draws, which directly benefits temporary workers and international graduates who have accumulated Canadian experience.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the fastest and safest route to permanent residency if the candidate has completed their year of qualifying work experience in Canada (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) and has an appropriate language level (CLB 7 or 5).

Strategic recommendation

If you are in Canada on a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), make sure your Express Entry profile is active and your work experience is accurately validated (TEER code and exact hours).

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Draw 2: historic round for French-speaking candidates

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The second draw of the week was one of the largest for a specific category and demonstrates that the federal government remains committed to Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

• Date: October 6, 2025.
• ITA Issued: 4500 invitations.
• CRS score: 432 points.
• Focus: Candidates with a solid command of French.

Canada actively seeks bilingual or French-speaking candidates who contribute to the economy and demographics of French-speaking communities across the country. Having an advanced level of French (demonstrated through the TEF or TCF) gives you additional CRS points per language and makes you eligible for these exclusive and massive draws.

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How to prepare for category drawings 

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Key for CEC candidates

If you are a temporary worker or graduate planning permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class, it is critical to optimize your profile to maximize your chances of being selected in these targeted draws.

1. Rigorously document your work experience

The core requirement of the CEC is to demonstrate at least one year of full-time qualifying work experience in Canada within the last three years.

• Verify that your occupation is classified under TEER levels 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the Canadian system and that your duties and responsibilities ("Main Duties") match the TEER code description. Also, make sure you have proof of pay to show that your experience was legal and remunerated.

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2. Test your language proficiency

Although the language requirement for the CEC is relatively low compared to other programs, it is crucial to reach the necessary level: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations, and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations. In addition, have a current (no more than two years old) English or French exam (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF) at the time of invitation.

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3. Avoid mistakes when creating the profile

The biggest mistake CEC candidates make is leaving the Express Entry profile incomplete or with inconsistencies.

• If you obtain a new language certificate, more experience or an educational change, update your Express Entry profile immediately. A change of a few CRS points could make the difference between being invited and being ignored in the next draw.

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Key for French-speaking candidates

To maximize your chances of success in this category, consider the following:

Certify French at a high level (CLB 7+).

Success in this category depends directly on your language score. It is not enough to meet the minimum requirement; you must exceed it to be competitive. 

• Aim for a CLB 7 level or higher in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). This level not only makes you eligible, but also offers a CRS point bonus for your CLB 5 English. This can be a differentiator in whether or not you receive the ITA.

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2. Prioritize the Canadian Experience (CEC)

The most competitive French-speaking profile is one that combines the linguistic advantage with Canadian work experience (Canadian Experience Class or CEC).

• Having Canadian work experience and a CLB 7+ in French gives you the maximum amount of points for the combination of skills in the CRS System.

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3. Increase your education (ECA)

Make sure that all of your educational credentials add up to as many points as possible.

• If your post-secondary education was outside of Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your qualifications to add up to their full value in the CRS.
• If you have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian institution, this gives you a valuable additional bonus point, reinforcing your academic integration.

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If you have doubts in the process, seek specialized immigration advice. At Immiland Canada, we are ready to assess your profile and plan your immigration strategy. You can request an appointment with one of our CICC regulated consultants and start your route to Canada.

The trend of Express Entry is in favor of candidates who already have Canadian experience and are fluent in French. Take advantage of this opportunity to settle down for good.

I hope this topic will be useful for your immigration plans. Thanks for reading, see you soon!

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada