Dear future neighbour,
On May 13, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finally held an Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program after a long wait of more than three months.
Another surprise was the low number of invitations issued. Only 500 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in this draw, which is a very small figure compared to past draws.
See below details of the CEC Express Entry Draw On May 13
- Category/Program: Canadian Experience Class
- Date and time: May 13, 2025
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 547
- Number of invitations issued: 500
- Rank needed: 500 or above
- Tie-breaking rule: May 21, 2024
The good news is that the CEC draw has resumed. This gives a fresh chance for candidates with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency. However, the not-so-good news is that the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score jumped to 547. This is the highest CRS score seen so far in 2025, making it much harder for many candidates to qualify.
See below details of all CEC Express Entry Draw in 2025
| Date | Round type | Invitations issued | CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| February 5, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
This May 13 draw marks the fourth Express Entry draw of the month. Earlier in May, IRCC held two draws focused on specific job categories—healthcare and education—as well as a draw for candidates nominated by provinces under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
See below CRS Score Distribution in the pool as of May 13
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 28 |
| 501-600 | 22,435 |
| 451-500 | 73,741 |
| 491-500 | 12,429 |
| 481-490 | 12,704 |
| 471-480 | 16,641 |
| 461-470 | 16,691 |
| 451-460 | 15,276 |
| 401-450 | 69,673 |
| 441-450 | 14,439 |
| 431-440 | 15,241 |
| 421-430 | 13,718 |
| 411-420 | 13,589 |
| 401-410 | 12,686 |
| 351-400 | 53,684 |
| 301-350 | 22,069 |
| 0-300 | 8,452 |
| Total | 250,082 |
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 34,440 ITAs through the Express Entry system. While that number sounds promising overall, the high CRS score and low invitation count in the latest CEC draw show that the path to Canadian permanent residency is still highly competitive.
Need Help with Your Canadian Immigration Journey?
Whether you’re looking to:
- Apply for a visitor visa
- Submit a work permit or visa application
- Create an Expression of Interest
- Set up your Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program profile
- Prepare your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply
- Or just want a professional review of your self-prepared application
—we’ve got you covered!
Book a consultation today or reach out to us at info@eseumohimmigration.com. Let’s make your move to Canada smoother and stress-free!