Latest Express Entry Draws December 2025
CEC & PNP Highlights – December 2025
In mid‑December 2025, IRCC ran two impactful Express Entry rounds, one for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and one for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), sending a strong signal about priorities heading into 2026. Together, these draws favoured candidates already in Canada or those holding a provincial nomination, confirming the focus on in‑country experience and regional labour needs.
Book Your Consultation Session →
1. December 16 CEC Draw: 5,000 ITAs
On December 16, 2025, IRCC held a large CEC‑only Express Entry draw, inviting 5,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence. The CRS cutoff dropped to 515, which is 5 points lower than the previous CEC round and 16 points lower than the November 26 CEC draw, giving hope to many candidates just below earlier thresholds.
This draw followed another historic CEC round on December 10 that invited 6,000 candidates, meaning 11,000 CEC invitations were issued in just 7 days. IRCC appears to be prioritizing workers already in Canada to stabilize the labour market while easing pressure on housing and public services.
2. December 15 PNP Draw: 399 Nominated Candidates
A day earlier, on December 15, 2025, IRCC held a PNP‑targeted Express Entry draw that issued 399 invitations to candidates with a provincial nomination. The CRS cutoff was 731, which effectively represents 131 core points plus the 600 additional CRS points awarded for a provincial nomination.
This was the second consecutive week of back‑to‑back PNP draws, underlining how important provincial programs have become for selecting candidates aligned with regional labour needs. IRCC also applied a tie‑breaking rule for profiles submitted before October 18, 2025, at 7:18:52 UTC for those at the cutoff score.
| CRS range | Number of candidates |
|---|---|
| 501–600 | 21,783 |
| 451–500 | 68,700 |
| 401–450 | 66,948 |
| 351–400 | 52,574 |
| 301–350 | 18,829 |
| 0–300 | 8,069 |
Book Your Consultation Session →
3. What the Latest Draws Tell Us About 2026
The December CEC and PNP draws clearly favour candidates who are either already living and working in Canada or have strong ties through a provincial nomination. With many temporary residents facing expiring permits in 2026, large CEC draws may be a way to transition in‑Canada workers to PR, while frequent PNP rounds help provinces meet specific labour shortages.
For candidates in the pool, this means two main strategies stand out: gaining or leveraging Canadian work experience for CEC, and actively targeting provincial nominee streams to secure the 600 extra CRS points.
Read Also: New Canada Laws and Changes in December 2025
4. CRS Pool Snapshot and Competition
Just before the December 15 PNP draw, the Express Entry pool contained 237,302 candidates, with a heavy concentration between CRS 401 and 500. For example, there were 21,783 candidates in the 501–600 band and nearly 69,000 between 451–500, underscoring how competitive general and category‑based draws remain.
In this context, a PNP nomination remains one of the most reliable ways to jump ahead of the crowd, especially for those stuck in the low‑ to mid‑400s.
5. Practical Tips for Applicants
- Strengthen your Canadian Experience Class profile by securing or extending skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 roles and improving language scores.
- Explore PNP streams in provinces that target your occupation, as a nomination adds 600 CRS points and virtually guarantees an invitation in PNP‑focused draws.
- Keep your Express Entry profile accurate and active, since tie‑breaking rules often favour earlier submissions at the same CRS score.
Conclusion
The latest CEC and PNP draws show that candidates already contributing to Canada’s labour market—or backed by a province—have a clear advantage going into 2026. Instead of waiting for “perfect” draws, the smartest move is to strengthen your language scores, secure or extend skilled Canadian work, and actively target PNP streams that match your profile. By staying informed and proactive, you can turn these Express Entry trends into a real pathway toward permanent residence.
