Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its third Express Entry draw of December, continuing a busy month of invitation rounds under the Express Entry system. This draw targeted candidates eligible under a category-based selection, reflecting IRCC’s ongoing strategy of aligning immigration intake with labour market needs.
In this round, IRCC issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. Candidates were required to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470 to receive an invitation. As with previous draws, a tie-breaking rule was applied, giving priority to candidates who had submitted their Express Entry profiles earlier.
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
| Dec-11 | Healthcare and social services occupations | 1,000 | 476 |
| Dec-10 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 520 |
| Dec-08 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,123 | 729 |
| Nov-28 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 408 |
| Nov-25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| Nov-14 | Healthcare and social services occupations | 3,500 | 462 |
| Nov-12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| Nov-10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
This draw follows two earlier Express Entry rounds held earlier in the month, including large program-specific selections. Together, the three December draws highlight IRCC’s sustained use of targeted invitations to manage immigration levels while focusing on candidates most likely to contribute to Canada’s economy.
Category-based draws allow IRCC to invite candidates who meet specific criteria such as work experience, language ability, or occupational background. These selections are designed to address workforce shortages and support economic growth across key industries.
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary system for selecting skilled immigrants. Candidates in the pool are encouraged to keep their profiles accurate and up to date, as IRCC continues to conduct frequent and varied draws throughout the year.
