IRCC followed up its healthcare-focused draw by issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on 10 December 2025—the biggest CEC-specific round in nearly 18 months. The CRS threshold fell to 520, down from the mid-530s seen throughout 2025 and offering long-awaited relief to temporary foreign workers and international graduates already in Canada.
CEC candidates benefit from at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience, which research shows accelerates labour-market integration and earnings. By boosting CEC invitations, the government aims to retain talent trained in Canada rather than lose them to competing jurisdictions once post-graduation work permits expire.
![Largest Canadian Experience Class Draw Since 2024 Invites 6,000 Skilled Workers]()
The timing matters for employers: many post-graduation work permits issued in 2022 will start expiring in early 2026. Securing PR now allows workers to stay with their current companies without employer-specific LMIA requirements. Mobility teams should review permit-expiry rosters and align internal sponsorship policies accordingly.
Analysts say the lower cut-off may be temporary, as inventory data show a large pool of high-scoring candidates waiting. Future rounds could oscillate depending on back-end processing capacity and evolving labour-market indicators.
Successful applicants will land as permanent residents in mid-2026, adding experienced talent to sectors ranging from ICT to advanced manufacturing.
CEC candidates benefit from at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience, which research shows accelerates labour-market integration and earnings. By boosting CEC invitations, the government aims to retain talent trained in Canada rather than lose them to competing jurisdictions once post-graduation work permits expire.
The timing matters for employers: many post-graduation work permits issued in 2022 will start expiring in early 2026. Securing PR now allows workers to stay with their current companies without employer-specific LMIA requirements. Mobility teams should review permit-expiry rosters and align internal sponsorship policies accordingly.
Analysts say the lower cut-off may be temporary, as inventory data show a large pool of high-scoring candidates waiting. Future rounds could oscillate depending on back-end processing capacity and evolving labour-market indicators.
Successful applicants will land as permanent residents in mid-2026, adding experienced talent to sectors ranging from ICT to advanced manufacturing.
Source: Business Standard
