Express Entry Draw on December 16 Issues 5,000 Invitations Under the Canadian Experience Class

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted an Express Entry draw on December 16, selecting candidates from the Canadian Experience Class and issuing 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score required in this round was 515. When multiple profiles shared that score, priority was determined by the tie-breaking rule timestamp: September 9, 2025, at 18:58:59 UTC.

The draw came six days after another large Canadian Experience Class round, adding to a busy mid-December stretch for in-Canada selections.

Snapshot of the December 16 Draw

The cutoff fell by five points compared with the December 10 Canadian Experience Class draw, which had a minimum score of 520.

How This Draw Fits Into December’s Activity

December has included multiple Express Entry rounds across several streams. What stands out here is the timing: two large Canadian Experience Class draws within one week.

Taken together, the December 10 and December 16 rounds resulted in 11,000 invitations issued to candidates with Canadian experience. That kind of clustering is not common for this stream and may indicate heavier year-end selection from the in-Canada pool.

What a Five-Point CRS Drop Can Mean

A five-point change may sound small, but movement in the 510–520 range can affect a large number of candidates because scores in that band tend to be tightly grouped.

For people who were just under 520, a cutoff of 515 opened a narrow window. It also shows why Canadian Experience Class cutoffs can behave differently from category-based rounds, where eligibility is narrower, and scores can swing in a different way.

What Makes the Canadian Experience Class Distinct

The Canadian Experience Class selects skilled workers with recent Canadian work experience. Because the selection is program-based, candidates in this stream are competing within a defined group rather than across the entire Express Entry pool.

Many candidates in this group are already working in Canada, which can change how certain application requirements apply after an invitation is issued.

Canadian Experience Class Eligibility at a Glance

What This May Suggest for Early 2026

A large number of temporary residents are expected to reach work permit expiry in 2026. Increased selection of in-Canada candidates can reduce the chance of status gaps and limit disruption for employers.

At the same time, Express Entry draw size and cutoffs can shift quickly based on intake targets and processing realities. A strong December does not guarantee the same pace in January or February.

What Candidates Can Keep in Mind Now

Candidates who received invitations now move into the application stage, which typically includes document uploads, medical exams, police certificates, and fee payment within the required window.

Candidates who were not invited may still see opportunities in future rounds. Score movement can come from additional work experience, updated language results, or provincial nomination pathways. Keeping an Express Entry profile accurate matters, especially during periods with frequent draws.

Key Takeaways

• The December 16 draw issued 5,000 invitations under the Canadian Experience Class.
• The CRS cutoff was 515, down five points from the prior CEC round.
• Two large CEC rounds within one week are unusual and may reflect heavier year-end selection activity.
• Canadian work experience continues to be a major factor in program-based draws as 2026 approaches.