Latest Express Entry Draw On December 17 Issues 6,000 ITAs

Last Updated On 17 December 2025, 3:51 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has conducted another major Express Entry draw, continuing an aggressive pace of invitations that is reshaping the outlook for candidates as Canada heads into 2026.

The latest Express Entry draw, held on December 17, 2025, targeted candidates under the French language proficiency category and issued a massive 6,000 invitations to apply for permanent residency.

This draw is not just significant on its own; it is also important as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score drops below 400.

Full Details Of The December 17 Express Entry Draw

Category: French language proficiency Version 1
Date: December 17, 2025
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 399
Number of invitations issued: 6,000
Rank required: 6,000 or above
Tie-breaking rule: August 24, 2025 at 23:43:05 UTC

If more than one candidate had the lowest score, the cut-off was determined by the date and time their Express Entry profile was submitted, following standard IRCC practice.

A Comprehensive Ranking System cut-off below 400 makes this draw one of the most accessible category-based rounds in recent years, especially for candidates who have invested in improving their French language skills.

December Becomes The Biggest Express Entry Month Of 2025

With the December 17 draw now complete, the numbers tell a striking story.

IRCC has issued a total of 19,522 invitations so far in December alone, and that too in back-to-back weeks.

This already far exceeds the entire month of November, when IRCC issued 12,991 invitations across all Express Entry categories.

Even more striking is the weekly pace. In this week alone, IRCC has sent 11,399 invitations to apply, reflecting a sharp acceleration in processing and selection activity.

This makes December the single highest month for Express Entry invitations in 2025, a milestone that underscores a clear change in direction after months of relatively restrained draws earlier in the year.

The scale and speed of invitations issued this week suggest that IRCC is confident in both its processing capacity and its revised admissions targets.

The surge has come immediately after the announcement of the new Immigration Levels Plan in November 2025, indicating that draw volumes are now being aligned with updated federal priorities.

For candidates in the pool, this shift has dramatically altered expectations.

What was once a cautious and uneven draw pattern has turned into a sustained series of large rounds across multiple categories.

Or as we mentioned yesterday, IRCC could just be in the mood of going on Christmas/New Year vacation by doing the work that needs to be done during that time.

All Express Entry Draws In December So Far

December has seen a diverse mix of general and category-based rounds, covering Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, healthcare occupations, and now French language proficiency.

#	Date	Round type	Invitations issued	CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
388	December 17, 2025	French language proficiency (Version 1)	6,000	399
387	December 16, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	5,000	515
386	December 15, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	399	731
385	December 11, 2025	Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2)	1,000	476
384	December 10, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	6,000	520
383	December 8, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	1,123	729

This mix shows that IRCC is not relying on a single pathway.

Instead, it is distributing invitations strategically across in-Canada applicants, provincial nominees, high-demand occupations, and Francophone candidates.

Why French Language Proficiency Draws Matter More Than Ever

French language proficiency draws have become one of the most powerful tools in Canada’s immigration system.

Candidates who can demonstrate strong French skills gain access to category-based invitations that often feature significantly lower CRS cut-offs compared to general draws.

Strengthening Francophone Communities Outside Quebec

The federal government has made it clear that supporting Francophone minority communities outside Quebec is a national priority.

By issuing large numbers of invitations under the French language category, IRCC is directly contributing to population growth, workforce development, and cultural vitality in provinces such as Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Alberta.

Lower CRS Thresholds Create New Opportunities

A CRS cut-off of 399 is well below the levels (515) typically seen in the Canadian Experience Class draws.

This creates opportunities for candidates who may not possess exceptionally high scores, but bring valuable linguistic and cultural assets to Canada.

For many applicants, investing in French language testing has become a decisive strategy for securing permanent residency faster.

As Canada enters 2026, Express Entry candidates can expect continued emphasis on category-based selection.

French language proficiency, healthcare occupations, and in-Canada experience are all likely to remain focal points.

If December’s momentum carries forward, early 2026 could see additional large draws, especially as IRCC works to meet annual targets efficiently rather than backloading admissions later in the year.

The December 17 Express Entry draw marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s immigration landscape.

With 6,000 invitations issued in a single French language proficiency round, IRCC has demonstrated both capacity and intent to scale up permanent resident admissions.

The clear message is that 11,399 invitations were issued this week alone, and 19,522 have already been issued in December.

December is now the most active Express Entry month of 2025, surpassing November by a wide margin.

For candidates, especially those with French language skills or recent Canadian work experience, the current environment presents some of the strongest opportunities seen all year.

The shift following the November Immigration Levels Plan announcement suggests that this renewed momentum is part of a broader strategy rather than a temporary adjustment.

As the year closes, Express Entry is ending 2025 not with restraint, but with renewed intensity and clear direction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What CRS score is considered competitive for Express Entry?

A competitive CRS score depends on the type of draw. Canadian Experience Class draws usually require higher CRS scores, often above 510s, while category-based draws such as French language proficiency or healthcare occupations can have much lower cut-offs, sometimes below 400.

Does a lower CRS score mean fewer chances of getting PR?

Not necessarily. Candidates with lower CRS scores can still receive invitations through category-based draws, provincial nominations, or by improving factors such as language scores, Canadian work experience, or education credentials.

What happens after receiving an Invitation to Apply?

After receiving an Invitation to Apply, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residency application. This includes uploading documents, completing medical exams, providing police certificates, and paying required fees. IRCC then reviews the application before making a final decision.

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website