Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released the results of Express Entry draw #384, inviting 6,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. This marks the largest CEC-focused invitation round since July 2024 and offers renewed hope for applicants who have been waiting through several months of steady CRS cut-offs. To qualify for this draw, candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 520 and must have created their Express Entry profile before 5:30 p.m. UTC on July 15, 2025.

This round stands out not only for its size but also because it breaks the recent pattern of higher CRS thresholds. For many CEC candidates, this signals new momentum within the Express Entry System and a shift in IRCC’s selection priorities for the end of 2025.

Why Express Entry Draw #384 is Significant

The significance of Express Entry draw #384 goes beyond the number of invitations issued. This is the first time in more than 16 months that IRCC has held a CEC draw of this size, and the lower CRS requirement offers a wider group of skilled workers the chance to transition to permanent residence.

In the past several rounds, CEC candidates faced cut-offs of 533 or 534, making it difficult for many working professionals, even those with strong Canadian experience, to secure an ITA. This latest draw reflects IRCC’s effort to support employers by retaining workers already contributing to Canada’s labour market.

The draw also follows a series of high-volume category-based rounds, including a French-language draw with 6,000 invitations and multiple PNP-focused selections earlier in the month. With this CEC round, IRCC has now issued 105,599 ITAs in 2025.

Express Entry Trends Leading Up to Draw #384

Here is how draw #384 fits into this year’s pattern:

Number of draws by category in 2025:

Draw Type	Number of Rounds
Provincial Nominee Program	22
Canadian Experience Class	14
French-language proficiency	8
Healthcare & social services	6
Education	2
Trade	1

ITAs issued by category so far in 2025:

Category	ITAs Issued
French	42,000
Canadian Experience Class	30,850
Healthcare & social services	13,500
Provincial Nominee Program	9,376
Education	3,500
Trade	1,250

CEC candidates have benefited significantly from this year’s strategy, though PNP and French-language draws continue to dominate overall numbers.

How Express Entry Draw #384 Affects CEC Candidates

This large round brings several clear advantages to CEC candidates:

• Lower CRS thresholds compared to recent selections
• Greater access to ITAs for workers with 1-3 years of Canadian experience
• Better chances for those with moderate language scores
• Stronger opportunities for individuals working in high-demand industries

This draw is particularly helpful for candidates who have been monitoring Express Entry latest draw updates and using a CRS calculator for Express Entry to estimate their competitiveness.

CEC remains one of the most straightforward pathways to permanent residence for temporary workers already contributing to Canada’s economy. With many candidates following Express Entry next draw prediction updates, this round may help reset expectations for 2026.

Why IRCC May Be Prioritizing CEC Now

Several factors may have contributed to this large draw:

• Growing demand from employers who need experienced workers to remain in Canada
• Pressure to support economic stability amid labour shortages
• The approaching end of the year, which often includes strategic allocations
• A desire to reduce inventory of strong CEC profiles nearing expiry

CEC applicants bring proven work experience, familiarity with Canadian workplace systems, and established settlement patterns making them valuable contributors to long-term labour planning.

Impact on Future Express Entry Rounds

While Express Entry draw #384 is positive news, it remains unclear whether IRCC will continue issuing large CEC draws into early 2026. Future results will depend on program targets, overall admissions capacity, and how IRCC balances PNP, French-language, and category-based selections.

Candidates should stay proactive by:

• Keeping profiles updated
• Rechecking CRS scores regularly
• Exploring PNP options
• Considering alternative pathways if CRS remains below upcoming thresholds

Working with an experienced immigration consultant in Canada can help applicants explore new strategies as the Express Entry System evolves.

The release of express entry draw #384, with 6,000 CEC invitations, marks an important shift in IRCC’s selection trends and brings new opportunities for skilled workers already living and working in Canada. The reduced CRS cut-off and high number of invitations show a renewed focus on retaining experienced talent. To strengthen your Express Entry profile or explore PNP opportunities, ImmigCanada immigration consulting services can guide you through each step with support from the best RCIC in Canada.