November 2025 delivered exactly what we expected: continued aggressive category-based selection with a massive emphasis on French speakers and in-Canada experience. IRCC issued six Express Entry draws in November alone, bringing the 2025 year-to-date total to well over 82,000 Invitations to Apply .
Here’s the full breakdown of November 2025 draws:
– Draw #382 – November 28, 2025 : French language proficiency (Category-based) 6,000 ITAs | Lowest CRS: 408
– Draw #381 – November 26, 2025 : Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 1,000 ITAs | Lowest CRS: 531
– Draw #380 – November 25, 2025 : Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 777 ITAs | Lowest CRS: 699
– Draw #379 – November 14, 2025: Healthcare & social services occupations (Category-based, Version 2) 3,500 ITAs | Lowest CRS: 462
– Draw #378 – November 12, 2025 : Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 1,000 ITAs | Lowest CRS: 533
– Draw #377 – November 10, 2025 : Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 714 ITAs | Lowest CRS: 738
What November 2025 draws told us
1. French is the golden ticket right now
The November 28 draw (#382) was the largest single French-proficiency draw ever at 6,000 invitations and a shockingly low CRS of 408. If you have even moderate French skills (NCLC 7+ in all four abilities), you are in a completely different pool from the all-program crowd.
2. CEC remains brutally competitive
Both CEC rounds hovered around 531–533 CRS. If you’re inside Canada with at least one year of skilled work experience, you still need an exceptionally strong profile (high language scores + age + education) to be safe.
3. Healthcare occupations are still a strong pathway
3,500 invitations at CRS 462 shows that category-based selection for in-demand jobs continues to offer much lower cut-offs than general draws.
How to Improve Your CRS Score Starting Today
If your score isn’t cutting it yet, here are the highest-impact actions you can take:
1. Push English to CLB 9 (or higher) in all four skills
2. Learn French
3. Add foreign skilled work experience (if you don’t have it yet)
4. Secure a provincial nomination
Draws held in 2025 has proven that IRCC is laser-focused on French speakers, in-Canada experience, and specific high-demand occupations. If you are stuck in the high-400 to low-500 CRS range, learning French or gaining foreign work experience is now the single fastest way to dramatically increase your score.
If you need assistance with creating an Express Entry profile, submitting a Permanent Residence application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or understanding your available PR pathways, please feel free to contact us at info@alexanderimmigration.ca for a comprehensive evaluation. We are here to guide you through every stage of Canada’s evolving immigration process with clarity, care, and expertise.
Here’s to your Invitation to Apply in 2026!
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policies can change; always verify details on the official IRCC website.