A Historic Week for French Speakers and CEC Candidates
- Gagandeep Singh
- Dec 21, 2025
- 3 min read
As we wrap up the second-to-last week of 2025, the Canadian immigration landscape has delivered a series of "grand finale" moments. For those who have been tracking the scores all year, this week was nothing short of historic.
While many expected the government to wind down for the winter holidays, Minister Lena Metlege Diab and IRCC did the opposite—issuing over 11,000 invitations in a matter of days and dropping the French category score to a level we haven't seen in months.
Express Entry: Category-Based Strategy in Full Force
This week confirmed that IRCC is laser-focused on its 2025 targets. There was no General (All-Program) draw this week. Instead, the department prioritized Canadian experience and official language proficiency.
The Draws Breakdown
Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off |
Dec 17, 2025 | French Language Proficiency | 6,000 | 399 |
Dec 16, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 5,000 | 515 |
Dec 15, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 399 | 731 |
💡 The RCIC Analysis: The "399" Phenomenon
The French Language Proficiency draw is the story of the year. Dropping the score to 399 while inviting 6,000 people is a massive signal to the world. It shows that the government is willing to significantly lower the "points bar" to meet its Francophone immigration targets outside of Quebec. If you have even a foundational knowledge of French, your path to PR is currently the most accessible it has been in years.
The CEC draw at 515 is also a 2025 low for that specific program. With 5,000 invitations, Minister Diab is clearly fulfilling the mandate to transition temporary residents already contributing to the Canadian economy into permanent ones.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Updates
The provinces are also finalizing their 2025 allocations.
Ontario (OINP): On December 17, the OINP officially announced it has reached its 2025 nomination allocation of 10,750. While they will continue to accept and process applications, successful nominees will now be counted against the 2026 quota.
British Columbia (BC PNP): On December 16, BC held a targeted draw for Entrepreneurs, inviting 22 candidates across the Base and Regional Pilot categories.
💡 The RCIC Analysis
Ontario reaching its cap is a reminder of the 50% reduction in provincial allocations we saw earlier this year. However, with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan projecting a significant increase in PNP targets (rising to 91,500), we expect the "cap" anxiety to ease significantly by late January.
Major Update: Business Immigration & Start-Up Visa (SUV)
On December 19, 2025, IRCC issued a pivotal notice regarding the Start-Up Visa Program.
Closure to New Apps: Effective December 31, 2025, IRCC will stop accepting new SUV applications, with a few exceptions for those with valid 2025 commitment certificates.
Work Permit Changes: Effective immediately (Dec 19), IRCC is no longer accepting applications for the optional SUV work permit for those outside of Canada.
The Future: This move is a precursor to a new, targeted pilot program for immigrant entrepreneurs expected to launch in 2026.
💡 The RCIC Analysis
This is a major "reset." The SUV program was becoming backlogged and, in some cases, misused. Minister Diab’s move to pause the program and stop the work permits suggests a shift toward a much more rigorous, merit-based selection process for entrepreneurs. If you were planning an SUV application, you must pivot your strategy immediately to the 2026 pilot or provincial entrepreneur streams.
Leadership Voice: Minister Lena Metlege Diab
This week, Minister Lena Metlege Diab emphasized Canada’s commitment to high-skilled talent and healthcare. In a statement regarding new measures for doctors, she noted, "In support of the Budget 2025 commitment... we are announcing measures to fill critical labour gaps with high-skilled talent."
💡 The RCIC Analysis
Minister Diab, who took over the portfolio in May 2025, is steering the ship toward "sustainable growth." Her personal background as a Lebanese immigrant and her experience as Nova Scotia’s former Immigration Minister are evident in her focus on regional economic needs and the Francophone community.
What to Expect Next Week (Dec 22 – 28)
As we enter the Christmas holiday week:
Draw Pause: Do not expect any Express Entry draws. IRCC typically pauses for the final week of December.
Profile Review: This is the time to check your CRS score. With French scores at 399, many people who weren't competitive last month are suddenly in the "Goldilocks Zone."
🌟 Immigration Tip of the Week
The "Date of Interest" Rule. If you received an ITA in the French draw this week with a score of exactly 399, remember the Tie-Breaking Rule. IRCC only invited those who submitted their profiles before August 24, 2025. If you have 399 but submitted in October, you weren't invited.
Tip: Never wait to enter the pool. Even if your score is low today, your "submission date" is a vital tie-breaker that could be the difference between a PR and another year of waiting.
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