As of December 10, 2025, the latest Canada Express Entry draw (CEC-only) has a CRS cut-off of 520 – and it applies to Nigerians too. This guide explains what that means, shows recent cut-offs, and gives practical strategies Nigerians can use to reach or beat those scores, with direct links to official IRCC pages.
Canada Express Entry Latest Draw Cutoff for Nigerians (December 2025 Update)
If you’re in Nigeria right now refreshing Telegram groups and immigration blogs every week, you’ve probably been asking:
“What’s the latest Express Entry cut-off, and do I still have a chance as a Nigerian?”
Let’s go straight to the current numbers, then I’ll break down what they really mean for you and how you can adapt your strategy.
Latest Express Entry Draw (Applies to Nigerians Too)
As of December 10, 2025, the latest Express Entry round is:
Express Entry Draw #384 – Canadian Experience Class (CEC-only)
- Date: December 10, 2025
- Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC-only)
- CRS cut-off: 520
- Number of invitations (ITAs): 6,000
You can see this confirmed on:
- IRCC’s official “Rounds of invitations” page (scroll to Draw #384).
- A simplified summary table here:
- And analysis on trusted immigration blogs:
There is no separate cut-off for Nigerians. If you’re a Nigerian in the CEC pool with a CRS 520 or higher, and you meet all CEC rules, you’re competing in that same draw like everyone else.
Recent 2025 Draws – So You See the Pattern
Looking at IRCC’s data and tables compiled by sites like CanadaVisa, here’s a snapshot of the latest rounds:
| Draw # | Date (2025) | Type / Category | CRS cut-off | ITAs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 384 | Dec 10 | CEC-only | 520 | 6,000 |
| 383 | Dec 8 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP-only) | 729 | 1,123 |
| 382 | Nov 28 | French-language proficiency (category-based) | 408 | 6,000 |
| 381 | Nov 26 | CEC-only | 531 | 1,000 |
| 380 | Nov 25 | PNP-only | 699 | 777 |
| 379 | Nov 14 | Healthcare & social services occupations | 462 | 3,500 |
| 378 | Nov 12 | CEC-only | 533 | 1,000 |
| 376 | Oct 29 | French-language proficiency (category-based) | 416 | 6,000 |
You can verify these numbers here:
What I personally notice from this pattern
- CEC draws are high – often 520–535 CRS.
- French-language draws are much lower – as low as 408 CRS recently.
- Healthcare & social services draws are also lower than CEC – around 462 CRS.
- PNP-only draws look very high (700+) – but that’s because provincial nominees already have +600 points added to their CRS.
For you as a Nigerian, the real question becomes:
“Given my profile, which type of draw can I realistically target – CEC, French, healthcare, or PNP?”
Is There a Separate Cut-off for Nigerians?
No. Canada does not use different cut-offs by nationality.
Express Entry is a points-based system. Everyone in the pool is ranked with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and IRCC invites the top candidates in each draw.
You can read IRCC’s explanation of how Express Entry works here:
So when you see something like:
“Latest CEC cut-off is 520 CRS”
It really means:
- “If I’m a Nigerian who qualifies for CEC and my CRS is 520+, I would have been in range for an invitation in that latest CEC draw.”
Your passport doesn’t change the score; your age, education, language results, work experience, and Canadian ties do.
How the 2025 Draw Types Affect Nigerians
Since 2023, IRCC has been doing more targeted and category-based draws, not just big general draws.
You now have:
- General draws – invite top CRS profiles across all three main programs.
- Program-specific draws – e.g. CEC-only, PNP-only.
- Category-based draws, focusing on:
- Strong French-language proficiency,
- Healthcare & social services occupations,
- STEM,
- Trades,
- Transport,
- Agriculture & agri-food.
IRCC explains the idea of category-based selection here:
If you’re a Nigerian already in Canada (CEC path)
If you:
- Studied in Canada, and
- Have at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience,
you can qualify for Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Your focus becomes hitting the CRS scores you’re seeing in CEC draws, like 520 in the latest round. You can read official CEC program basics here:
If you’re a Nigerian still in Nigeria
If you’re outside Canada with no Canadian work experience, you probably fall under Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and/or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Given 2025 patterns, two powerful strategies for Nigerians abroad are:
- French-language category draws – recent cut-off 408 CRS, much lower than CEC.
- PNP + Express Entry – get a provincial nomination and add +600 CRS points, then wait for a PNP-only draw (where cut-offs like 729 suddenly become easy for you).
What CRS Score Should a Nigerian Aim For in 2025?
Using the 2025 draw data:
- CEC-only draws: mostly around 520–535 CRS.
- French-language draws: around 408–480 CRS (recent lows: 408 and 416).
- Healthcare/social services draws: about 460–470 CRS.
- PNP-only draws: 699–780+, but remember those are for people who already have +600 via nomination.
If I were mapping my own strategy as a Nigerian, I’d set targets like:
- CEC candidate in Canada: aim for 520+ CRS.
- Outside Canada but willing to learn French: aim for 430–450+ CRS plus strong French so I qualify for French category draws.
- Healthcare/social services professional: aim for 470+ CRS and ensure my NOC matches IRCC’s healthcare category list.
- PNP aspirant: aim for 400–450 CRS as a base, then rely on +600 from a provincial nomination.
You can calculate your exact CRS using:
How Nigerians Can Increase Their CRS to Reach the Latest Cut-off
Here’s how I’d personally approach it if I were planning my own move from Lagos or Abuja.
1. Break down your CRS properly
Don’t guess. Use the official rules and a calculator:
You’ll clearly see where your big gaps are (age, language, education, work, spouse factors).
2. Max out language points (English + French)
For English:
- Aim for CLB 9 or higher (IELTS 8/7/7/7 or better).
For French:
- Even B2 level in TEF/TCF can give you:
- Extra CRS points, and
- Eligibility for French-language draws with cut-offs as low as 408 CRS.
If I were serious about Express Entry in 2025, I’d honestly treat French as a game-changer, not an afterthought.
3. Strengthen your education profile
Things that help:
- Having two or more post-secondary credentials (e.g. HND + PGD, BSc + PGD).
- Getting a Master’s degree (properly assessed via ECA).
IRCC explains how they count foreign education here:
4. Use CEC as a long-term plan
A lot of Nigerians who are now clearing 520+ in CEC draws took this path:
- Come as a student.
- Get Canadian work experience.
- Switch into CEC and then get invited via these CEC-only rounds.
You can read Express Entry program options (FSW, FST, CEC) here:
5. Use Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to your advantage
Most PNPs either:
- Are linked to Express Entry (EE-aligned streams), or
- Have their own process but later push you into Express Entry.
Once a province nominates you:
You receive +600 CRS points, which turns a 430 CRS profile into a 1,030 CRS monster, and the PNP-only draws at 729+ suddenly become easy.
Explore options on:
FAQs – Canada Express Entry Latest Draw Cutoff for Nigerians
1. What is the latest Canada Express Entry cut-off for Nigerians?
The latest draw as of December 10, 2025 is Express Entry Draw #384 (CEC-only), with a CRS cut-off of 520 and 6,000 ITAs issued. Nigerians in the CEC pool are included – there’s no separate cut-off by nationality.
2. Where can I always check the most recent cut-off?
Use the official IRCC page:
For easy-to-read tables and charts, you can also use:
3. Is Express Entry still realistic for Nigerians with CRS around 430?
Yes – but you’ll likely need to change your approach:
- Add French so you can qualify for category-based French draws with much lower cut-offs.
- Target a PNP stream to get a +600 point nomination.
- Improve your language scores or education and update your profile.