Express Entry 2025 Year in Review : Invitations Issued and Key Developments
Canada Express Entry 2025 Recap
Canada’s Express Entry system went through one of its most transformative years in 2025. From targeted draws and revised CRS scoring to new immigration categories and a sharper focus on in-Canada talent, the year marked a clear shift in how Canada selects skilled immigrants.
Express Entry in 2025: A Year of Targeted Immigration
Total Invitations Issued: Strong Growth Compared to 2024
In 2025, IRCC issued 113,998 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across 58 Express Entry draws, representing a significant increase over the previous year.
Compared to 2024:
- More than 15,000 additional invitations were issued
- Category-based selection accounted for nearly 60% of all ITAs
- Draws were heavily concentrated on candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy
This growth highlights Canada’s continued reliance on skilled immigration despite tighter selection criteria.
Express Entry 2025: ITAs Issued by Category and Program
| Express Entry Category / Program | Number of Draws (2025) | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 9 | 48,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 15 | 35,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 7 | 14,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 24 | 10,898 |
| Education | 2 | 3,500 |
| Trades | 1 | 1,250 |
| Total | 58 Draws | 113,998 ITAs |
What the ITA Distribution Reveals About Canada’s Immigration Priorities
- French-language proficiency draws issued the highest number of invitations, even with fewer draw rounds, underscoring Canada’s commitment to Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
- Canadian Experience Class draws remained frequent, highlighting IRCC’s preference for candidates already working and settling in Canada.
- Healthcare and social services professionals continued to receive priority due to critical labour shortages nationwide.
- PNP-linked invitations reinforced the role of provinces in meeting regional workforce demands.
- Education and trades draws, though limited, were used strategically to fill niche gaps.
Month-by-Month Express Entry Activity in 2025
- Lowest ITA issuance: April
- Highest ITA issuance: December, accounting for nearly 17% of all invitations
| Month | Number of ITAs issued |
|---|---|
| January | 5,821 |
| February | 11,601 |
| March | 13,261 |
| April | 1,246 |
| May | 2,511 |
| June | 7,405 |
| July | 7,558 |
| August | 6,417 |
| September | 10,018 |
| October | 15,647 |
| November | 12,991 |
| December | 19,522 |
This late-year surge suggests IRCC accelerated selections to meet annual targets and prepare for 2026 admission planning.
CRS Score Trends: How Competitive Was Express Entry in 2025?
- French-language draws recorded the lowest cut-offs, often in the high 300s
- CEC consistently exceeded 515 points, even after job offer points were removed
- PNP draws remained the highest due to nomination-linked scoring
- Category-based draws offered mid-range CRS candidates a realistic pathway to PR
An unusual trend emerged between August and November, when CEC cut-offs remained nearly unchanged across multiple draws, indicating controlled invitation volumes.
Major Express Entry Policy Changes Introduced in 2025
Increased PR Admissions with an In-Canada Focus Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan allocated a majority of Express Entry admissions to candidates already in Canada, reinforcing the importance of Canadian work experience.
February 2025 Category Overhaul IRCC reshuffled occupational categories, introduced education as a new priority, expanded healthcare to include social services, and significantly reduced STEM eligibility.
February 2025 Category Overhaul IRCC reshuffled occupational categories, introduced education as a new priority, expanded healthcare to include social services, and significantly reduced STEM eligibility.
New Physician-Specific Express Entry Category A new category for physicians with Canadian work experience was announced in December, with draws scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Removal of CRS Points for Job Offers From March 2025, arranged employment no longer contributed CRS points, fundamentally changing Express Entry competitiveness.
Mandatory Upfront Medical Exams From August onward, applicants were required to complete immigration medical exams before submitting PR applications.
What Express Entry Applicants Should Expect in 2026
The trends set in 2025 point toward:
- Continued reliance on category-based draws
- Strong preference for in-Canada candidates
- Growing advantage for French-speaking applicants
- Increased competition due to slightly reduced admission targets
Governor General’s Role Remains Advisory
Key Questions for Canadian PR
Canada issued tens of thousands of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry. The year saw a strong focus on category-based and PNP-linked draws, reflecting Canada’s shift toward targeted immigration rather than large all-program draws.
CRS cut-off scores varied significantly in 2025. While category-based draws often had lower CRS thresholds, PNP-specific draws remained high due to the additional 600 CRS points from provincial nominations. Overall, CRS trends showed that profile relevance mattered more than raw points.
PNPs played a critical role in Express Entry in 2025. Many draws were either PNP-only or strongly aligned with provincial labor needs. Candidates with provincial nominations enjoyed near-guaranteed success, making PNP pathways one of the most reliable routes to Canadian PR.
- Improving language scores
- Gaining experience in in-demand occupations
- Exploring Express Entry–aligned PNP streams
- Targeting category-based eligibility rather than waiting for general draws
Final Thoughts
As Canada moves deeper into 2026, staying informed and strategically prepared will be essential for anyone aiming to secure permanent residence through Express Entry.
Recent News
- Canada Invites 4,000 Healthcare Professionals in First Category-Based Draw of 2026
- Canada Launches First-Ever 2026 Physician-Focused Express Entry Draw
- Canada Introduces Three New Express Entry Priority Categories for PR
- Canada Invites 6,000 CEC Candidates in Major Express Entry Draw
- Canada Holds New Express Entry Draw for Provincial Nominees on February 16
