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IRCC Conducts First Category-Based Express Entry Draw Of 2025, Invites 6,500 Candidates

IRCC Conducts First Category-Based Express Entry Draw of 2025, Invites 6,500 Candidates

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    Latest Express Entry draw invites 6,500 French language proficiency candidates for PR

    In a significant development for Canadian immigration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 6,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the first category-based Express Entry draw of 2025. This latest draw, held on February 19, targeted candidates with strong French language proficiency.

    This latest round of invitations required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. Additionally, candidates had to have created their Express Entry profile on or before 2:52:14 a.m. (UTC) on November 14, 2024, to be considered.

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    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Key Highlights Of The February 19 Draw

    • French language proficiency (Version 1)
    • Number of invitations issued: 6,500
    • Rank required to be invited to apply: 6,500
    • Date and time of round: February 19, 2025 at 16:18:12 UTC
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 428
    • Tie-breaking rule: February 10, 2025 at 16:41:38 UTC

    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

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    Key Details Of The Draw

    To qualify for an invitation in this round, candidates needed to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 428. Additionally, they must submit their Express Entry profile before 4:41 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on February 10, 2025.
    This draw marks the fourth Express Entry invitation round of the month, following two Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw earlier in February. So far, IRCC has issued a total of 11,601 ITAs this month alone.

    Trends In Express Entry Draws

    Based on the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC is expected to continue prioritizing candidates under two main selection streams:
    IRCC’s selection patterns in 2024 frequently targeted candidates from specific categories, including:
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
    • Enhanced PNPs (aligned with Express Entry)
    • French-language proficiency streams

    This strategy aligns with the goals outlined in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, which prioritizes candidates already residing in Canada or those with skills that address critical labor market needs.

    Express Entry Trends In 2025

    The year’s initial draws have primarily focused on CEC and PNP candidates, aligning with IRCC’s strategy to meet its immigration targets outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. This plan has allocated a total of 82,890 permanent resident admissions under the “In-Canada Focus” category for 2025, which prioritizes candidates already residing in Canada.
    It is important to note that while ITAs are issued through Express Entry, actual immigration admissions, or “landings,” occur when candidates officially enter Canada and finalize their permanent residence process. Receiving an ITA allows candidates to apply for permanent residence, but it does not guarantee admission.

    Express Entry: Canada’s Largest Federal Immigration Pathway

    Express Entry manages applications for three economic immigration programs:

    Additionally, Provincial Nominee Program candidates may receive an “enhanced nomination” through Express Entry, amplifying their CRS scores and improving their chances of selection.

    Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with provincial nominations receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

    Summary Of Express Entry Draws In 2025

    Below is a summary of Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2025: 7 draws held, with 17,240 ITAs issued
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : 9,350
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 926
    • French language proficiency: 6,500
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    337 February 19 French language 6,500 428
    336 February 17 PNP 646 750
    335 February 05 CEC 4,000 521
    334 February 04 PNP 455 802
    333 January 23 CEC 4,000 527
    332 January 8 CEC 1,350 542
    331 January 7 PNP 471 793
    Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    December 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,085 727
    December 03 French language proficiency 800 466
    December 02 Provincial Nominee Program 676 705
    November 20 Healthcare occupations 3000 463
    November 19 Canadian Experience Class 400 539
    November 18 Provincial Nominee Program 174 816
    November 15 French language proficiency (Version 1) 800 478
    November 13 Canadian Experience Class 400 547
    November 12 Provincial Nominee Program 733 812
    October 23 Trade occupations (Version 1) 1,800 433
    October 22 Canadian Experience Class 400 539
    October 21 Provincial Nominee Program 648 791
    October 10 French language proficiency (Version 1) 1,000 444
    October 9 Canadian Experience Class 500 539
    October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743
    September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509
    September 13 French language proficiency (Version 1) 1,000 446
    September 09 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732
    August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507
    August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694
    August 15 French language proficiency (Version 1) 2,000 394
    August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509
    August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690
    July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510
    July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686
    July 18 French language proficiency (Version 1) 1,800 400
    July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515
    July 16 latest PNP-only draw 1,391 670
    July 8 French language proficiency (Version 1) 3,200 420
    July 5 Healthcare occupations Draw (Version 1) 3,750 445
    July 4 Trade occupations (Version 1) 1,800 436
    July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739
    June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663
    May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522
    May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676
    April 24 French language proficiency (2024-1) 1,400 410
    April 23 New Express Entry- General Category Draw 2,095 529
    April 11 STEM Occupations Express Entry Draw 4,500 491
    April 10 General Express Entry Draw 1,280 549
    March 26 French language proficiency 1500 388
    March 25 General Draw 1980 524
    March 13 Transport occupations (2024-1) 975 430
    March 12 General 2850 525
    February 29 French language proficiency (2024-1) 2500 336
    February 28 General Draw 1470 534
    February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437
    February 14 Healthcare Occupations 3500 422
    February 13 General 1,490 535
    February 1 French language proficiency (2023-1) 7,000 365
    January 31 Express Entry General Draw 730 541
    January 23 General Second Express Entry Draw Of 2024 1,040 543
    January 10 General First Express Entry Draw Of 2024 1,510 546
    The table reflects the diversity of draws conducted this year, ensuring opportunities for candidates across various streams.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Improving CRS Scores For Future Draws

    For candidates looking to improve their chances of receiving an ITA, several strategies can help boost CRS scores:
    • Provincial Nomination: Receiving a nomination from a Canadian province adds 600 points to an applicant’s CRS score, significantly increasing their chances of selection in an Express Entry draw.
    • Enhancing Language Proficiency: Strong language skills, particularly in English or French, can contribute up to 310 CRS points. Candidates with a spouse or common-law partner can earn additional points through combined language scores.
    • Choosing the Right Principal Applicant: If a spouse or partner has a higher CRS score, switching the principal applicant in an Express Entry profile can improve the likelihood of receiving an ITA.
    • Educational Credentials: Obtaining additional academic qualifications or securing an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees can contribute up to 250 CRS points.
    • Work Experience: Gaining more skilled work experience in Canada or abroad can significantly enhance CRS scores. Proper documentation of work experience can also maximize points.

    Additionally, Express Entry aligns with certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), allowing provinces to nominate candidates for permanent residency through an enhanced PNP process.

    Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with provincial nominations receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

    A Gateway for Economic Immigration Record-Breaking Targets for 2025

    Express Entry is poised to play a pivotal role in Canada’s immigration strategy this year. According to the latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC aims to welcome 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry programs in 2025. This ambitious target underscores the system’s importance as the largest pathway for economic immigration.
    • French language proficiency
    • Healthcare occupations
    • STEM fields

    To address labor market needs, IRCC has introduced category-based selections in Express Entry draws. These categories target candidates with specific skills, occupations, or language abilities, such as:

    Benefits of Permanent Residency

    Achieving PR status through Express Entry grants newcomers the freedom to live, work, and settle anywhere in Canada. With access to healthcare, education, and social benefits, PR holders can build a secure and prosperous future for themselves and their families.
    For candidates exploring Canadian immigration, programs like Express Entry offer unparalleled opportunities to achieve permanent residency and contribute to Canada’s dynamic economy and diverse communities.

    Looking Ahead

    With IRCC continuing to focus on category-based selection draws and in-Canada candidates, Express Entry applicants should stay informed about upcoming invitation rounds and potential CRS cut-off trends. Future draws may target additional categories such as healthcare, STEM occupations, and trades.

    For those interested in applying through Express Entry, understanding the evolving selection criteria and working on improving CRS scores can enhance their chances of securing permanent residence in Canada.

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