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IRCC Conducts Second Express Entry Draw of the Week, Issuing 7,500 ITAs

IRCC Conducts Second Express Entry Draw of the Week, Issuing 7,500 ITAs

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    IRCC invites 7500 Express Entry candidates in second draw of the week

    In a significant move to boost immigration numbers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 7,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw held on March 21, 2025.
    This draw, targeting candidates with strong French language proficiency, marks the second invitation round of the week and the fourth of the month.
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    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    • Number of ITAs: 7,500
    • Date and time of round: March 21, 2025 at 14:41:58 UTC
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 379
    • Tie-breaking rule: March 06, 2025 at 02:53:27 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.
    Invitations to apply to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program may be issued through this round of invitations.
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    Express Entry Draw Highlights

    The latest Express Entry draw had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 379, making it the lowest CRS requirement in over a year. To qualify, candidates needed to have created an Express Entry profile before 2:53 AM Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on March 6, 2025.
    This round follows a previous Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on March 17, where 536 candidates were invited with a higher CRS cut-off of 736. The focus on French-speaking candidates in the latest draw underscores IRCC’s continued efforts to promote linguistic diversity and encourage Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.

    Breakdown of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Canada has maintained an active immigration strategy throughout 2025, with multiple Express Entry draws conducted across different categories. Below is a summary of the draws held so far:

    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: 11 draws held, with 30,683 ITAs issued

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : 9,350
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 2833
    • French language proficiency: 18,500
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    341 March 21 French language 7,500 379
    340 March 17 PNP 536 736
    339 March 06 French language 4,500 410
    338 March 03 PNP 725 667
    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

    So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 30,683 ITAs through various Express Entry draws, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to maintaining strong immigration levels.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    IRCC's Strategy: Emphasis on Francophone and In-Canada Candidates

    IRCC has consistently focused on inviting candidates already residing in Canada, aligning with policies that prioritize domestic applicants. This approach aims to address labor shortages more efficiently by selecting candidates who are already integrated into the workforce. The continued emphasis on French-speaking applicants also supports the government’s goal of increasing Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
    Although Prime Minister Mark Carney has yet to release a Mandate Letter for newly appointed Immigration Minister Rachel Bendayan, early trends indicate that these policies will likely continue. Carney has previously expressed strong support for attracting skilled workers who can contribute to the economy and help Canada meet its ambitious immigration targets.

    Understanding the Express Entry Process and Tie-Breaking Rules

    For candidates participating in Express Entry, maintaining an active profile is crucial. Express Entry profiles remain valid for up to one year, after which they expire. If a candidate does not receive an ITA within this period, they must create a new profile to remain in the pool.

    Additionally, IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule to select candidates when multiple applicants meet the CRS cut-off. In such cases, priority is given to those who submitted their profiles before the specified cut-off date and time. For example, in the latest draw, only candidates who submitted their profile before 2:53 AM UTC on March 6, 2025, were eligible for an ITA.

    What is Express Entry?

    Express Entry is Canada’s primary system for managing applications for economic immigration. It oversees three key federal immigration programs:

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Targets skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Targets skilled trade workers with specific qualifications.
    • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Targets skilled professionals with international work experience and educational qualifications.

    Candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is calculated based on factors such as:

    • Age
    • Education
    • Language proficiency in English and French
    • Work experience
    • Adaptability and connections to Canada

    Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through a PNP stream are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.

    Changes to CRS Scoring in 2025

    IRCC has confirmed that it plans to remove additional CRS points for job offers under arranged employment starting in Spring 2025. Currently, candidates with a valid job offer can receive an additional 50 to 200 CRS points, depending on the type of position.

    This change may shift the CRS distribution in future draws and could impact candidates relying on job offers to boost their scores.

    What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates?

    With multiple draws expected in the coming months, candidates should continue monitoring CRS trends and improving their scores where possible. Potential applicants can enhance their eligibility by:
    • Improving their language test scores (IELTS or TEF for French)
    • Gaining additional work experience
    • Pursuing further education credentials
    • Securing a Provincial Nomination, which significantly boosts CRS scores

    As IRCC continues to refine its immigration policies, Express Entry remains one of the most efficient pathways for skilled workers to obtain Canadian permanent residency. Candidates who meet eligibility criteria and remain proactive in the pool have promising opportunities ahead.

    Looking Ahead

    The March 17 draw underscores IRCC’s strategic approach to immigration, targeting high-scoring candidates with provincial nominations. As the year progresses, Express Entry is expected to continue focusing on labor market demands, with more targeted draws for healthcare, trade, education, and French-speaking professionals.
    For prospective immigrants, securing a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to boost their CRS score and receive an invitation in future draws.

    With additional changes to CRS scoring on the horizon, staying updated on Express Entry trends and provincial program updates will be key to securing permanent residence in Canada.

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