IRCC has kicked off 2025 with its first Express Entry draw, offering 471 invitations to candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to candidates in its first Express Entry draw of 2025. A total of 471 invitations to apply (ITAs) were given to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with the lowest eligible Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score standing at 793.
This draw marks the first Express Entry selection of the year, following a series of PNP and French language proficiency draws in December 2024. The December draws saw 2,561 ITAs issued, with a combination of PNP candidates and French-language proficient candidates being selected.
Looking ahead, IRCC plans to continue focusing its selection on specific categories of candidates, particularly those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), PNP, and French-language proficiency categories. These areas are set to dominate the Express Entry draws in 2025, continuing the trend seen in 2024. In fact, these three categories are expected to form a large portion of the immigration department's intake in the coming year, with a focus on those with professional experience in healthcare, trades, and French-language skills.
IRCC's new Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 emphasizes the importance of these "Federal Economic priorities," particularly the focus on healthcare professionals and candidates with trade expertise. The plan also highlights the "In-Canada Focus" category, which will prioritize candidates from the CEC and PNP streams, and may even extend to individuals from other Express Entry programs. This focus on Canadian workers is aimed at filling labor shortages and boosting economic growth.
To better understand the breakdown of Express Entry draws in 2024, here is a summary of key dates, ITAs issued, and minimum CRS scores:
These are just a few of the many draws conducted throughout 2024, with the department regularly adjusting the number of ITAs based on the labor market and immigration priorities.
Express Entry is Canada's key system for managing immigration applications. It governs three federal economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Candidates submit profiles to the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked according to the CRS, which considers factors like education, work experience, and age. Those with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residency.
Once invited, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application. If the application is approved, the candidate receives Canadian permanent residency and can eventually apply for citizenship.
In 2025, as IRCC continues to focus on labor market needs and address workforce gaps, Express Entry remains one of the primary pathways for skilled immigrants to settle and thrive in Canada.
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