In 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system, used to manage applications for people who want to become permanent residents, went through major changes. These updates affected who could get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and how candidates were selected.
Some of the biggest changes included removing points for arranged employment and restructuring priority categories. If you are thinking about applying to immigrate to Canada, it’s important to understand what happened in 2025 and how it might affect your chances.
Total Invitations to Apply (ITAs) and Draw Types
In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 113,998 ITAs across 58 Express Entry draws. This was 15,195 more than in 2024, which shows Canada is inviting more people to apply for permanent residence.
- 59% of invitations were given through category-based selection, which targets people with specific skills or in certain job sectors.
- The rest went through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
From January to April, the focus was mostly on CEC, PNP, and French-language draws. Later in the year, more categories like healthcare and social services were included.
Category or Program – Draws and ITAs
| Category or program | Number of draws | Number of ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 9 | 48,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 15 | 35,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 7 | 14,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 24 | 10,898 |
| Education | 2 | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1 | 1,250 |
Even though there were only 9 French-language draws (16% of all draws), they gave the most invitations, ranging from 2,500 to 7,500 per draw. This matches Canada’s goal to attract more Francophone immigrants outside Quebec.
Healthcare and social services draws were smaller but still important, helping fill priority job gaps. PNP draws made up 41% of all draws, while CEC draws accounted for 26%, showing a strong focus on candidates already living in Canada.
Interestingly, there were no general draws this year, meaning draws open to all candidates were paused. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and agriculture draws also did not happen. Candidates in these fields had to rely on PNP or CEC draws.
Month-by-Month ITA Distribution
| 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 |
Key points from monthly data:
- December saw the largest number of ITAs, almost 20,000.
- April had the fewest ITAs, only 1,246.
- From September to December, IRCC increased invitations to meet immigration targets for 2026.
CRS Scores by Draw Type
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores decide who gets an ITA. In 2025, category-based draws generally had lower CRS requirements, making it easier for some candidates to get an invitation.
| Category or program | CRS cut-off score range |
|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 379–481 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 515–547 |
| Healthcare and social services | 462–510 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 699–855 |
| Education | 462–479 |
| Trade | 505 |
Some trends to notice:
- French-language draws had the lowest CRS cut-offs, sometimes in the high 300s.
- CEC draws held a steady cut-off of 533–534 for five consecutive draws between August and November.
- December draws generally had lower CRS cut-offs due to larger ITA distributions.
Major Express Entry Changes in 2025
Several key changes affected how candidates were selected for permanent residence:
- More PR spots through Express Entry: The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan targeted 124,680 PR admissions, up from 110,770 in 2024. About 66% of these spots were for people already in Canada, mostly via CEC and aligned PNP programs.
- Category changes in February: Express Entry occupational categories were updated. Some occupations were added, some removed, and new categories like Education were introduced. Healthcare expanded to include some social service roles.
| Category | Occupations added | Occupations removed |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and social services | 8 | 6 |
| STEM | 6 | 19 |
| Trade | 19 | 4 |
| Agriculture and agri-food | 0 | 2 |
- New category for physicians: In December, IRCC added “Physicians with Canadian work experience”, requiring 12 months of work in Canada in the past three years. Early 2026 draws will begin for this category.
- Job offer points removed: From March 2025, candidates no longer receive CRS points for arranged employment, which could lower scores by 50–200 points.
- Upfront medical exams: From August 21, 2025, candidates must complete an Immigration Medical Exam before applying, instead of after.
Q: What is Express Entry?
A: Express Entry is Canada’s online system to manage applications for people who want permanent residence. Candidates get points for age, education, work experience, and language skills.
Q: Who got invited more in 2025?
A: Candidates who speak French, work in healthcare or social services, or already live in Canada under CEC had the most invitations.
Q: Did job offers help my score in 2025?
A: No, from March 25, 2025, CRS points for arranged employment were removed.
Q: Do I need a medical exam?
A: Yes, from August 21, 2025, you must complete a medical exam before applying for PR under Express Entry.
Q: Will these changes continue in 2026?
A: Some changes, like targeted draws and category adjustments, are expected to continue. The total PR spots are slightly reduced in 2026, so competition may increase.
Conclusion
2025 was a year of big changes and new priorities in Canada’s Express Entry system. Candidates already in Canada, French speakers, and those in healthcare or priority trades had the best chances. Knowing the changes can help you plan and prepare your Express Entry profile for 2026.
