IRCC Announces 2025 Express Entry Draw Schedule for Canada

Exciting news is on the horizon for those interested in moving to Canada! A recent report highlights the plans of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system for most of 2025. This is fantastic for international job seekers like you, as it means more opportunities to secure a pathway to permanent residency (PR) through skilled work.

The IRCC is especially focusing on sector-based draws for occupations in Education, Healthcare, and Trades in the upcoming months. This approach aligns with the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027, which aims to shape immigration to meet the country’s needs. Most of the invitations will be issued in the latter half of 2025, contributing to the immigration targets for 2026.

What You Need to Know About Category-Based Draws

In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based draws to target candidates with skills in high-demand sectors. According to the report obtained through an Access to Information Request, the anticipated ITAs for each category in 2025 are as follows:

This indicates that there will be several rounds of category-based draws focusing particularly on Education and Trades occupations in the months ahead.

In-Demand Occupations in 2025

The planned draws will especially focus on:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services roles
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields
• Trade jobs
• Agriculture and agri-food positions
• Education-related roles

If you’re considering roles in these areas, you have a good chance of being invited to apply for PR! Make sure to keep an eye out for job opportunities that offer visa sponsorship, as this can make your transition much smoother.

The Importance of French-Language Proficiency

Canada is also keen on bolstering French-language skills in its immigration strategy, particularly outside of Quebec. In early 2025, IRCC conducted multiple draws for French-speaking candidates, issuing a substantial number of ITAs. This effort aligns with the federal government’s goal to maintain a robust proportion of French-speaking immigrants.

Coordination with Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Another exciting change is the introduction of an ITA calendar that will be shared with provinces and territories. This calendar will outline when draws will occur, the types of draws planned, and estimated minimum scores for the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a points-based system used to assess and score your profile within the Express Entry pool. A higher score increases your chance of receiving an ITA.

This new system aims to improve coordination between federal and provincial immigration processes, ensuring that candidates have better opportunities to be nominated for PR through PNPs.

If you’re exploring opportunities to work in Canada, we invite you to check out our website at VisaJobsCanada.com. Every job listing there includes support for visa sponsorship, making it easier for international applicants like you to find roles suitable for your skills.

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VJC-Express Entry Updates