Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its Express Entry invitation to apply (ITA) issuance schedule for the remainder of the year 2025, giving new direction for applicants hoping to immigrate through category-based draws. The new calendar was released through an Access to Information Request (ATIP), and it separates more detailed allotments for targeted occupational categories and explains how provinces and territories will sync their nominees over the next several months.
Also Read Canada Announces Express Entry Invitation Roadmap for 2025
Key Markets for High Draws for 2025
IRCC also commenced category-specific draws in 2023 for targeting skilled professionals for priority occupations compatible with the labour requirements of Canada. According to the report by ATIP, categories that shall receive prominent focus for the rest of 2025 are:
- Health and Social Services
- Education
- Trades
Although all six established streams are still active—Healthcare and social services, STEM, Trades, Agriculture and agri-food, Education, and French-language proficiency—the new numbers indicate that healthcare, education, and trades will be the clear winners of the next rounds.
Breaking Down ITA Allocations
ATIP gives a projection of invitations anticipated in relation to those sent out in 2025. The situation currently is this:
| Category | Total ITAs Planned (2025) | ITAs Issued So Far | Remaining ITAs for 2025 |
| Education | 3,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Healthcare | 8,000 | 7,500 | 500 |
| Trades | 3,300 | 0 | 3,300 |
The figures suggest that there would be a rush for draws for education and trade professionals during the final months of the year, and healthcare—after having had the bulk of its turn—may have fewer rounds left.
Francophone Immigration Takes Priority Reaffirms
One of the main areas of focus for the 2025 plan is increasing Francophone immigration from outside of Quebec. This year, IRCC conducted several French-language proficiency draws, distributing 18,500 ITAs from February through March to help meet Canada’s 8.5% French-speaking admission level for 2025.
Moreover, a French-proficiency test round held on August 8, 2025, issued an addition of 2,500 invitations that would also go toward the 2026 immigration levels plan. This is testimony to Ottawa’s long-term commitment toward building French-speaking communities throughout Canada.
ITA Schedule for Supporting Territories and Provinces
In order to better harmonize streams of immigration, IRCC shall also offer provinces and territories a scheduled ITA calendar. The calendar shall offer a rolling, three-month outlook and shall contain:
- Weeks in which the draws need to occur
- The round shape (general, category, or French proficiency)
Estimated Minimum CRS cut-off for Upcoming Draws
This step aims at providing provincial governments with improved forecasting, thus allowing them to synchronize their programs of nomination programs for further referral in line with federal objectives and facilitating Canada’s general immigration levels plan for 2025–2027.
What This Means for Job Applicants
The new ITA table for well-qualified workers from education, trades, or healthcare fields also provides renewed optimism since there are substantial allocations available for the balance of 2025. French-speaking candidates also enjoy healthy prospects, further, since Ottawa continues its long-term Francophone immigration objectives. While Canada goes through preparations for reaching its 2026 immigration levels, the latter half of 2025 should remain busy, and several rounds are yet to come. Applicants should maintain active and up-to-date profiles and stay competitive in their own categories.
