Express Entry 2025 Explained

January 6, 2026
CIC News Update
Analysis, Canada, Express Entry
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How Canada Redefined Skilled Immigration Last Year

The year 2025 proved to be a turning point for Canada’s Express Entry system. What was once a largely score-driven immigration mechanism evolved into a highly targeted selection model aimed at filling precise labour gaps and strengthening Canada’s domestic workforce.

From revised draw strategies to major policy interventions, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) used Express Entry as a tool for economic fine-tuning rather than mass selection. Here’s a complete breakdown of how the system functioned in 2025, who benefited the most, and what the changes signal for future applicants.

A Strategic Shift: Why Express Entry Looked Different in 2025

Unlike previous years, Express Entry in 2025 moved away from open competition and leaned heavily toward intentional, occupation-based selection. Instead of inviting the highest-scoring profiles across the board, IRCC increasingly prioritised candidates who met Canada’s immediate workforce and linguistic needs.

This shift reflected a broader government approach: selecting fewer, more relevant candidates rather than simply issuing higher volumes of invitations.

How Many Invitations Were Issued in 2025?

Over the course of the year, IRCC issued 113,998 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through 58 Express Entry draws, exceeding the total number of invitations released in 2024.

Key observations:

The majority of invitations were issued through category-based draws
Draws were more frequent for in-Canada candidates
Selection criteria became more specialised as the year progressed

This data confirms that Express Entry remains central to Canada’s immigration strategy, even as eligibility rules tighten.

Express Entry Invitations by Category: 2025 Breakdown

A closer look at draw distribution reveals where Canada placed its immigration focus during the year.

Express Entry Stream	Draws Conducted	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
Trades	1	1,250
Total	58	113,998

What This Distribution Tells Us About Canada’s Priorities

The numbers from 2025 send a clear message:

French-speaking applicants were a top priority, receiving the highest number of invitations despite limited draw rounds.
Workers already living in Canada continued to dominate selection through regular CEC draws.
Healthcare and social service professionals were actively targeted due to ongoing staffing shortages.
Provincial nominations remained essential for region-specific labour needs.
Education and trade occupations were addressed selectively rather than broadly.

Notably, general Express Entry draws did not occur at all, signalling a permanent departure from one-size-fits-all selection.

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When Were Most Invitations Issued?

Invitation activity throughout 2025 was uneven. IRCC adopted a cautious approach in the first half of the year before significantly increasing invitation volumes toward year-end.

Early 2025 saw limited draw sizes
A strong acceleration began in September
December recorded the highest number of ITAs for the year

This pattern suggests IRCC used the final quarter to align intake numbers with future immigration targets.

CRS Scores in 2025: A Changing Competitive Landscape

CRS cut-off scores varied widely depending on draw type and eligibility category.

French-language draws consistently recorded the lowest CRS thresholds
CEC cut-offs remained high throughout the year, even after scoring changes
PNP rounds continued to have elevated CRS scores due to nomination bonuses
Category-based draws created new opportunities for candidates with moderate CRS scores

One of the year’s most unusual trends was the repeated use of nearly identical CRS cut-offs across multiple CEC draws, indicating deliberate control over selection volumes.

Major Express Entry Policy Developments in 2025

Higher Admissions With an In-Canada Focus

Canada’s immigration levels plan allocated the majority of Express Entry admissions to applicants already residing and working in the country, reinforcing domestic retention over overseas recruitment.

Overhaul of Eligible Occupations

In early 2025, IRCC restructured Express Entry categories, introduced education as a new priority stream, expanded healthcare eligibility, and reduced the scope of STEM occupations.

New Pathway for Physicians

Toward the end of the year, IRCC announced a specialised Express Entry category for doctors with Canadian work experience, set to launch in 2026.

Elimination of Job Offer CRS Points

From March 2025 onward, arranged employment no longer contributed CRS points, shifting the balance toward skills, language proficiency, and experience.

Mandatory Upfront Medical Exams

Applicants were required to complete immigration medical examinations before submitting PR applications, streamlining application processing.

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What Express Entry 2025 Signals for 2026 and Beyond

The developments of 2025 offer strong indicators for future applicants:

Targeted draws will dominate Express Entry selections
Canadian work experience will remain a decisive advantage
French-language proficiency will continue to lower CRS barriers
Category eligibility may outweigh raw CRS scores

With admission levels slightly reduced for 2026, competition is expected to intensify.

Final Analysis

Express Entry in 2025 was less about volume and more about precision. Canada used the system to attract workers who were already contributing, or could immediately contribute to the economy.

For prospective immigrants, the lesson is clear: success in Express Entry now depends on alignment with Canada’s evolving priorities rather than simply achieving a high CRS score.

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