The year 2025 brought major changes to Canada’s Express Entry system, reshaping how candidates were selected for permanent residence. From revised CRS scoring rules to a strong shift toward category-based draws, Express Entry in 2025 clearly reflected Canada’s changing immigration priorities.
At Oasis Visas, we closely tracked these developments to help candidates understand who benefited the most, how invitations were distributed and what policy changes mattered the most for future applicants.
Express Entry Draws and Invitations in 2025
In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 113,998 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through 58 Express Entry draws. This marked a noticeable increase compared to 2024, when fewer invitations were issued across 52 draws.
A clear trend emerged during the year category-based selection dominated the system, accounting for nearly 59% of all ITAs. The remaining invitations were issued mainly through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
From January through April, IRCC focused heavily on CEC, PNP and French-language proficiency draws. As the year progressed, draws expanded to include other priority categories, especially healthcare and social services, reflecting Canada’s urgent labour market needs.
Category-Based Draw Highlights
Although French-language proficiency draws made up only a small portion of total draws, they issued the highest number of invitations overall. Each French draw invited between 2,500 and 7,500 candidates, strongly aligning with Canada’s goal of increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Healthcare and social services also remained a major focus, as Canada worked to address staffing shortages in essential sectors. Trades and education categories saw fewer draws but still played a strategic role in filling labour gaps.
Notably, no general Express Entry draws were conducted in 2025. The last all-program draw took place in April 2024, confirming IRCC’s move toward more targeted and occupation-specific selection.
Monthly Invitation Trends in 2025
Invitation volumes fluctuated throughout the year, with a sharp increase toward the final quarter. September to December saw a significant surge, as IRCC worked to meet annual immigration targets.
- December recorded the highest number of ITAs, accounting for about 17% of all invitations issued in 2025.
- April saw the lowest activity, with just over 1% of total invitations.
This pattern indicates that IRCC relied heavily on end-of-year draws to balance admissions targets.
CRS Cut-Off Trends Across Draw Types
CRS cut-off scores varied widely depending on the draw category:
- French-language draws recorded the lowest CRS scores, often falling into the high 300s
- CEC draws remained competitive, with cut-offs generally above 515
- PNP draws had the highest scores, reflecting the additional points from provincial nominations
Category-based selection once again proved beneficial for candidates with lower CRS scores but relevant skills or language abilities.
An interesting trend appeared in CEC draws between August and November, where CRS scores stayed almost unchanged for several consecutive rounds, even after the removal of job offer points earlier in the year.
Major Express Entry Policy Changes in 2025
Higher PR Targets Through Express Entry
Canada increased its permanent residence targets under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, placing stronger emphasis on candidates already living and working in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of admissions were allocated to applicants under the In-Canada Focus, including CEC and Express Entry-aligned PNP candidates.
Overhaul of Express Entry Categories
In February 2025, IRCC restructured Express Entry categories. Transportation was removed, Education was added and several occupations were added or removed across existing categories. Healthcare was expanded to include select social services roles.
The priority categories for 2025 were:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services
- Trades
- Education
New Category for Physicians
In December, IRCC announced a new category for physicians with Canadian work experience, set to begin draws in early 2026. Additional measures were also introduced to fast-track PR and work permits for internationally trained doctors.
Removal of Job Offer CRS Points
From March 25, 2025, candidates no longer received CRS points for arranged employment. This change significantly reshaped ranking outcomes and placed greater importance on skills, experience and language proficiency.
Upfront Medical Exams Made Mandatory
From August 21, 2025, Express Entry applicants were required to complete their medical exams before submitting PR applications, adding a new compliance step for candidates.
What This Means for Future Applicants
Express Entry in 2025 marked a clear shift toward targeted immigration, favouring candidates already in Canada, those with strong French skills and applicants working in priority occupations.
As Canada moves into 2026 with adjusted immigration targets and new categories, staying informed and strategically prepared is more important than ever.
At Oasis Visas, we help candidates understand these changes, assess eligibility and plan the right Express Entry strategy based on the latest IRCC trends.
