What We Can Learn from Express Entry Draws in 2025 So Far
As of July 24, 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system has held 27 draws, providing deep insight into immigration trends and priorities. These mid-year patterns reflect significant shifts from previous years, especially in draw types, CRS scores, and category priorities.
Let’s explore what 2025 has shown us so far—and what might lie ahead.
Draw Frequency: Consistent but Changing Focus
From January to July 2025:
- 27 draws were held (same as 2024, more than 2023’s 22 draws).
- Monthly draw frequency remained high.
- A noticeable increase in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws marked a change in focus compared to prior years.
|
Year |
Draws (Jan–24 July) |
|
2025 |
27 |
|
2024 |
27 |
|
2023 |
22 |
Total Invitations to Apply (ITAs): Fewer than Before
Despite steady draw frequency, fewer ITAs have been issued:
- 49,403 ITAs in 2025 so far
- Down from 62,615 in 2024 and 69,148 in 2023
This aligns with Canada’s decision to slow immigration temporarily due to housing and affordability concerns.
|
Year |
ITAs (Jan–24 July) |
|
2025 |
49,403 |
|
2024 |
62,615 |
|
2023 |
69,148 |
Breakdown of Draw Types in 2025
|
Draw Type |
Number of Draws |
ITAs Issued |
|
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
7 |
18,850 |
|
French-Language Proficiency |
3 |
18,500 |
|
PNP |
13 |
6,053 |
|
Healthcare & Social Services |
3 |
5,000 |
|
Education |
1 |
1,000 |
Insights:
- CEC and French draws accounted for over 75% of ITAs.
- French draws issued high ITAs in fewer rounds.
- PNP had the highest number of draws but contributed only 12.2% of ITAs.
- Occupational category draws were limited and smaller in size.
CRS Score Trends in 2025
|
Draw Type |
Lowest CRS |
Highest CRS |
|
Canadian Experience Class |
518 |
547 |
|
French-Language Proficiency |
379 |
428 |
|
Healthcare & Social Services |
475 |
510 |
|
Education |
479 |
— |
Key Takeaways:
- CEC scores are trending lower due to more frequent, larger draws.
- French draws saw the lowest CRS but may rise again after long pauses.
- Healthcare and Education draws remained competitive with moderate CRS thresholds.
What to Expect for the Rest of 2025
1. More Focused Draws
IRCC is prioritizing:
- CEC applicants
- French speakers
- Key occupations in healthcare, education, and trades
Notably, Trades category draws have not yet occurred but are likely, as IRCC recently expanded eligible occupations in this area.
2. Draws Aligned with 2026 Targets
A July 2024 memo confirms that most ITAs issued from July 2024 through February 2025 will count toward 2025 PR admissions. To meet a target of 123,320 PRs, draw sizes may increase in the second half of this year.
3. Category Changes in 2025
- New Education category added (e.g., teachers, early childhood educators).
- Transport category removed.
- Changes in all other categories:
- Healthcare: +8 occupations / -6 occupations
- STEM: +6 / -19
- Trades: +19 / -4
- Agriculture: -2 occupations
IRCC is actively fine-tuning its approach to match Canada’s evolving labor market needs.
