Canada's immigration system has reached an important milestone. This Wednesday (May 1, 2025), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented the first-ever Express Entry draw specifically targeting education professionals. In this round, 1,000 eligible candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence.
According to information released by IRCC, candidates invited in this round not only needed to achieve a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 479 but also must have successfully created and submitted their Express Entry profile before the specific cut-off time: August 10, 2024, at 10:35 AM UTC.
This draw represents the first practical application since IRCC announced the addition of the "Education" category as one of its economic immigration priority programs in February this year. The establishment of this new category aims to more effectively attract and retain talent capable of supporting the development of Canada's education system. Applicants can consult relevant information officially released by IRCC for the specific list of occupations included in this category.
Notably, this May 1st draw is also the first Express Entry invitation event after the conclusion of the recent Canadian federal election. The immigration policy direction of the new Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Carney, has been a focal point of attention in recent weeks. This targeted invitation for education professionals could be seen as an initial signal of the new government's policy implementation in the immigration sphere.
Occupations Eligible for the Education Category
The education category includes the following five occupations:
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100, TEER 3)
- Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203, TEER 2)
- Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202, TEER 2)
- Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221, TEER 1)
- Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220, TEER 1)
Express Entry Draw Summary - 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Education Category | 1000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Reviewing the Express Entry invitations so far in 2025, IRCC has issued a cumulative total of 32,929 ITAs. Data shows that Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates have been the main target of invitations this year, with 7 draws specifically for PNP. Additionally, invitations for candidates with strong French language proficiency and those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were equally represented, with 3 draws each. This first draw for the Education category adds a new dimension to this year's invitation landscape, with the distribution as follows:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 7 times
- French language proficiency: 3 times
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 3 times
- Education Category: 1 time
Regarding the Role of Licensed Immigration Consultants in Express Entry Applications
Many potential applicants wonder if they must hire a licensed immigration consultant after receiving an Express Entry invitation. According to professional advice, while hiring a consultant is not mandatory—meaning the success rate is theoretically the same whether an applicant submits the application themselves or through a consultant—a professional licensed immigration consultant can indeed offer significant advantages.
An experienced and reputable licensed Canadian immigration consultant can help applicants build an optimized candidate profile and prepare a high-quality permanent residence (PR) application. They are familiar with the scoring system and can assist applicants in maximizing their CRS score.
Furthermore, a qualified licensed consultant can provide the following key support:
- Accurately advise on the most suitable program to apply for through the Express Entry system based on the applicant's situation.
- Assist in planning and organizing all necessary documents and information, ensuring the application is complete and persuasive.
- Carefully review the application content to avoid adverse consequences due to errors or misrepresentation.
- Provide guidance throughout the application process and help navigate any potential issues that may arise.
In summary, the core value of hiring a licensed immigration consultant lies not simply in filling out forms or submitting documents, but in the personalized professional advice, in-depth understanding of immigration laws and policies, and comprehensive guidance and support they provide.
