First Express Entry Draw of the Year Launched

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently completed the first Express Entry draw of 2025. A total of 471 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, with the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score set at 793. All candidates invited in this draw were from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), highlighting IRCC’s continued focus on PNP applicants.

This draw follows two PNP-specific rounds and one French-language proficiency round held in December 2024. According to IRCC data, 2,561 ITAs were issued in December 2024 alone, a trend expected to continue throughout 2025.

Two Core Categories of Express Entry

According to the latest “2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan”, Express Entry candidates are mainly divided into two core categories: the “Federal Economic Priorities” category and the “In-Canada Focus” category. The “Federal Economic Priorities” category includes French-speaking candidates and healthcare and trades professionals, while the “In-Canada Focus” category covers applicants from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These two categories are expected to account for the majority of Express Entry allocations in 2025, with a target admission goal of 124,680 for the year.

The prioritization of French-speaking candidates and skilled professionals in specific occupations reflects the Canadian government’s commitment to fostering economic diversity and addressing labor shortages. Meanwhile, the emphasis on CEC and PNP applicants underscores IRCC’s support for local experience and provincial economic development strategies.

How Express Entry Works

Express Entry is Canada’s primary management system for economic immigration and includes the following three federal programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Candidates must submit their profiles to the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). CRS scores are calculated based on several human capital factors, including education, age, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through ITAs. Once an ITA is issued, applicants have 60 days to submit their complete applications. IRCC aims to process these applications within six months.

Successful applicants will gain Canadian permanent residency, allowing them to live, work, and settle in Canada permanently, with the opportunity to eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

Outlook and Conclusion

Over the past year, IRCC has shown a significant focus on CEC, PNP, and French-speaking applicants, and this emphasis is expected to continue in 2025. As a flexible and efficient system, Express Entry remains central to Canada’s efforts to attract global talent in high-demand fields.

In the coming year, IRCC will continue to align its immigration policies with labor market needs while leveraging the prioritization of French-speaking candidates and skilled professionals to promote sustainable economic development in Canada.

For those aspiring to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, staying informed about policy changes and improving individual competitiveness—such as enhancing language proficiency or gaining Canadian work experience—are key to receiving an ITA. The first Express Entry draw of 2025 has set the tone for immigration policies this year, and candidates are encouraged to closely follow future trends to seize their opportunities.

Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2024

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