The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
Tools
CRS CalculatorExpress Entry Invitations
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Sign In
English中文(简体)中文(香港)中文(台灣)
IRCC Launches First Express Entry Draw of the Year, 471 Candidates Invited
Published Date: January 8, 2025

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

Click here to calculate your CRS score

DateRound TypeInvitations IssuedCRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
December 16Provincial Nominee Program1085727
December 03French language proficiency800466
December 02Provincial Nominee Program676705
November 20Healthcare occupations3000463
November 19Canadian Experience Class400539
November 18Provincial Nominee Program174816
November 15French language proficiency800478
November 13Canadian Experience Class400547
November 12Provincial Nominee Program733812
October 23Trade occupations1,800433
October 22Canadian Experience Class400539
October 21Provincial Nominee Program648791
October 10French language proficiency1,000444
October 09Canadian Experience Class500539
October 07Provincial Nominee Program1,613743
September 19Canadian Experience Class4,000509
September 13French language proficiency1,000446
September 09Provincial Nominee Program911732
August 27Canadian Experience Class3,300507
August 26Provincial Nominee Program1,121694
August 15French language proficiency2,000394
August 14Canadian Experience Class3,200509
August 13Provincial Nominee Program763690
July 31Canadian Experience Class5,000510
July 30Provincial Nominee Program964686
July 18French language proficiency1,800400
July 17Canadian Experience Class6,300515
July 16Provincial Nominee Program1,391670
July 08French proficiency3,200420
July 05Healthcare occupations3,750445
July 04Trade occupations1,800436
July 02Provincial Nominee Program920739
June 19Provincial Nominee Program1,499663
May 31Canadian Experience Class3,000522
May 30Provincial Nominee Program2,985676
April 24French proficiency1,400410
April 23General2,095529
April 11STEM occupations4,500491
April 10General1,280549
March 26French language proficiency1,500388
March 25General1,980524
March 13Transport occupations975430
March 12General2,850525
February 29French language proficiency2,500336
February 28General1,470534
February 16Agriculture and agri-food occupations150437
February 14Healthcare occupations3,500422
February 13General1,490535
February 01French language proficiency7,000365
January 31General730541
January 23General1,040543
January 10General1,510546

Tags
Immigration NewsExpress EntryImmigration Encyclopedia
BannerFREE Personalized Plan
More
加拿大移民部公布2026—2028年移民水平计划问答：重点解析新政策影响与申请人机会
Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 Q&A: Understanding the Impact, Priorities, and Opportunities
On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially released the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, maintaining annual permanent resident targets at 380,000 for the next three years while gradually reducing the number of temporary residents—including international students and foreign workers. The plan aims to balance population growth with Canada’s housing, healthcare, and infrastructure capacity, while increasing the share of economic and francophone immigrants. This Q&A explains the plan’s key points, policy direction, and what it means for prospective applicants.
11/06/2025
加拿大公布2026—2028年移民水平计划：永久居民人数稳定，临时居民规模收紧
Canada Announces 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Permanent Resident Targets Stabilized, Temporary Resident Numbers Tightened
On November 4, 2025, the Government of Canada officially released the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, setting an annual target of 380,000 permanent residents for each of the next three years. The plan aims to maintain steady immigration growth while tightening the inflow of temporary residents—including international students and foreign workers. Announced as part of the 2025 federal budget, the plan marks a policy shift from “expansion” to “stabilization,” emphasizing the balance between immigration growth and the country’s capacity in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
11/05/2025
加拿大更新临时居留申请者体检要求名单，四国新增、六地免除
Canada Updates Immigration Medical Exam Requirements for Temporary Residence Applicants — Four Countries Added, Six Removed
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced an update to the list of countries whose citizens must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) when applying for temporary residence in Canada. Effective November 3, 2025, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Venezuela have been added to the list, while Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, and Taiwan have been removed. Applicants from newly added countries will now need to complete an IME, whereas those from the removed regions will no longer be required to do so. The new rules apply to individuals who have lived in or traveled to these countries for six consecutive months within the year before their intended arrival in Canada.
11/04/2025
曼尼托巴省提名项目邀请29名技术工人，重点关注特殊工作许可持有人
Manitoba PNP issues 29 invitations to skilled workers, focusing on candidates with special work permits
On October 31, 2025, Manitoba issued 29 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under the Skilled Worker Stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw primarily targeted candidates already working in the province on facilitated work permits. Of the total invitations, 19 were issued under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), while the rest were distributed among Francophone, regional, and employer-based recruitment initiatives.
11/03/2025
爱德华王子岛突举行省提名抽选，邀请本地高校国际毕业生
Prince Edward Island Holds Surprise PNP Draw Targeting International Graduates
On October 27, 2025, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) conducted an unannounced draw, issuing 159 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. The selection specifically targeted international graduates from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de l’Île who are currently living and working in the province. The move breaks from PEI’s regular draw schedule, signaling the province’s intention to accelerate its intake of skilled talent with local education and employment experience.
11/01/2025
纽芬兰与拉布拉多省2025年最新移民抽选发出100份邀请
Newfoundland and Labrador issues 100 invitations in latest 2025 draw
On October 22, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador issued a total of 100 invitations through its Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — the lowest number of invitations in a single draw so far this year. Of these, 55 invitations were issued under the NLPNP and 45 under the AIP. The province did not disclose which specific NLPNP streams were included in this round, but as of now, Newfoundland and Labrador has held 12 selection rounds across both programs in 2025.
10/31/2025
加拿大快速通道年度第三大规模抽签发出6,000份邀请，聚焦法语能力候选人
Canada Holds Third-Largest Express Entry Draw of 2025, Issuing 6,000 ITAs to French-Speaking Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the third-largest Express Entry draw of 2025 on October 29, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 416. This result highlights IRCC’s continued commitment to supporting French-speaking communities across Canada through its language-focused immigration policies. So far, French-speaking candidates have received the most invitations this year, underscoring the federal government’s priority on promoting bilingualism and balanced demographic growth.
10/30/2025
加拿大快速通道最新抽签聚焦“加拿大经验类”，1,000名候选人获邀申请永久居民
IRCC Invites 1,000 Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new round of Express Entry invitations on October 28, 2025, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. To be eligible for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 533 and must have created their Express Entry profile before 4:16 a.m. UTC on March 21, 2025. This was the 11th CEC-specific draw of 2025, and the fourth consecutive CEC draw with a consistent invitation size of 1,000 and CRS cut-off around 533–534 points — demonstrating continued stability in this program’s selection trend.
10/29/2025
加拿大移民局再举行省提名类别抽签，302名候选人获邀
IRCC Holds Another Provincial Nominee Program Draw, Inviting 302 Candidates
On October 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw through the Express Entry system, issuing 302 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates. This was the second PNP draw of October and the fifth overall Express Entry draw this month, highlighting the federal government’s continued focus on supporting provincial immigration priorities.
10/28/2025
爱德华王子岛举行2025年第二大规模省提名抽签，重点聚焦优先职业与国际毕业生
Prince Edward Island Holds Second Largest Provincial Nominee Draw of 2025, Focusing on Priority Occupations and International Graduates
On October 17, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted its second-largest immigration draw of the year under the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), issuing 160 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination. The draw primarily targeted skilled workers already employed in the province in priority occupations, as well as international graduates from designated educational institutions. As of October 26, 2025, PEI has issued a total of 1,081 ITAs through its PNP this year.
10/27/2025
More
# Can spouse of international students work in Canada?# How is the CRS Score Calculated?# What is Express Entry?# How to become a licensed immigration consultant in Canada?# Why Need a Professional, Licensed Immigration Consultant for Immigrating to Canada?# How to verify if my immigration consultant is licensed?# Difference between licensed and unlicensed immigration consultants?# Is it mandatory to be licensed to practice immigration consulting in Canada?
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK