On February 17, the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Department (IRCC) issued 646 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system, primarily targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This draw required candidates to have at least a 750 CRS score and to have created their Express Entry profile before 5:41 PM GMT on July 23, 2024.This was the third draw of February 2025, following two previous draws: the PNP draw on February 4 (inviting 455 candidates) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on February 5, which issued 4,000 invitations. Since the beginning of the year, IRCC’s draws have focused on PNP and CEC candidates, with the scale of CEC draws returning to the typical level seen in 2024.

It is important to note that IRCC did not implement category-based draws for French speakers, healthcare professionals, or skilled workers in this round, despite these groups being prioritized under the Express Entry system in 2025. IRCC still plans to allocate 41,700 permanent resident spots to these groups in the 2025-2027 immigration plan.

Additionally, IRCC emphasized that despite some candidates having lower CRS scores, entering the Express Entry pool is still worthwhile. As long as candidates meet the eligibility criteria, they have the chance to receive future invitations once they are in the pool. This is because CRS scores may fluctuate over time, and candidates with lower scores may have higher chances of receiving invitations in the future. Moreover, entering the pool early allows candidates to bypass the “tie-breaking rule,” increasing their chances of receiving an invitation.

Candidates can also improve their CRS scores in the pool by enhancing their language skills, gaining eligible work experience, or obtaining higher education. They can also apply for multiple immigration programs during this period, including the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Regional Pilot Programs, which increases their chances of obtaining immigration status through both pathways.

2025 Express Entry Invitation Summary