Express Entry in 2025: Trends, Shifts, and What It Means for Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan

As Canada moves into the final quarter of 2025, the Express Entry system is undergoing one of its most significant evolutions since its inception. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has adjusted both draw strategies and program targets in response to the federal government’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, tabled last year.

The data from this year’s draws depicts the direction of IRCC’s priorities: more targeted draws, a stronger emphasis on applicants already in Canada, and a long-term recalibration of immigration volumes to balance labour market needs with housing, integration, and economic sustainability.

Canada Express Entry in 2025: By the Numbers

As of October 2, 2025, Canada has issued 71,338 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across 41 rounds of invitations. The following breakdown is compiled from IRCC’s publicly available ministerial instructions table:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 21,850 ITAs (9 draws)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 7,238 ITAs (17 draws)
• French Language Proficiency (Category-based): 30,000 ITAs (6 draws)
• Healthcare & Social Services Occupations: 7,500 ITAs (4 draws)
• Education Occupations: 3,500 ITAs (2 draws)
• Trade Occupations: 1,250 ITAs (1 draw)

A few key themes emerge:

1. CEC-Focused Pathways – With nine rounds and consistently high cut-off scores (in the 518–547 CRS range), IRCC is clearly prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience. This aligns with the plan’s focus on transitioning temporary residents already in the country to permanent status.
2. Francophone Immigration Surge – 30,000 ITAs have been issued through the French-language stream alone, which has already surpassed targets for 2025, thus reflecting Canada’s goal of raising Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
3. Occupation-Based Targeting – Healthcare, education, and trades have each received dedicated rounds, consistent with labour market shortages in these critical areas. Over 7,500 ITAs were issued to healthcare and social services professionals in 2025 alone.
4. Sustained PNP Activity – With 17 separate PNP rounds, provinces remain key drivers in distributing immigration benefits regionally, even though total ITAs under PNP remain relatively modest compared to other streams.

CEC Draws in 2025: An Overview

As of October 2, 2025, the Canadian Experience Class has seen nine draws, issuing a total of 21,850 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), per IRCC’s published round data. CRS cut-offs have generally remained high, ranging between the low 520s and mid-540s earlier in the year, before stabilizing around 534 in the most recent draws in August, September, and October.

The draw history shows some important trends:

1. Early 2025 saw larger CEC rounds. The largest draw took place in February and January, each issuing 4,000 ITAs, with CRS cut-offs at 521–542. This reflected a push to prioritize in-Canada applicants early in the year.
2. Summer 2025 brought consistency. In June and July, CEC draws hovered at 3,000 ITAs, again with CRS scores above 520.
3. Late 2025 shows smaller, targeted draws. Since August, the CEC has had repeated draws of 1,000 ITAs at CRS 534, suggesting that IRCC is controlling intake more carefully in the final quarter of the year.

How This Connects to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan

The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, released in late 2024, signaled a pause in the upward trajectory of immigration admissions. By reducing targets by approximately 105,000 in 2025 compared to earlier projections, Canada aimed to relieve housing and infrastructure pressures while still meeting labour market needs.

Key elements of the plan stand out, all of which are visible in 2025’s Express Entry results:

1. Prioritizing in-Canada applicants. The CEC, by definition, targets those already living and working in Canada. With more than 21,000 ITAs so far, this program has helped IRCC fulfill its goal of transitioning temporary residents into permanent status.
2. Targeted draws for key sectors. Healthcare, education, and trades-focused rounds show how the system is being used to respond directly to labour shortages, ensuring immigration is aligned with economic priorities.
3. Strengthening Francophone immigration. French-language draws issuing 30,000 ITAs emphasize IRCC’s push to increase Francophone admissions outside Quebec, in line with rising targets set for 2025–2027.
4. PNP consistency. Consistent PNP draws throughout the year ensures that immigration continues to support regional economic growth, another goal explicitly outlined in the Plan.

In other words, the distribution of invitations in 2025 the commitments made in the Levels Plan: slowing overall intake, but keeping pathways strong for those who are already integrated into Canadian society and the workforce.

Last year’s Immigration Levels Plan (2025–2027) marked a shift in direction for Canada. Unlike prior years, where the targets consistently increased, the government announced:

• Reduced overall PR admissions in 2025 (a decrease of around 105,000 compared to projections).
• A pause in population growth in 2025 and 2026, before resuming modest growth in 2027.
• Prioritization of in-Canada applicants, particularly those with Canadian work or study experience.
• Temporary resident reduction targets, aiming to bring the share of temporary residents to 5% of the total population by the end of 2026.

The Express Entry trends we’re seeing directly reflect these commitments:

• CEC dominance shows IRCC’s preference for applicants who already live and work in Canada, reducing reliance on out-of-country applicants.
• French draws align with the strengthened Francophone immigration targets, a central plank of the Levels Plan.
• Healthcare, trades, and education draws demonstrate responsiveness to sector-specific shortages highlighted in labour market consultations.
• PNP consistency ensures that immigration continues to support regional economic growth, another goal explicitly outlined in the Plan.

In March 2025, IRCC also removed job-offer points from the CRS, a change that has influenced competitiveness in general draws.

The Broader Impact: What Applicants Should Know

For prospective immigrants and their families, 2025 Express Entry trends mean several things:

• CRS Cut-Offs Are Staying High for General Streams – With reduced overall PR admissions and a focus on targeted draws, cut-offs for CEC remain above 518, while PNP rounds continue to produce very high CRS cut-offs, typically in the 700+ range due to the 600-point boost from provincial nominations. See IRCC’s round notices for current thresholds
• French Skills Are More Valuable Than Ever – The dramatic surge in Francophone invitations signals that French-speaking candidates have a distinct advantage across categories.
• Occupation-Specific Pathways Are Expanding – Healthcare, trades, and education professionals are seeing dedicated opportunities, often with lower CRS cut-offs than general draws.
• Temporary Residents Should Strategize Early – Since Canada is reducing temporary resident volumes, those on study or work permits should consider transitioning to PR sooner rather than later, especially as reforms tighten pathways like the PGWP.

Looking Ahead

Canada’s Express Entry system in 2025 reflects a deliberate balancing act. By reducing total immigration levels while targeting specific in-demand sectors and Francophone communities, IRCC is attempting to manage economic growth, housing pressures, and integration capacity.

The message is clear: Express Entry is no longer a one-size-fits-all pathway. Instead, it is a tool that the government is wielding strategically to meet sectoral and demographic goals under the Immigration Levels Plan.

For applicants, the importance of tailoring profiles to align with these priorities—whether through Canadian work experience, French proficiency, or occupational demand—has never been greater.

How Nihang Law Can Support You

Canada’s 2025 Express Entry system is more competitive, more targeted, and more aligned with long-term sustainability goals than ever before. Those planning to immigrate must pay close attention to policy shifts, sectoral priorities, and language targets in order to maximize their chances of selection.

At Nihang Law Professional Corporation, we recognize that navigating Canada’s immigration system in 2025 requires careful strategy and up-to-date knowledge. With higher CRS thresholds, an emphasis on Canadian work experience, and new priorities in health care, trades, education, and Francophone immigration, many applicants are uncertain about their best path forward.

Our team provides clear and practical guidance to help you position yourself for success, whether that means strengthening your Express Entry profile, exploring provincial nomination opportunities, or transitioning from temporary status to permanent residency. We work closely with clients to ensure applications are complete, persuasive, and aligned with the latest immigration priorities set out in Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

Contact Nihang Law Today

If you are considering your next steps toward permanent residency, we encourage you to reach out to our office. A consultation with our immigration lawyers can give you the clarity and confidence to move forward with a plan that fits your circumstances and maximizes your chances of getting a draw.

Contact Nihang Law today to begin your immigration journey with trusted guidance.