Maple News reports a notable surge in Express Entry activity throughout May 2025, following a quiet April. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 2,511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across four separate draws—more than double the ITAs distributed in April. However, despite this increase, May’s total still lags behind the draw volumes observed in the first three months of the year.
May marked the return of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, which had been on pause for three months. The IRCC also introduced two significant category-based selection draws for the first time in 2025: one targeting candidates in education occupations and another focused on those in healthcare and social services. Both reflect Canada’s evolving immigration strategy aimed at addressing labor market needs through targeted invitations.
The first draw in May took place on May 1, issuing 1,000 ITAs to candidates in education-related professions with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 479. The following day, May 2, another 500 ITAs were granted to healthcare and social services professionals, though competition was tougher with a CRS cut-off of 510.
On May 12, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw extended 511 invitations to candidates with nominations from Canadian provinces, requiring a significantly higher cut-off of 706 CRS points. Just a day later, May 13 saw the reintroduction of Canadian Experience Class draws, issuing 500 ITAs to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 547.
These developments underscore the IRCC’s continued use of category-based draws to fine-tune talent selection and support critical sectors. The wide range in CRS cut-off scores reflects the varying competitiveness across different immigration streams and underscores the impact of provincial nominations when it comes to boosting a candidate’s score.
As Canada continues to adapt its immigration policy to focus on demographic growth and economic needs, Express Entry remains a key tool in attracting skilled talent globally. Candidates seeking to improve their chances in the pool can benefit from a strong language score, Canadian work experience, or a provincial nomination.
Maple News will continue to monitor monthly trends in Express Entry and the evolving strategies of category-based draws to keep applicants and stakeholders informed.