Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first education-targeted Express Entry draw since May 2025, signaling renewed attention to category-based immigration selection. On September 17, IRCC issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) specifically to candidates with backgrounds in education-related occupations.
To qualify for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 462 and must have created their Express Entry profile prior to 4:24 a.m. UTC on July 9, 2025. This CRS score marks a noticeable drop from the previous education-category cutoff of 479 in May, potentially opening doors for a broader range of applicants with academic expertise.
This draw is part of IRCC’s strategy to better match immigration with Canada’s labor market needs by targeting high-demand sectors such as education, healthcare, and French-language proficiency. Though education-focused draws have been relatively rare in 2025—this being only the second of the year—they are seen as crucial in addressing Canada’s growing need for educators and education administrators.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued nearly 60,000 ITAs across all Express Entry categories. A breakdown of draws shows a majority emphasis on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, followed by Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants, French speakers, and healthcare professionals. In contrast, education professionals have only been featured in two draws, totaling 3,500 invitations.
In just the first 17 days of September alone, IRCC has conducted five Express Entry draws—including for French-language speakers, CEC applicants, and PNP candidates—underscoring an aggressive pace in inviting skilled immigrants this month.
This draw comes amidst a larger trend in 2025 where category-based selections are shaping immigration pathways more than ever. These targeted draws align with Canada’s long-term immigration goals, aiming to fill critical workforce shortages while encouraging diversity within the skilled worker stream.
For education professionals aspiring to settle in Canada, the lower CRS cutoff could be a golden opportunity to secure permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry system.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on Express Entry developments as IRCC adjusts its immigration strategies based on economic demand and policy changes.