Maple News reports that 2025 was a pivotal year for Canada’s Express Entry system, with sweeping policy changes and a notable increase in the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to immigration candidates. As Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) adapts its strategy to align with national economic priorities, key modifications to Express Entry have reshaped the immigration landscape.
In 2025, IRCC issued 113,998 ITAs across 58 Express Entry draws—a significant uptick from the 98,803 invitations distributed in 2024. This 15% increase reflects Canada’s growing demand for skilled newcomers and its targeted efforts to fill labour shortages. More than half (59%) of the ITAs distributed in 2025 were through category-based draws, rather than traditional Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class programs.
One of the most consequential changes in 2025 was the removal of points for arranged employment under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), shifting focus to broader, long-term priorities. Additionally, IRCC further developed its category-based selection system to better respond to labour market needs, with a heavy emphasis on French-language proficiency, healthcare, and social services.
French-speaking candidates saw a substantial advantage this year. Although only nine category-based draws prioritized French-language applicants, these draws issued a total of 48,000 ITAs—about 42% of all invitations. This aligns with the federal government’s ongoing initiative to boost Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) remained a cornerstone of the Express Entry system, represented in 15 draws and generating 35,850 ITAs. Meanwhile, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) demonstrated its continued importance in regional immigration strategies, with 24 draws accounting for nearly 11,000 invitations.
Healthcare and social services were also high-priority sectors. Seven category-based draws dedicated to this segment resulted in 14,500 ITAs. These roles remain critical as Canada addresses ongoing gaps in its public health and social work labour markets.
While other categories like Education and Skilled Trades were less frequently targeted—accounting for 3,500 and 1,250 ITAs respectively—the inclusion of these draws indicates IRCC’s intent to diversify and experiment with new targeted streams. These sectors may gain more attention if national demand increases.
From January through April 2025, IRCC primarily ran draws for CEC, PNP, and French-speakers. In the second half of the year, there was a clear pivot toward a wider range of category-based draws. This generated a broader distribution of immigrants aligned with Canada’s demographic and workforce development goals.
As Express Entry continues to evolve, 2025 stands out as a transformative year. The outcome reflects Canada’s dynamic approach to immigration—prioritizing language skills, professional sectors under pressure, and regional nominations to ensure newcomers succeed and contribute to the nation’s prosperity.