Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has completed its third Express Entry draw of the week, highlighting an active period for Canada’s immigration system. On August 8, 2025, the department issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with strong French-language proficiency.
To be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 5:16 a.m. UTC on July 18, 2025. This draw was part of IRCC’s category-based selection strategy, designed to fill urgent labour gaps and support Canada’s bilingual objectives.
This is the fourth draw in 2025 focusing on French-language proficiency, reflecting a growing emphasis on boosting the number of francophone immigrants, particularly outside Quebec. It also speaks to Canada’s broader goal of promoting linguistic diversity and supporting economic integration through skilled immigration.
The August 8 draw followed two others held on consecutive days: a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on August 7, which issued 1,000 ITAs with a CRS cutoff of 534, and a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on August 6 that invited 225 candidates with a significantly higher cutoff score of 739.
These back-to-back draws underscore the IRCC’s ongoing efforts to meet the annual immigration targets through the Express Entry system, which remains the primary pathway for skilled newcomers. So far in 2025, Canada has issued 53,128 Express Entry invitations—demonstrating a steady pace toward meeting its planned quotas.
A breakdown of 2025’s activity shows that PNP draws have been the most frequent, with 14 rounds, followed by 8 draws for CEC candidates. Category-based draws, especially those targeting French-speaking applicants and professionals in healthcare or education, continue to be key components of the system’s evolving strategy.
Express Entry’s category-based draws were formally introduced in 2023 and have gained momentum in 2025 as Canada adapts its immigration system to better align with economic and demographic needs. These targeted draws enable more streamlined selection aligned with national priorities.
Maple News will continue monitoring Express Entry trends as IRCC rolls out further draws in 2025, offering insights to those looking at Canada as a new home or career destination. With a focus on transparency, fairness, and strategic immigration, Canada’s Express Entry system remains at the forefront of global talent attraction.