The Express Entry system is Canada’s primary method for managing applications for permanent residence under three key economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts rounds of invitations (ITAs) approximately every two weeks, selecting the highest-ranked candidates.
This report provides a detailed analysis of all Express Entry rounds in 2025, including trends in CRS scores, invitation volumes, and the impact of category-based selection draws.
Data Overview
The following table summarizes the 19 Express Entry rounds of invitations from January 7 to June 4, 2025:
| Round # | Date | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 349 | June 4, 2025 | Healthcare and social services (Version 2) | 500 | 504 |
| 348 | June 2, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| 347 | May 13, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| 346 | May 12, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| 345 | May 2, 2025 | Healthcare and social services (Version 2) | 500 | 510 |
| 344 | May 1, 2025 | Education occupations (Version 1) | 1,000 | 479 |
| 343 | April 28, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| 342 | April 14, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| 341 | March 21, 2025 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 7,500 | 379 |
| 340 | March 17, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| 339 | March 6, 2025 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 4,500 | 410 |
| 338 | March 3, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| 337 | February 19, 2025 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 6,500 | 428 |
| 336 | February 17, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| 335 | February 5, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| 334 | February 4, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| 333 | January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| 332 | January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| 331 | January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Total Invitations Issued: 35,217
Detailed Breakdown of 2025 Express Entry Draws
1. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws
PNP draws target candidates with provincial nominations, which add 600 CRS points, leading to high cutoffs.
| Draw # | Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 348 | June 2, 2025 | 277 | 726 |
| 346 | May 12, 2025 | 511 | 706 |
| 343 | April 28, 2025 | 421 | 727 |
| 342 | April 14, 2025 | 825 | 764 |
| 340 | March 17, 2025 | 536 | 736 |
| 338 | March 3, 2025 | 725 | 667 |
| 336 | February 17, 2025 | 646 | 750 |
| 334 | February 4, 2025 | 455 | 802 |
| 331 | January 7, 2025 | 471 | 793 |
Analysis:
- Highest CRS Cutoff: 802 (February 4, 2025)
- Lowest CRS Cutoff: 667 (March 3, 2025)
- Average CRS Cutoff: 740
- Total ITAs Issued: 4,867
Trend: PNP draws remain highly competitive, with CRS requirements fluctuating based on nomination volumes.
Draws by Category Breakdown (Jan–Jun 2025)
| Category | Number of Draws | Total ITAs |
|---|---|---|
| PNP | 9 | ~5,867 |
| CEC | 4 | ~9,350 |
| French-Language | 3 | ~18,500 |
| Healthcare/Social Services | 2 | 1,000 |
| Education Occupations | 1 | 1,000 |
2. Category-Based Selection Draws
IRCC introduced category-based selection in 2023 to target candidates with specific skills.
A. French Proficiency Draws (Version 1)
| Draw # | Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 341 | March 21, 2025 | 7,500 | 379 |
| 339 | March 6, 2025 | 4,500 | 410 |
| 337 | February 19, 2025 | 6,500 | 428 |
Total ITAs: 18,500
CRS Range: 379–428
Insight: French draws had the lowest CRS requirements, encouraging francophone immigration.
B. Healthcare & Social Services (Version 2)
| Draw # | Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 349 | June 4, 2025 | 500 | 504 |
| 345 | May 2, 2025 | 500 | 510 |
Total ITAs: 1,000
CRS Range: 504–510
Insight: Healthcare draws had moderate competition, reflecting Canada’s push to fill labor shortages.
C. Education Occupations (Version 1)
| Draw # | Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 344 | May 1, 2025 | 1,000 | 479 |
Insight: A single large draw with a low CRS (479), indicating strong demand for educators.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draws
CEC draws target candidates with Canadian work experience.
| Draw # | Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 347 | May 13, 2025 | 500 | 547 |
| 335 | February 5, 2025 | 4,000 | 521 |
| 333 | January 23, 2025 | 4,000 | 527 |
| 332 | January 8, 2025 | 1,350 | 542 |
Total ITAs: 9,850
CRS Range: 521–547
Insight: CEC draws had stable CRS scores, with larger draws in early 2025.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Dominance
PNP rounds continue to:
- Make up the bulk of draws (9 out of 19).
- Require the highest CRS scores—several over 750 CRS.
| Highest CRS Cutoff in PNP Draws | 802 (Feb 4) |
| Lowest PNP CRS Cutoff | 667 (Mar 3) |
| Total PNP ITAs Issued (Jan–Jun) | Approx. 5,867 |
This shows the importance of provincial nomination as a pathway for candidates with lower base CRS scores.
Trends & Observations
- Category-Based Draws Dominated ITA Volume
- French draws alone accounted for 18,500 ITAs (47% of total).
- Healthcare and Education combined for 2,000 ITAs (5%).
- PNP Draws Had Highest CRS Requirements
- The 802 cutoff (Feb 4) was the highest of the year.
- PNP candidates require strong profiles due to nomination weight.
- CEC Draws Were Smaller but Consistent
- Early 2025 saw 9,850 ITAs, but later draws were smaller.
- French Draws Had the Lowest CRS Cutoffs
- 379 (March 21) was the year’s lowest cutoff, incentivizing French speakers.
Alignment with Canada’s Immigration Goals
Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new immigrants in 2025 as part of a three-year plan to reach 500,000 by 2026. The 35,217 invitations issued from January to June 2025 represent a significant portion of this target. The focus on category-based rounds, particularly for French language proficiency, aligns with Canada’s goal of increasing francophone immigration to 6% of total immigration outside Quebec by 2023 and beyond. Healthcare and education rounds address labor shortages in critical sectors, supporting economic growth.
The Express Entry system in 2025 demonstrates a strategic approach to immigration, balancing economic needs with demographic goals. The 19 rounds analyzed issued 35,217 invitations, with a clear emphasis on French language proficiency, healthcare, and education. PNP rounds maintain high CRS thresholds, while CEC and category-based rounds offer opportunities for candidates with moderate to low scores. The 2025 Ministerial Instructions amendments refine candidate selection, ensuring flexibility to meet evolving priorities. This data underscores Canada’s commitment to skilled immigration and linguistic diversity.
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