Canada Express Entry 2025: PNP and CRS Score Updates
2025 Express Entry Year in Review: Key Changes, Draw Patterns & What It Means for Immigration to Canada
- Over 113,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across 58 draws in 2025—up significantly from 2024
- Category-based draws dominated the year, especially for French-speaking candidates and healthcare professionals
- CRS cut-off scores were higher for most programs, but lower for targeted categories like French
- Major policy changes included removal of CRS points for job offers and mandatory upfront medical exams
- New pathways were introduced, including a dedicated category for physicians with Canadian experience
- Express Entry selection strategies now place heavier emphasis on in-Canada experience
Canada’s Express Entry system saw some pretty big changes in 2025, and if you’ve been following your immigration options, you probably noticed the shift. From revamped selection categories to the removal of points for arranged employment, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) took a bold new direction with its flagship immigration system.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the major Express Entry developments of 2025, break down the draw data, and explain what it all means for your chances of getting permanent residence (PR) in Canada. So grab a coffee, and let’s dive in!
Express Entry in Numbers: Draw Types & ITAs Issued in 2025
In 2025, IRCC issued a total of 113,998 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)—a notable jump from the 98,803 issued the previous year. These ITAs were spread across 58 draws, with over half (59%) coming from category-based selections.
The rest were divided between the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws—further reflecting Canada’s focus on retaining talent already in the country. In fact, French-language draws, CEC rounds, and PNP nominations were the backbone of Express Entry in 2025.
Top Categories by ITAs Issued
| Category | # of Draws | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 9 | 48,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 15 | 35,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 7 | 14,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 24 | 10,898 |
| Education | 2 | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1 | 1,250 |
French-language draws, though only 16% of all rounds, accounted for the largest share of ITAs. This clearly supports the government’s ongoing efforts to boost Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
STEM and agri-food professionals were notably left out of category-based draws this year. Their only realistic pathway was through the CEC or PNP—especially if they held a provincial nomination. If you’re looking to boost your chances via the PNP, check out our Manitoba PNP calculator to see how you score.
Monthly ITA Issuances: Peaks and Valleys
ITA volumes were relatively modest for the first half of the year, but IRCC ramped things up significantly from September to December. December alone saw a record 19,522 invitations—17% of the year’s total.
| Month | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| January | 5,821 |
| February | 11,601 |
| March | 13,261 |
| April | 1,246 |
| May | 2,511 |
| June | 7,405 |
| July | 7,558 |
| August | 6,417 |
| September | 10,018 |
| October | 15,647 |
| November | 12,991 |
| December | 19,522 |
CRS Score Trends: What You Needed to Get Invited
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores varied quite a bit depending on the type of draw. While category-based rounds offered lower cut-offs—especially French draws—CEC and PNP draws remained on the higher side.
| Category | CRS Cut-off Range |
|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 379–481 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 515–547 |
| Healthcare and social services | 462–510 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 699–855 |
| Education | 462–479 |
| Trade | 505 |
Interestingly, French draws had the lowest cut-offs, often under 400, due to both high ITA volume and a smaller eligible pool. Meanwhile, CEC scores stayed remarkably steady—hovering around 533–534 for multiple draws in a row from August to November.
Major Changes to Express Entry in 2025
1. More PR Admissions Targeted at In-Canada Candidates
Under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Express Entry PR targets rose to 124,680 admissions. The bulk of these—nearly 83,000—were earmarked for those already in Canada, mostly through CEC and Express Entry-aligned PNPs.
This shift confirms that Canada is increasingly interested in retaining international students, workers, and temporary residents who already call the country home.
2. Category Overhaul: New and Removed Occupations
February 27 brought a big shakeup to category-based selection. The Transportation category was removed, a brand-new Education category was introduced, and other categories were refreshed with updated occupational lists.
| Category | Occupations Added | Occupations Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8 | 6 |
| STEM | 6 | 19 |
| Trades | 19 | 4 |
| Agriculture and Agri-food | 0 | 2 |
Healthcare was expanded to include more social service roles—fitting given the aging population and staffing shortages in those areas.
3. New Immigration Measures for Physicians
On December 8, IRCC unveiled a new category for physicians with Canadian work experience. Starting in 2026, doctors with at least one year of work experience in Canada (in a single occupation) will be eligible through this stream.
Additional supports for internationally trained doctors include:
- 5,000 PR spots reserved for provincial nominations (above regular allocations)
- Accelerated 14-day work permit processing for nominated physicians
4. Removal of CRS Points for Arranged Employment
In March 2025, IRCC eliminated the 50 or 200 CRS points candidates used to receive for valid job offers. This change applied immediately to all profiles in the Express Entry pool—except those who had already received an ITA or submitted a PR application.
While initially described as a temporary
