Top Express Entry Canada Profiles That Got ITAs in 2025
Who Was Successful with Express Entry in 2025? A Look at the Candidate Profiles That Got Invited
As 2025 wraps up, we’re taking a moment to look back at the year’s Express Entry draws to understand the types of candidates who stood out and successfully received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence (PR).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a total of 58 Express Entry draws in 2025, spanning various streams. From those draws, nearly 118,000 ITAs were issued—each one a step closer to making Canada home.
To give you an idea of what made a candidate competitive this year, we’ve put together four fictional—but highly realistic—profiles based on trends we saw throughout the year. These examples showcase how different backgrounds, skills, and strategies can lead to success in the Express Entry system.
Key Highlights
- French-language draws had the lowest CRS cut-offs and issued the most ITAs in 2025.
- CEC draws had high CRS thresholds, but Canadian work experience gave candidates an edge.
- PNP draws occurred most often, though they issued fewer ITAs overall.
- Healthcare and social service professionals saw significantly lower CRS cut-offs.
- Strong language skills and post-secondary education were common success factors.
- Provincial nominations boosted CRS scores by 600 points—often guaranteeing an ITA.
1. Felix from Cameroon — A French-Speaking Banking Professional
Felix Hamadou, a 32-year-old banking professional from Cameroon, didn’t study or work in Canada—but that didn’t stop him from being a strong Express Entry candidate.
He holds a two-year diploma in finance and has three years of foreign work experience. What really gave Felix an edge were his language skills: French at NCLC 9 and English at CLB 7. His CRS score added up to 453.
Because 2025 saw several French-language proficiency draws with CRS cut-offs as low as 379, Felix’s profile would have qualified for at least seven of them. This type of draw was also the most generous, issuing over 48,000 ITAs throughout the year.
Key takeaway: French speakers had a major advantage in 2025. If you speak French, it’s well worth getting your language results assessed formally.
2. Anjana from India — A Skilled Data Analyst with Canadian Experience
Born in Beirut and originally from India, Anjana Patel made her way to Canada at age 20 to study data science. After earning her bachelor’s degree from a Canadian university, she gained over two years of skilled work experience as a data analyst under a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
At 26, with strong English skills (CLB 10) and a Canadian education and work history, Anjana’s CRS came to 549—well above the cut-offs for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws in 2025, which ranged from 515 to 547.
Her combination of Canadian work experience, high language scores, and a Canadian degree made her a prime candidate under the CEC stream.
Tip: If you’re studying in Canada, gaining even one year of skilled work experience afterward can make you eligible under the CEC category.
3. Marie from Brazil — A Social Worker in a Targeted Occupation
Marie Silva, a 28-year-old social service worker from Brazil, had no Canadian work or study experience—but her occupation gave her a strategic advantage.
Marie holds a Master’s degree and has four years of foreign work experience with an NGO. She speaks fluent English (CLB 9) and is married to Gabriel, a PhD holder also fluent in English. Her total CRS score was 472.
In 2025, Canada introduced category-based selection draws for healthcare and social service occupations. These had lower CRS cut-offs, and Marie would have qualified for three of them, significantly increasing her chances of receiving an ITA.
Did you know? If your job falls into one of the in-demand categories—like healthcare or tech—you might be selected even if your CRS score isn’t as high as others.
4. Jack from England — A UX Designer with a Provincial Nomination
Jack Andrews, a 35-year-old UX designer from the UK, took the provincial nomination route. After receiving a Canadian job offer in Alberta, he moved and gained one year of Canadian work experience. He was then nominated through the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
That nomination added 600 points to Jack’s CRS score, bringing his total to 959—more than enough to secure an ITA in any of the PNP-linked Express Entry draws held in 2025.
This example shows how provincial nominations can be a game-changer, especially if your CRS score is on the lower end.
Pro tip: Interested in the PNP path? Try using our Manitoba PNP points calculator to see if you qualify for nomination through Manitoba or other provinces.
Final Thoughts: What We Learned from 2025’s Express Entry Trends
Whether it was through strong French-language skills, Canadian work experience, a targeted occupation, or a provincial nomination—there were many different paths to success in 2025’s Express Entry system.
One thing’s for sure: Tailoring your immigration strategy to match Canada’s current priorities gives you the best shot at receiving an ITA. That might mean improving your language scores, gaining Canadian work experience, or exploring in-demand job categories.
Ready to explore your own path to permanent residence? Use our free tool to check your eligibility for all Express Entry options.
Don’t Miss Out — Take the First Step Today
If you’re serious about immigrating to Canada, now’s the time to get your profile ready. The Express Entry system is constantly evolving, and staying informed could make all the difference.
