As 2025 draws to a close, a review of Canada’s Express Entry invitation rounds provides a clear picture of the types of candidates most likely to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence during the year.
Throughout 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted 58 Express Entry draws across various categories. These draws revealed distinct trends, highlighting which applicant profiles most closely aligned with Canada’s immigration priorities.
Key Trends from Express Entry in 2025
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws were the most frequent, accounting for 24 out of 58 draws. Although these draws occurred frequently, they accounted for a smaller share of total invitations than other categories.
French-language proficiency was associated with notably lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-offs and the issuance of the highest number of ITAs overall. Candidates with strong French skills clearly benefited from these targeted rounds.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws were the second most common. The CRS cut-offs for these draws were moderately high, reflecting the firm overall profiles of successful applicants, particularly in age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
Healthcare and social service occupations were also prioritised, with several occupation-specific draws held throughout the year. These draws typically had lower CRS requirements than many general or CEC-focused rounds.
Representative Candidate Profiles from 2025
Below are four hypothetical examples of Express Entry profiles that would likely have received ITAs for permanent residence in 2025. These examples are based on observed draw trends.
1. Felix — French-Speaking Professional from Cameroon
Felix is a 32-year-old banking professional with a two-year diploma and three years of international work experience. He has strong French language skills and a good command of English. Despite having no Canadian education or work experience, his French proficiency and professional background place him well within the competitive range for French-language draws.
2. Anjana — Data Analyst in Toronto
Anjana completed her bachelor’s degree in Canada and gained more than two years of Canadian work experience in the technology sector. She speaks English at an advanced level but does not speak French. Her Canadian education, work experience, and strong language scores result in a CRS score that exceeds all CEC draw cut-offs observed in 2025, making her a highly competitive candidate.
3. Marie — Social Worker from Brazil
Marie holds a master’s degree and has four years of relevant international experience in social services. Both she and her spouse have strong English language abilities, and her spouse’s advanced education contributes additional CRS points. With social service occupations being specifically targeted, Marie’s profile would be well positioned to receive an ITA even without Canadian work experience.
4. Jack — UX Designer in Alberta
Jack is a 35-year-old UX designer who relocated to Canada with a valid job offer and accumulated one year of Canadian work experience. He secured a provincial nomination, adding 600 additional CRS points to his profile. This significant boost places him well above the cut-off scores for PNP draws, virtually guaranteeing an ITA for permanent residence.
What These Success Stories Show
The Express Entry patterns observed in 2025 demonstrate that there is no single pathway to success. Instead, multiple strengths can improve an applicant’s chances:
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Strong language skills, particularly in French, can lead to success even without Canadian work experience.
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Canadian education and employment history remain highly valuable, especially for Canadian Experience Class candidates.
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Targeted occupations, such as healthcare and social services, often benefit from lower CRS cut-offs.
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Provincial nominations remain among the most powerful pathways, significantly increasing CRS scores and the likelihood of receiving an ITA.
For those planning to enter the Express Entry pool, these trends highlight how leveraging individual strengths—whether language ability, education, work experience, or provincial support—can significantly influence outcomes in future draws.
