IRCC's Ambitious 2025 Immigration Plan: Are You Ready to Apply?

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Express Entry draw on November 18, 2024, issuing 174 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates. To qualify, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 816.

This draw marks the second consecutive week of Express Entry invitations. In the prior week, a total of 1,933 ITAs were issued to candidates across the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), PNP, and French-language proficiency categories.

IRCC's latest Immigration Levels Plan outlines ambitious targets for the coming year:

• 124,680 Express Entry admissions are planned for 2025.

• Over 82,000 admissions will be allocated to a newly introduced "In-Canada Focus" category. This category primarily includes CEC candidates but may also incorporate Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and PNP-aligned streams.

• The remaining 41,700 admissions are earmarked for the "Federal Economic Priorities" category, targeting candidates with expertise in high-demand occupations within the Canadian labor market.

  
  

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is Canada’s online system for managing applications under three major economic immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Candidates are evaluated through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on key factors such as:

• Age

• Education

• Language proficiency

• Work experience

Additional points are awarded for factors such as:

• Having a sibling in Canada

• Applying with a spouse or partner

• Combining education and work experience from Canada and abroad

• Securing a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, significantly increasing the chance of receiving an ITA.

How Invitations are Issued

Candidates with the highest CRS scores are prioritized for ITAs in Express Entry draws. Each draw may target specific categories, such as PNP nominees or candidates in particular occupations, ensuring Canada’s immigration goals align with economic and labor market needs.