Changes to Canada’s Express Entry System: Trends for 2025

In 2024, Canada implemented significant updates to its Express Entry system, reshaping how candidates are assessed and selected for immigration through the country’s largest economic immigration programs. These changes are expected to have a notable impact in 2025.

This article will explore the major trends shaping Express Entry in 2025 and examine their potential effects on candidate selection. Key topics include:

• New selection priorities introduced in 2024 and their influence on eligibility.
• The evolving role of category-based draws targeting specific occupations or attributes.
• Shifts in Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scoring and the weight of new factors.

Stay tuned for a detailed analysis of these trends and insights on how they may impact applicants aiming to secure permanent residence through Express Entry in 2025.

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Increase in Express Entry’s Share of Immigration Targets

In 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system will assume a more prominent role in the country’s immigration strategy, reflecting a significant shift in federal priorities.

Key Changes:

1. Higher Admission Targets for Express Entry: Admissions under the federal economic programs managed through Express Entry are set to increase to 124,590 landings in 2025, up from 110,770 in 2024.
2. Reduced Overall Immigration Levels: Canada’s overall immigration targets for 2025 have been reduced by 20%, allowing the federal government to exert greater control over admissions by prioritizing federal programs like Express Entry over provincial pathways.
3. Increased Share of Federal High-Skilled (FHS) Allocations: In 2024, the FHS category, which includes Express Entry, accounted for 22.8% of planned permanent resident admissions. In 2025, the restructured FHS allocations ("In-Canada Focus" and "Federal Economic Priorities") will comprise 31.5% of total immigration targets.
4. Reduction in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Allocations: Planned admissions under the PNP will decrease significantly from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025, further consolidating Express Entry’s role as the primary pathway for economic immigration.

Implications for Skilled Workers:

With these changes, Express Entry-managed programs will become the primary route for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. As the largest category of immigration, economic programs will increasingly rely on Express Entry to attract and select candidates who meet federal priorities.

Skilled workers aiming to immigrate in 2025 should prepare for a more competitive landscape, with a heightened focus on category-based draws, CRS scores, and occupation-specific invitations under Express Entry.

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Removal of CRS Points for Job Offers

In December 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, announced a key change to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that will take effect in spring 2025: CRS points will no longer be awarded for valid job offers.

Current Policy:

• Candidates in the Express Entry pool currently receive: 50 points for a valid job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 roles. 200 points for a valid job offer in executive or senior management positions (TEER 0).

Upcoming Changes:

• Points Removal: CRS points for valid job offers will no longer be granted.
• Temporary Measure: The change is deemed temporary, but IRCC has not provided an end date.
• Affected Candidates: Only candidates in the Express Entry pool at the time of implementation will be impacted.

Potential Impacts:

• Lower CRS Scores: Many candidates may see a reduction in their overall CRS scores.
• Uncertain CRS Cut-Offs: It remains unclear how this change will influence CRS cut-off scores in draws or the overall outcomes in 2025.

Adapting to the Change:

Candidates who previously relied on job offer points will need to focus on other human capital factors to enhance their scores:

• Language Proficiency: Achieving high scores in English or French language tests (e.g., CLB 9 or higher).
• Work Experience: Adding more skilled work experience, especially Canadian work experience, which is highly valued in CRS scoring.
• Education: Pursuing additional qualifications or ensuring foreign credentials are assessed to maximize CRS points.

This adjustment reflects a broader shift in Express Entry as IRCC continues to refine its focus on long-term human capital and adaptability.

Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus replacing Federal High-Skilled allocations

In previous years, Canada’s annual allocation for immigrants admitted through Express Entry (as detailed in the Immigration Levels Plan) was designated under the FHS allocation.

In 2025, the FHS allocation is being replaced and divided into two new sub-categories under the Immigration Levels Plan: Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus.

The introduction of these sub-categories marks a significant shift in which candidates will be selected for permanent residency:

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Different Emphasis for Category-Based Selections in 2025

In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expected to intensify its focus on category-based Express Entry draws to address Canada’s evolving labor market needs, as outlined under the Federal Economic Priorities allocation in the annual Immigration Levels Plan.

Priority Categories for 2025:

According to the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has highlighted the following priority categories for targeted draws:

1. Healthcare Occupations
2. Trades Occupations
3. French-Language Proficiency

These categories reflect Canada’s focus on addressing critical labor shortages and supporting economic and demographic priorities.

Anticipated Trends:

• Healthcare and Trades Occupations: Although 2024 saw limited draws for healthcare and trades occupations, these sectors are set to receive greater attention in 2025 due to their priority designation. This shift aligns with ongoing labor shortages in critical areas like healthcare, construction, and skilled trades.
• French-Language Proficiency: Consistent draws for French-speaking candidates throughout 2024 will continue into 2025. Canada is committed to increasing francophone immigration outside Quebec, with a target of 8.5% of total new admissions in 2025, rising to 9.5% in 2026.

Full List of Express Entry Priority Categories for 2025:

In addition to the top-priority categories, IRCC will also consider the following:

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations
• Transport Occupations
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations

Strategic Implications for Candidates:

• Category-Based Draws: Candidates with skills, experience, or language abilities in these priority areas are more likely to receive invitations.
• French Proficiency Advantage: French-speaking candidates will continue to benefit from consistent opportunities, regardless of occupation.
• Sector-Specific Opportunities:?To maximize their chances, skilled workers in healthcare, trades, and STEM fields should ensure their profiles align with the requirements of their respective categories.

By refining its focus on category-based selections, IRCC aims to target candidates who can address immediate and long-term labor market needs while supporting Canada’s broader economic and demographic objectives.

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