These are the changes coming to Express Entry in 2025
In 2024, we saw sweeping changes to Canada’s Express Entry changes 2025 system, many of which will affect Canada’s most significant economic immigration programs in 2025.
This article will break down the major trends affecting Canada’s Express Entry system in 2025 and their possible effects on candidate selection this year. The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Canada’s Express Entry system. Following significant shifts in 2024, the government has introduced new allocations, removed key Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, and refined category-based selection processes. These developments aim to better align immigration policies with Canada’s labor market demands and demographic goals.
In 2025, Express Entry will see a relative increase in its share of the overall immigration targets. The federal government has increased the target number of admissions under the Federal economic programs to 124,590 landings, up from 110,770 in 2024.
Furthermore, this increase is accompanied by a 20% reduction in overall immigration levels compared to the 2024 targets. This shift allows the federal government more control over immigration, with fewer admissions processed through provincial and regional immigration pathways.
Express Entry will, therefore, play a more prominent role in Canada’s immigration system in 2025, as the Federal High-Skilled (FHS) allocation—under which Express Entry falls—makes up a significant portion of the immigration targets. In 2024, the FHS made up 22.8% of overall planned permanent resident admissions. In 2025, the FHS (now split up into the “In-Canada Focus” and “Federal Economic Priorities” allocations) is intended to make up 31.5% of overall admissions.
Coupled with the scaling back of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations (from 110,00 planned admissions in 2024 to just 55,000 admissions in 2025), this means that a higher proportion of economic immigrant admissions—the largest category of immigration to Canada—will occur through Express Entry. Thus, the Express Entry-managed programs will likely be crucial pathways for skilled workers seeking to immigrate to Canada in 2025.
Removal of CRS points for Job Offers
In December 2024, Minister of Immigration Marc Miller announced a significant change that will take effect in the spring of 2025: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points will no longer be awarded for valid job offers.
Currently, candidates in the Express Entry system can receive either 50 or 200 additional points if they have a valid job offer (based on the level of said job offer). This removal of points is considered a “temporary measure,” but IRCC has not yet specified when it will conclude.
This change will only impact candidates in the Express Entry pool at the time that it is instituted.
Removing points for a job offer may lead to a drop in the CRS scores of many candidates within the Express Entry pool. However, the impact on CRS cut-off scores and the overall results of 2025 remain challenging to predict.
Candidates currently receiving points for a valid job offer may need to boost their scores by relying on other human capital factors scored by the CRS, such as language proficiency or work experience.
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 In previous years, Canada’s annual allocation for immigrants admitted through Express Entry, as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, was categorized under the Family and Humanitarian Stream (FHS) allocation.
Starting in 2025, the FHS allocation will be replaced and divided into two new sub-categories under the Immigration Levels Plan: Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus. This introduction of new sub-categories represents a significant change in the selection process for candidates seeking permanent residency:
**Category Name | Landings Allocations under Express Entry | Candidates Considered under this Category**
**In-Canada Focus** | 82,890 | Candidates already in Canada, including those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
**Federal Economic Priorities** | 41,700 | Candidates selected through category-based selections who meet Canada’s labour market needs and demographic goals. In 2025, priority sectors will include healthcare, trade, and candidates with proficiency in French.be selected for permanent residency:
Category nameLandings allocations under Express EntryCandidates considered under this category
In-Canada Focus 82,890 Candidates already in Canada, including those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Federal Economic Priorities 41,700 Candidates selected under category-based selections who meet Canada’s labour market needs and demographic goals. Priority sectors in 2025 will include healthcare, trade, and candidates with French language proficiency.
| Category | Allocations | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| In-Canada Focus | 82,890 | Candidates already in Canada, including Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and aligned PNPs. |
| Federal Economic Priorities | 41,700 | Candidates with skills that meet Canada’s labor market and demographic needs. |
Different emphasis for category-based selections
In 2025, IRCC is expected to focus more on Express Entry, which draws on category-based selections that align with Canada’s labour market priorities (through the “Federal Economic Priorities” allocation in the annual Immigration Levels Plan).
Starting in 2023, IRCC began holding category-based draws to invite specific classes of candidates based on their skills, training, and language abilities.
According to the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, 2025 IRCC has designated the following as priority categories to be targeted through the Express Entry system:
- Healthcare occupations;
- Trades occupations; and
- French-language proficiency.
While 2024 has not seen many draws for healthcare and trades occupations through the Express Entry system, IRCC may conduct more in 2025 due to their designation as priority sectors under the Federal Economic Priorities allocation.
In contrast, the French proficiency category has already seen consistent draws throughout 2024, and it will continue to be a key focus for Express Entry in 2025, especially given Canada’s commitment to increasing the number of francophone immigrants outside Quebec.
Canada has set a target of 8.5% of total new immigrant admissions to the French proficiency category for 2025, which will rise to 9.5% of admissions for 2026.
The above is not an exhaustive list of categories IRCC can choose from —only those the department stated it would prioritize in 2025. The complete list of priority categories includes
- Healthcare occupations;
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations;
- Trades occupations;
- Transport occupations;
- Agriculture and Agri-food occupations; and
- French language proficiency.
How to Prepare for Express Entry in 2025
To succeed under the updated Express Entry framework, candidates should focus on the following strategies:
- Enhance Language Skills: Achieving higher scores in IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF is now more vital than ever.
- Boost Educational Credentials: Consider obtaining Canadian equivalency for foreign degrees or additional certifications.
- Target Priority Categories: Align your skills and experience with the priority categories to increase your chances.
- Stay Updated on CRS Trends: Regularly monitor CRS cut-off scores and adjust your strategy accordingly.
The Future of Express Entry
Sustainability and Growth
Canada’s commitment to skilled immigration remains robust, with innovations in Express Entry ensuring the system adapts to changing needs. The inclusion of eco-friendly policies and streamlined processes is likely on the horizon.
Evolving Trends
With continued focus on specific labor market needs, candidates can expect:
- More transparent category-based draws.
- Greater emphasis on in-demand skills.
- A rising share of francophone admissions outside Quebec.
FAQs
What are the key changes to Express Entry in 2025?
The removal of CRS points for job offers and the introduction of new categories like Federal Economic Priorities.How do the new allocations affect candidates?
Candidates already in Canada or priority sectors will have a higher chance of selection.Will CRS cut-off scores change?
Yes, the removal of job offer points is likely to lower CRS cut-offs.What sectors are prioritized in 2025?
Healthcare, trades, and French-speaking applicants are top priorities.Can I still apply under the Provincial Nominee Program?
Yes, but PNP allocations have been significantly reduced in 2025.How can I improve my chances in Express Entry?
Focus on language proficiency, work experience, and aligning your skills with priority categories.