Canada's latest Immigration Levels Plan introduces key changes that will affect foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
The Plan allocates a greater number of permanent residency spots for Express Entry candidates in 2025, creating new opportunities for some applicants.
Two groups of candidates are set to benefit most from these adjustments:
1. Candidates already in Canada; and
2. Candidates eligible for category-based draws.
However, candidates who do not fall into these focused categories may face increased difficulty in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry in 2025.
Increase in Express Entry Allocation
Despite a 20% overall reduction in the federal government's target for permanent resident admissions in 2025, the allocation for Express Entry has actually been increased:
Target Year | 2025 Target – Current Plan | 2025 Target – Previous Plan | 2024 Target – Previous Plan |
Total | 124,680 | 117,500 | 110,770 |
The 2025 target of 124,680 for the combined categories of In-Canada Focus and Economic Priorities reflects an increase from both the 2024 target and last year’s 2025 target.
In the 2024 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC set a target of 110,770 for the Federal High Skilled (FHS) category, which includes the three Express Entry-managed federal programs:
the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Last year's plan set a 2025 target for FHS of 117,500.
With the increased 2025 target of 124,680, candidates applying through Express Entry-managed programs can expect a higher number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) compared to 2024.
Prioritization of Candidates in Canada
This year’s Immigration Levels Plan introduces a new In-Canada Focus category for economic immigration within Express Entry-managed programs.
As a result, candidates currently residing in Canada can expect a boost in their chances of receiving an ITA in 2025. For this category, IRCC has set a target of 82,980, which accounts for about 42% of the federal economic immigration target of 197,650 (this total excludes Quebec’s targets, which are separately managed).
In contrast, candidates applying from overseas through the FSWP or FSTP may face more difficulty in receiving ITAs, given the increased prioritization of in-Canada candidates.
Prioritization of Category-Based Draws
In this year’s Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has set a target of 41,700 permanent residence admissions under a category called Federal Economic Priorities, which is part of the Express Entry-managed programs.
CIC News anticipates that IRCC will use the existing system of category-based draws, first introduced in May 2023, to implement the Economic Priorities category.
Category-based draws allow IRCC to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Express Entry candidates who hold occupations that align with Canada’s labour market needs.
Current categories include:
French-language proficiency
Healthcare occupations
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations
Trade occupations
Transport occupations
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
For 2025, the federal government has specifically highlighted the following as priority categories:
Healthcare occupations
Trade occupations
French-language proficiency
Candidates who qualify for these category-based draws may have a higher chance of receiving an ITA in 2025.
To be eligible for a category-based draw, candidates typically need to have at least six months of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work) in an eligible occupation over the past three years.
History of In-Canada Focus
On March 21, 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced IRCC's intention to prioritize domestic draws, aimed at helping temporary residents in Canada transition to permanent residency.
From May to October 2024, IRCC held eight Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, issuing 25,700 ITAs. Since April 23, 2024, there has been no general draw.
Additionally, IRCC aims to reduce the percentage of temporary residents in Canada from its current level of approximately 7% of the population to 5% by 2026.
History of Category-Based Draws
In 2024, IRCC conducted numerous category-based draws, as follows:
Category | Number of Draws | Number of ITAs |
Agriculture and agri-food | 1 | 150 |
French-language proficiency | 9 | 21,400 |
Healthcare | 2 | 7,250 |
STEM | 1 | 4,500 |
Trade | 2 | 3,600 |
Transport | 1 | 975 |
This year’s Immigration Levels Plan reaffirms IRCC’s commitment to category-based draws for 2025 and suggests that healthcare, trade occupations, and French-language proficiency may see an even greater number of draws and ITAs in the coming year.
Comments