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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued additional invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Express Entry system.
The immigration department issued 4,500 ITAs in a draw focused on candidates with French language proficiency.
To qualify for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 410 and had to have created an Express Entry profile before 7:47 AM Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on February 11, 2025.
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Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Today’s draw is the second of the month, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on March 3.
Express Entry draws in 2025 have largely focused on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to prioritizing candidates currently in Canada. This year, there have been four PNP draws and three CEC draws.
As of March 6, 2025, IRCC has conducted two category-based Express Entry draws—both targeting candidates with French language proficiency. A previous draw on February 19 issued 6,500 ITAs to those with advanced French skills.
Recently, the immigration department also announced its priority categories for 2025, adding a new category for education-related occupations. These priority categories for 2025 are:
- French language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
Does working in Canada count as a valid job offer under Express Entry?
In the spring of 2025, IRCC plans to remove CRS points for job offers under the Express Entry system. This change could reduce some candidates’ CRS scores by as much as 50 to 200 points, significantly affecting their chances of receiving an ITA.
It’s important to understand how this change may impact you. Working in Canada with a work permit is not the same as having an “arranged employment” job offer under Express Entry.
To work full-time in Canada, foreign nationals (who are not permanent residents) must have a work permit (or in some cases, a study permit for a co-op placement).
For a job offer to qualify for CRS points under Express Entry, it must meet these criteria:
- Full-time and non-seasonal
- At least one year in duration
- A skilled job in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Issued within the past year
- From an employer who is not an embassy, consulate, or high commission
A valid job offer usually requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which an employer must obtain to prove that no Canadian worker is available for the position.
If you’re earning CRS points for a job offer that meets these requirements, you may be impacted by the removal of CRS points. However, CRS points based on your foreign or Canadian work experience will not be affected by this change.
For more information on Express Entry and what constitutes a valid job offer, please visit our dedicated webpage.
