How Canada’s 2025 Immigration Levels Plan Impacts Express Entry Candidates

Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan is set to change the landscape for foreign nationals aiming for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. This new plan allocates more spots for Express Entry candidates in 2025, especially favoring two types of applicants: those already in Canada and those eligible for category-based draws. Here’s a breakdown of what these changes mean for candidates and how they might impact the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Increase in Express Entry Allocations for 2025

Although Canada’s overall permanent resident target for 2025 has been reduced by about 20%, the number of spots for Express Entry has actually increased. Here’s a comparison of the targets:

• 2025 Target (New Plan): 124,680
• 2025 Target (Last Year’s Plan): 117,500
• 2024 Target (Last Year’s Plan): 110,770
  
  

This rise in the target means that more ITAs will likely be issued to Express Entry candidates in 2025 than in 2024, opening up more opportunities for those who qualify under the Express Entry system.

Prioritizing Candidates Already in Canada

A key addition to this year’s plan is the “In-Canada Focus” category, which specifically targets candidates already residing in Canada. In 2025, 82,980 of the spots within economic immigration will be allocated to this group, which is about 42% of the federal economic immigration target.

If you are an Express Entry candidate currently living in Canada, your chances of receiving an ITA in 2025 are expected to improve due to this new priority. However, overseas candidates in programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) may find it more challenging to secure an ITA.

Category-Based Draws to Address Key Occupations

The Immigration Levels Plan also includes 41,700 permanent residency spots for the “Federal Economic Priorities” category, which will likely be implemented through category-based draws. These draws are designed to invite candidates who meet specific needs in Canada’s job market. Here are the main categories currently being prioritized:

• French-Language Proficiency
• Healthcare Occupations
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Occupations
• Trade Occupations
• Transport Occupations
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
  
  

For 2025, particular emphasis will be placed on healthcare, trade, and French-language proficiency categories. Candidates eligible in these categories are more likely to receive an ITA.

To qualify for a category-based draw in an in-demand occupation, candidates generally need at least six months of work experience (or equivalent part-time) within the last three years in a relevant field.

Background of the “In-Canada Focus” and Category-Based Draws

In March 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the intent to prioritize “domestic draws,” aimed at helping temporary residents transition to permanent residency. Following this, from May to October 2024, Canada issued 25,700 ITAs across eight Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws. Additionally, IRCC plans to reduce temporary residents from 7% of the population to 5% by 2026.

Category-based draws have also been prominent in 2024, with IRCC conducting multiple rounds targeting specific occupations. Here’s a summary:

The new Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 confirms Canada’s ongoing commitment to category-based draws and suggests that occupations in healthcare, trades, and French-language proficiency will likely see more frequent invitations in the coming year.