Canada Holds First-Ever Express Entry Draw for Education Professionals
On May 1, 2025, Canada made history by holding
its first-ever Express Entry draw specifically for education professionals.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1,000 Invitations
to Apply (ITAs) under the new education category, signaling a new
focus in Canada’s immigration strategy.
Who Was Eligible for the May 1 Express Entry
Draw?
To receive an invitation in this draw, candidates needed:
- A
minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 479
- An
Express Entry profile created before 10:35 a.m. UTC on August 10, 2024
This draw is part of Canada’s ongoing effort to target
immigration candidates based on labour market needs. The education category was
announced earlier this year and is now officially active.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025 (So Far)
|
Date |
Draw Type |
Number of ITAs |
Cut-off CRS Score |
|
May 1 |
Education |
1,000 |
479 |
|
April 28 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
421 |
727 |
|
April 14 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
825 |
764 |
|
March 21 |
French-language Proficiency |
7,500 |
379 |
|
March 17 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
536 |
736 |
|
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 |
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 32,929 ITAs through the Express Entry
system.
Focus of Express Entry Draws in 2025
Here's how the draws are distributed by category:
|
Draw Type |
Number of Draws |
|
Provincial Nominee Program |
7 |
|
French-language Proficiency |
3 |
|
Canadian Experience Class |
3 |
|
Education |
1 |
This first education-focused draw took place shortly after Canada’s national
election, where much attention has been given to new Prime Minister Carney’s
immigration priorities.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Express Entry?
Hiring an immigration lawyer is not mandatory, but
it can help improve the quality of your application and ensure everything is
done right.
A skilled Canadian immigration lawyer can:
- Help
you select the right program under Express Entry
- Ensure
your profile and application are strong and accurate
- Maximize
your CRS score
- Help
resolve any issues that may arise during the process
The real value of a lawyer isn’t just filling
out forms — it’s the expert advice and peace of mind they provide.
Final Thoughts
This new draw for education professionals shows that Canada
is opening more targeted pathways to permanent residency. If you're a
teacher or work in education and want to move to Canada, now is a great time to
explore your eligibility under Express Entry.
