Newly obtained information reveals Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) planned invitation schedule for Express Entry category-based draws throughout the remainder of 2025.
An Access to Information Request (ATIP) filed by Calgary-based Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) Mandeep Lidher outlines IRCC’s strategy to align Express Entry invitations with Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. The data indicates that most invitations to apply (ITAs) issued in the second half of 2025 will contribute to meeting 2026 admission targets.
Here’s what the ATIP reveals about upcoming draws.
Planned ITA Allocations for Category-Based Rounds
IRCC introduced category-based selection in 2023 to attract skilled workers in sectors facing significant labour shortages. According to the ATIP, here is the breakdown of planned and already issued ITAs for three key categories in 2025:
| Category | Total ITAs Planned in 2025 | ITAs Issued So Far | ITAs Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | 3,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Healthcare | 8,000 | 7,500 | 500 |
| Trades | 3,300 | 0 | 3,300 |
This suggests that IRCC will hold multiple additional category-based draws before the end of the year, especially in the Trades and Education categories.
What Does This Mean for Candidates?
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Education Occupations: With 2,000 ITAs still to be issued, education professionals can expect more dedicated draws.
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Healthcare Workers: Only 500 ITAs remain, meaning fewer rounds are likely compared to earlier in the year.
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Trades Occupations: All 3,300 ITAs are still available, indicating that significant draw activity is expected for skilled trades.
There are six Express Entry categories in 2025:
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Healthcare and social services
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STEM occupations
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Trade occupations
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Agriculture and agri-food occupations
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Education occupations
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French-language proficiency
The ATIP did not include detailed allocations for all categories, but the above three were specifically highlighted.
Continued Focus on Francophone Immigration
The report also confirms IRCC’s ongoing commitment to increasing French-speaking immigration outside Quebec.
The three large French-language proficiency draws held between February and March 2025—which issued 18,500 ITAs—were part of the effort to reach the 2025 target of 8.5% French-speaking immigrant admissions outside Quebec.
An additional draw on August 8 issued 2,500 ITAs, which will count toward 2026 admission goals.
Provinces to Receive ITA Projections
IRCC will share a three-month ITA calendar with provinces and territories, including:
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Expected draw weeks
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Round types (e.g., category-based, general, provincial nomination)
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Projected minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores
This information helps provinces and territories better plan their nomination strategies under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Key Takeaways for Applicants
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Trades professionals should prepare for upcoming draws, as 3,300 ITAs are planned.
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Education workers have 2,000 ITAs still to be issued.
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French-speaking candidates remain a high priority for IRCC.
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Provinces will use advanced scheduling to align nominations with federal draws.
Applicants in these categories are encouraged to ensure their profiles are up to date and their CRS scores are as competitive as possible.
Stay Updated
IRCC’s category-based selection system is designed to respond to Canada’s evolving economic needs. Candidates are advised to monitor official IRCC announcements and draw updates throughout the fall and winter.
