🇨🇦 IRCC’s Express Entry 2025 Category-Based Draw Schedule Revealed!

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just shared some interesting details about category-based Express Entry draws planned for the rest of 2025. If you’re keeping an eye on your Express Entry profile, this is something you’ll want to know!

📊 What Are Category-Based Draws?

IRCC started category-based Express Entry draws in 2023 to prioritize candidates with in-demand skills and experience in specific sectors. In 2025, there are six main categories:

1. Healthcare and Social Services 🏥

2. STEM Occupations 🔬

3. Trade Occupations 🛠️

4. Agriculture and Agri-Food 🌾

5. Education 🎓

6. French-Language Proficiency 🇫🇷

Category-based draws aim to meet labour market needs while supporting Canada’s immigration targets.

🗓️ ITA Allocation for 2025

The Access to Information Request (ATIP) revealed by Calgary-based RCIC Mandeep Lidher shows how many Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are planned and issued so far:

Category	Total ITAs in 2025	ITAs Issued So Far	ITAs Yet to Be Issued
Education 🎓	3,000	1,000	2,000
Healthcare 🏥	8,000	7,500	500
Trades 🛠️	3,300	0	3,300

💡 This means several rounds of draws are expected in the last five months of 2025, especially for Education and Trades.

🇫🇷 Francophone Immigration

The federal government is also focused on maximizing Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

• Earlier in 2025, a French-proficiency draw over 8 weeks (Feb–Mar) issued 18,500 ITAs 📝

• Another draw on August 8 issued 2,500 ITAs ✨

These rounds help Canada reach its 8.5% French-language admission target for 2025 and set the stage for 2026.

🏙️ ITA Calendar for Provinces & Territories

IRCC plans to share an ITA calendar with provinces and territories, including:

• Expected weeks for draws 📅

• Types of rounds 📝

• Projected minimum scores for the next 2 months 📊

This helps provinces plan their nominations more strategically and align with federal targets.

✅ Takeaways for Express Entry Candidates

• Keep your profile updated for category-based draws.

• Education 🎓, Healthcare 🏥, and Trades 🛠️ will see more rounds in late 2025.

• French-language proficiency 🇫🇷 is still a priority outside Quebec.

• Provincial & territorial coordination will make draws more predictable, but competition remains high.

If you’re aiming for Express Entry in 2025, now is the time to review your CRS score and make sure you’re ready for these category-based ITAs! 🚀

Book a consultation now!

🇨🇦 IRCC’s Express Entry 2025 Category-Based Draw Schedule Revealed!