Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 8,036 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through two recent Express Entry draws, reinforcing its commitment to attracting skilled candidates to Canada.
The draws, conducted on March 21 and March 17, targeted specific groups, including French-speaking applicants and those with provincial nominations.
French Language Proficiency Draw – March 21, 2025
According to Immigration News Canada (INC), the March 21 draw focused on French-speaking candidates, with 7,500 ITAs issued. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for selection was 379.
The tie-breaking rule for this round was set for March 6, 2025, ensuring that candidates who submitted their profiles before this date were considered. This marks a continued emphasis by IRCC on French language proficiency, following similar draws in recent months.
Provincial Nominee Program Draw – March 17, 2025
A separate draw on March 17 issued 536 ITAs to candidates with provincial nominations, with a minimum CRS score of 736. The tie-breaking rule was set for March 12, 2025.
Provincial nominations remain a significant advantage, contributing 600 additional CRS points to candidates, increasing their chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency.
CRS Score Trends and Future Predictions
Current CRS score distribution data indicate a large pool of candidates within the 451-500 range, totalling 70,055 individuals. Experts predict that by summer 2025, the CRS score for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates may drop below 500, as the pool shifts toward lower-scoring in-Canada applicants.
There is also speculation that the cutoff score could decline to around 490 by late spring 2025, depending on the frequency of future draws.
Strategies for Improving Express Entry Chances
For candidates who did not receive an ITA in the latest draws, several strategies can enhance their chances in future rounds:
Improve language scores: Higher language proficiency can increase CRS scores by 20-30 points, particularly for those reaching higher Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels.
Gain Canadian work experience: Employment in Canada adds valuable CRS points, especially for CEC candidates.
Explore provincial nominee programs: Securing a provincial nomination contributes 600 CRS points, significantly improving selection chances.
Update Express Entry profiles: Ensuring accurate and complete profile details prevents unnecessary point deductions.
Summary of 2025 Express Entry Draws
Recent Express Entry draws in 2025 have demonstrated Canada’s ongoing focus on skilled immigration. Below is a summary of key draws:
March 6, 2025: French language proficiency draw – 4,500 ITAs, CRS 410.
March 3, 2025: Provincial Nominee Program – 725 ITAs, CRS 667.
February 19, 2025: French language proficiency draw – 6,500 ITAs, CRS 428.
February 17, 2025: Provincial Nominee Program – 646 ITAs, CRS 750.
With IRCC continuing to issue ITAs across various categories, the path to permanent residency remains open for skilled candidates meeting the eligibility requirements.
