Canada’s immigration landscape is shifting and that too at a fast pace. We have seen a lot of changes in 2024, the Express Entry system is now stepping into an even bigger role in 2025. If you’re planning to apply or just keeping an eye on things, we have brought a detailed guide for you to find what’s new, what’s different, and what it could mean for you.
Express Entry Is Taking Center Stage in 2025
Let’s start with the big picture: Canada is turning more attention to Express Entry as its main economic immigration tool.
In 2025, the government plans to welcome 124,590 new permanent residents through Express Entry programs, a jump from 110,770 the year before. That’s a solid increase — even as overall immigration targets are being reduced by 20%.
Why the shift? By focusing more on federal programs like Express Entry and scaling back on regional ones, the government gets more control over who’s coming in — and how they meet Canada’s labour needs.
In fact, Express Entry-related admissions will make up 31.5% of all new permanent resident spots in 2025 — up from just 22.8% in 2024.
At the same time, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) numbers are being cut in half — from 110,000 to 55,000. So if you’re a skilled worker looking to move to Canada, chances are high your path will go through Express Entry.
Job Offer Points Are Being Removed from CRS (At Least for Now)
Big news for anyone counting on job offer points to boost their CRS score: They’re going away in spring 2025.
Right now, if you have a valid job offer in Canada, it can add 50 or 200 points to your score. But starting in spring, those points will no longer count — at least temporarily. The immigration minister announced the change in December 2024, but no end date has been given yet.
What does this mean for candidates?
CRS scores could drop for many people in the pool.
Applicants will need to focus more on other factors — like language skills, work experience, and education — to stay competitive. This change only affects people applying after the rule kicks in. If you’ve been leaning heavily on that job offer, it’s time to double-check your strategy.
Category-Based Draws Are Getting More Attention
Canada isn’t just looking for “any skilled worker” anymore. In 2025, Express Entry will put a bigger spotlight on category-based draws — targeting people with specific skills, experience, or language abilities that match Canada’s current needs. These Are the Priority Categories for 2025:
- Healthcare occupations
- Trades (like plumbing, electrical, and construction work)
- French language speakers
- Tackle labour shortages and boost French-speaking communities outside Quebec.
And that’s not all — other categories that may be used for draws include:
- STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) jobs
- Transport jobs
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
So if you’ve got skills in any of these areas, 2025 could be your year. Canada is doubling down on attracting French-speaking immigrants. In 2025, the goal is for 8.5% of all new permanent residents to be francophones (outside Quebec). That number will rise to 9.5% in 2026.
So if you speak French — even if it’s not your first language — it might give you an edge in the Express Entry pool.
Summing Up
2025 is shaping up to be a game-changer for Canada’s Express Entry system. With more spots available, new selection rules, and a sharper focus on specific skills and sectors, staying informed — and adapting your strategy — is more important than ever.
Whether you’re already in the Express Entry pool or thinking of jumping in, now’s the time to brush up your profile, focus on your strengths, and keep an eye on the latest draws. Need help figuring out where you stand? We are here to assist you at Blue Throat Immigration Consultancy.