March 6, 2025 – Express Entry Update

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who demonstrated proficiency in the French language.

To qualify for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 410 and must have created their Express Entry profile before 7:47 AM Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on February 11, 2025.

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Express Entry Draws in 2025 – Summary

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This latest draw is the second held in March, following a PNP-specific draw on March 3. So far in 2025, IRCC has primarily focused on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, in line with its strategy to prioritize applicants already residing in Canada.

Additionally, this marks the second category-based Express Entry draw of the year for French-speaking candidates. The last similar draw, held on February 19, resulted in 6,500 ITAs issued to applicants with advanced French proficiency.

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Priority Categories for Express Entry in 2025

IRCC has announced key focus areas for Express Entry category-based draws in 2025, adding a new category for candidates in education occupations. The full list of priority categories includes:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations

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Understanding Job Offers Under Express Entry

Many candidates working in Canada may wonder whether their employment qualifies as a valid job offer under Express Entry.

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Upcoming Changes to CRS Points for Job Offers: IRCC has announced that later in 2025, it will remove CRS points awarded for job offers under Express Entry. This change could reduce some candidates’ CRS scores by up to 50 or even 200 points, potentially affecting their chances of receiving an ITA.

A valid job offer under Express Entry must:

• Be full-time and non-seasonal
• Be at least one year in duration
• Fall under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Be recent (issued within the last 12 months)
• Come from an employer who is not an embassy, consulate, or high commission

In most cases, a job offer must also be supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), proving that a Canadian worker was not available to fill the role.

If your CRS score includes points for a job offer that meets these criteria, you may be affected by the upcoming policy change. However, CRS points earned from previous work experience in Canada or abroad will remain unaffected.

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Why Choose Le Immigration Group?

Navigating Express Entry and Canada’s evolving immigration policies can be complex. At Le Immigration Group, we specialize in guiding individuals through every step of the immigration process. Our team provides:

• Personalized consultation to assess your eligibility for Express Entry, PNP, and other immigration pathways
• Expert assistance with document preparation and application submission
• Ongoing support to maximize your chances of success

With 24 years of experience and a track record of handling both straightforward and complex cases, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of immigrating to Canada.

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