Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan brings important changes for foreign nationals aiming for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
According to the Plan, a higher number of permanent residency spots have been reserved for Express Entry candidates in 2025.
Two groups of candidates are likely to benefit most from these updates:
- Candidates already in Canada
- Candidates eligible for category-based draws
For those outside these focus categories, securing an invitation to apply (ITA) through Express Entry in 2025 may become more challenging.
Rise in Express Entry allocation
While the federal government reduced overall targets for permanent resident admissions by approximately 20% for 2025, it has actually boosted the allocation for Express Entry.
- 2025 target under the current plan: 124,680.
- 2025 target under last year’s plan: 117,500.
- 2024 target under last year’s plan: 110,770.
The 2025 immigration target for the combined “In-Canada Focus” and “Economic Priorities” categories has been raised to 124,680, surpassing both the 2024 target and the previously set 2025 goal in last year’s Immigration Levels Plan. For 2024, IRCC aimed for 110,770 admissions under the “federal high skilled” (FHS) category, covering Express Entry programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Last year’s plan set a 2025 target of 117,500 for the FHS category, indicating a higher volume of Express Entry invitations expected for 2025 than in 2024.
Emphasis is being placed on candidates already residing in Canada
As part of this year’s Plan, IRCC has launched an “In-Canada Focus” category aimed at enhancing economic immigration for Express Entry-managed programs. Also, this new category is expected to increase the chances for candidates currently living in Canada to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in 2025.
IRCC has set a target of 82,980 for this category for 2025, accounting for about 42% of the overall federal economic immigration goal of 197,650. Consequently, overseas applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) may see a decrease in their likelihood of receiving ITAs.
*This target is calculated by subtracting the 34,500 designated for Quebec Skilled Workers and Business from the total economic immigration goal of 232,150, as Quebec has its own independent immigration system and targets.
Focus on draws based on specific categories
Under this year’s Plan, IRCC has targeted 41,700 permanent residence admissions through a “Federal Economic Priorities” category within Express Entry programs.
Moreover, media expects that IRCC will achieve this target by conducting category-based draws, a process first introduced in May 2023. Also, these draws allow IRCC to invite Express Entry candidates whose occupations fulfill specific labor market needs across Canada.
The current in-demand categories include:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields
- Skilled trades
- Transport sectors
- Agriculture and agri-food industries
In its 2025 Levels Plan, the federal government has highlighted healthcare, trades, and French-language proficiency as priority areas.
Express Entry candidates meeting these criteria may have improved chances of receiving an ITA in 2025. Typically, eligibility for a category-based draw in a high-demand field requires six months of work experience (or an equivalent part-time amount) within the last three years in the relevant occupation.
Origins and development of the “In-Canada Focus
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on March 21, 2024, that IRCC would prioritize “domestic draws” to facilitate the transition of temporary residents in Canada to permanent status.
From May to October 2024, IRCC issued a total of 25,700 ITAs through eight Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.
IRCC has not held a general draw since April 23, 2024.
The agency also aims to decrease the percentage of temporary residents in the population from the current 7% to 5% by 2026.
Background of category-based draws
In 2024, numerous category-based draws were conducted.
- Agriculture and Agri-food: 1 draw, 150 ITAs
- French Language Proficiency: 9 draws, 21,400 ITAs
- Healthcare: 2 draws, 7,250 ITAs
- STEM: 1 draw, 4,500 ITAs
- Trade: 2 draws, 3,600 ITAs
- Transport: 1 draw, 975 ITAs
This year’s Plan confirms IRCC’s dedication to category-based draws for 2025, indicating that healthcare, trade occupations, and French-language proficiency may have an increased number of draws and ITAs next year.