Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system.

The immigration department issued 1,000 ITAs to candidates in the first-ever education category-based draw.

To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 479; and
• Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 10:35 a.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on 10 August, 2024.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date	Draw Type	Number of ITAs	Cut-off CRS score
May 2	Healthcare and social services	500	510
May 1	Education	1,000	479
April 28	Provincial Nominee Program	421	727
April 14	Provincial Nominee Program	825	764
March 21	French language proficiency	7,500	379
March 17	Provincial Nominee Program	536	736
March 6	French language proficiency	4,500	410
March 3	Provincial Nominee Program	725	667
February 19	French language proficiency	6,500	428
February 17	Provincial Nominee Program	646	750
February 5	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	521
February 4	Provincial Nominee Program	455	802
January 23	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	527
January 8	Canadian Experience Class	1,350	542
January 7	Provincial Nominee Program	471	793

Today’s draw marks the first candidate selection under IRCC‘s new education category. The education category was first announced in February of this year and is the newest category to be added to the immigration department’s economic priorities.

More information on the occupations included within this category can be found here.

The May 1 draw is also the first Express Entry selection after Canada’s recent national election.

Much attention has been given in recent weeks to Prime Minister Carney’s immigration policies and what Canadian immigration may look like going forward under the new liberal government.

Thus far, IRCC has issued 32,929 ITAs to candidates through the Express Entry system.

Express Entry draws in 2025 thus far have focused primarily on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The remainder of the draws have been dedicated equally to French-language proficiency and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates:

Draw Type	Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)	7
French-language proficiency	3
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	3
Education	1
Healthcare and social services	1

Do I have to hire a lawyer if I get an ITA through Express Entry?

Hiring a lawyer for the Express Entry application process is not required, but it can offer valuable advantages.

Assuming you submitted the same application either on your own or with an immigration representative, your chances of success would not change.

However, a skilled and reputable Canadian immigration lawyer can help you submit the best possible candidate profile and/or application for permanent residence (PR). They can also help you maximize your CRS points.

In addition, a qualified immigration lawyer can:

• Advise you on the correct program to apply under, through the Express Entry system;
• Help you plan for and arrange all needed documents and information for a strong PR application;
• Ensure that your application is accurate and free from mistakes or misrepresentation; and
• Guide you through and help resolve any unforeseen issues with your application.

The main value of hiring an immigration lawyer is not in their ability to complete forms or submit documents on your behalf, but rather in the personalized care and advice that they can provide to you.

Consult with an experienced immigration representative