Canada’s Express Entry system, a key pathway for economic immigration, is set to undergo significant changes in 2025. These updates reflect the federal government’s evolving immigration priorities, emphasizing labor market alignment and a more focused approach to candidate selection. Below, we analyze the upcoming changes and their potential impact.
1. Increased Share of Immigration Targets for Express Entry
In 2025, Express Entry’s share of immigration targets will rise, with federal economic programs set to admit 124,590 newcomers, up from 110,770 in 2024. This increase aligns with a 20% reduction in overall immigration levels, empowering the federal government to manage a larger proportion of admissions directly.
- Federal High Skilled (FHS) vs. New Allocations:
The FHS category, previously covering Express Entry, will be replaced by two new sub-categories:- In-Canada Focus: Targets candidates already in Canada, including Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and other programs. Allocated 82,890 admissions.
- Federal Economic Priorities: Focuses on external candidates in key sectors like healthcare and trades. Allocated 41,700 admissions.
This shift underscores Express Entry’s increasing importance in addressing Canada’s labor market needs and demographic goals.
2. Removal of CRS Points for Job Offers
Starting in spring 2025, candidates will no longer receive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for valid job offers.
- Current Policy: Candidates earn 50–200 points based on job offer levels, significantly boosting CRS scores.
- Impact of the Change: The removal will level the playing field, placing greater emphasis on core human capital factors such as education, language proficiency, and work experience.
This “temporary measure,” announced in December 2024, could lower overall CRS scores in the pool, though its long-term effects on cut-off thresholds remain uncertain.
3. Focus on Category-Based Selections
Canada will continue to prioritize category-based Express Entry draws, targeting candidates with specific skills or language abilities.
- Priority Categories for 2025:
- Healthcare occupations
- Trades occupations
- French-language proficiency
- French-Speaking Immigrants:
Canada has committed to increasing francophone immigrants outside Quebec, with a target of 8.5% of total admissions in 2025, rising to 9.5% by 2026.
Category-based draws will play a vital role in addressing Canada’s labor shortages and supporting the country’s linguistic diversity.
4. Scaling Back Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Allocations
In 2025, PNP allocations will be reduced by 50%, from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000. This move shifts the focus toward federal immigration pathways like Express Entry, consolidating control at the federal level.
While PNPs remain essential for regional economic goals, this reduction signifies a strategic pivot toward streamlined federal management.
5. Increased Focus on Priority Sectors
The “Federal Economic Priorities” allocation emphasizes sectors critical to Canada’s economy. These include:
- Healthcare
- Trades
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Transportation
- Agriculture and Agri-food
By aligning immigration with long-term labor shortages, these changes aim to create a more resilient workforce.
Potential Implications for Candidates
- Competitiveness: Without CRS points for job offers, candidates must focus on improving other factors such as language test scores or gaining Canadian work experience.
- Sector-Specific Opportunities: Applicants in healthcare, trades, and other priority fields may benefit from targeted draws.
- Francophone Advantage: French-speaking candidates will find enhanced opportunities, reflecting Canada’s commitment to linguistic diversity.
A New Era for Express Entry
The 2025 updates to Canada’s Express Entry system signal a deliberate shift toward labor market alignment and centralized federal control. With a greater emphasis on priority sectors, linguistic diversity, and in-Canada applicants, these changes reflect a targeted approach to immigration that balances economic and social goals.
