Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently expanded opportunities for international candidates through its Express Entry system, issuing 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest French-language proficiency draw. This development marks a significant milestone as the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required dropped to 410—the lowest threshold observed since August 2024.
Understanding the Latest Express Entry Draw
The March 6th draw specifically targeted candidates with French language proficiency who had created profiles before February 11, 2025. This represents part of Canada’s ongoing commitment to increasing bilingual immigration, particularly relevant for Indian students who have invested in French language skills.
According to recent statistics from the IRCC, approximately 12% of Express Entry immigrants now demonstrate proficiency in French, compared to just 7% in 2019. This trend suggests growing opportunities for multilingual Indian candidates.
Express Entry Draws in 2025: A Strategic Analysis
The pattern of Express Entry draws in 2025 reveals a clear strategic direction in Canadian immigration policy:
Recent Draw Statistics
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Analysis of these figures indicates that the IRCC has conducted nine draws in the first quarter of 2025, with a notable focus on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates (three draws) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates (four draws). This aligns with Canada’s recently announced policy to prioritize candidates with Canadian experience—a crucial insight for Indian students planning their immigration pathway.
Priority Categories for 2025: New Opportunities
The IRCC has established four priority categories for category-based selections in 2025:
- French-language proficiency – With two targeted draws already this year
- Healthcare and social services occupations – Addressing critical shortages
- Trade occupations – Supporting infrastructure development
- Education occupations – Newly added for 2025
The addition of education occupations represents a significant opportunity for Indian graduates with teaching qualifications. Recent data from Statistics Canada indicates that the education sector is experiencing a 4.3% vacancy rate, with projected shortages of approximately 30,000 qualified educators by 2026.
Critical Policy Change: Removal of Job Offer Points
An impending policy change that will significantly impact Express Entry candidates is the planned removal of CRS points for job offers of arranged employment. Currently, these offers can add up to 200 points to a candidate’s score—a substantial advantage in a competitive system.
According to immigration experts, this change is expected to affect approximately 15-20% of Express Entry candidates, potentially reducing their scores by 50-200 points. For Indian students and professionals, understanding whether this change affects your profile is crucial.
Distinguishing Between Work Permits and Valid Job Offers
Many Indian professionals working in Canada may assume their current employment automatically qualifies for CRS points, but this is not always the case. To qualify as a valid job offer under Express Entry, employment must meet strict criteria:
- Full-time and non-seasonal
- Minimum one-year duration
- TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3 classification
- Issued within the last year
- From an eligible employer (excluding diplomatic missions)
Moreover, most offers require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), confirming no qualified Canadian was available for the position. Only about 22% of foreign workers in Canada have LMIA-backed positions, according to recent data.
Strategic Considerations for Indian Students
For Indian students considering Canada as an education and immigration destination, these developments present both opportunities and challenges. The emphasis on in-Canada experience suggests that study-to-work-to-PR pathways remain highly viable, particularly in priority sectors.
The lowering CRS score threshold in category-based draws also opens doors for candidates who might not compete effectively in general draws but have specialized skills or language abilities.
