Canada’s immigration landscape is set for significant changes in 2025, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduces reforms to the Express Entry system. Following a year of impactful modifications in 2024, the upcoming changes will shape how skilled workers and economic immigrants access Canada’s premier immigration pathway.
In this article, we delve into the key adjustments planned for the Express Entry system in 2025, exploring how these changes could impact immigration trends and the selection of candidates.
Increased Role of Express Entry in Canada’s Immigration Targets
Express Entry will assume a more prominent role in Canada’s immigration strategy in 2025. The federal government has set a target of 124,590 landings under Federal Economic programs, a significant rise from the 110,770 admissions target in 2024. This increase coincides with a 20% reduction in overall immigration targets, giving the federal government greater control over admissions by focusing on economic immigration through Express Entry rather than provincial and regional pathways.
The Federal High-Skilled (FHS) allocation—historically managed under Express Entry—will now comprise 31.5% of planned permanent resident admissions in 2025, compared to 22.8% in 2024. This shift underscores Canada’s reliance on Express Entry-managed programs to attract skilled workers. Furthermore, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation has been significantly reduced, from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025, emphasizing the importance of Express Entry as a gateway for economic immigrants.
SWEC’s Take: As Express Entry becomes an even more critical pathway for skilled professionals, aspiring immigrants can rely on SWEC’s expert visa consultants to navigate the system efficiently and maximize their chances of success.
Elimination of CRS Points for Job Offers
Starting in spring 2025, Express Entry candidates will no longer receive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for valid job offers. Currently, job offers contribute an additional 50 or 200 points, depending on the position. This reform, announced in December 2024 by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, is described as a temporary measure, with no end date specified by IRCC.
This adjustment could lead to a decrease in CRS scores for many candidates, particularly those who rely on job offers to boost their ranking. Consequently, candidates must focus on other human capital factors, such as language proficiency, education, and work experience, to strengthen their profiles.
SWEC’s Tip: Understanding how these changes affect your CRS score is crucial. SWEC’s team can provide tailored strategies to optimize your Express Entry profile and help you achieve your Canadian dream.
Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus: New Allocations for Express Entry
In 2025, the Federal High-Skilled (FHS) allocation will be replaced by two subcategories: Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus. These allocations reflect a more targeted approach to selecting candidates under the Immigration Levels Plan:
- In-Canada Focus (82,890 landings): Focused on candidates already in Canada, including those under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Express Entry-aligned PNP, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
- Federal Economic Priorities (41,700 landings): Prioritizes candidates meeting Canada’s labor market and demographic goals, with an emphasis on sectors such as healthcare, trades, and French-language proficiency.
These subcategories signify Canada’s commitment to addressing specific economic and demographic needs while ensuring a streamlined immigration process.
Category-Based Selections: Priorities for 2025
IRCC’s category-based draws, introduced in 2023, will take center stage in 2025. These draws target candidates with specific skills and qualifications aligned with Canada’s labor market needs. Priority sectors for 2025 include:
- Healthcare occupations
- Trades occupations
- French-language proficiency
In addition, Canada aims to increase francophone immigration outside Quebec, setting ambitious targets of 8.5% for 2025 and 9.5% for 2026. Other priority categories include STEM, transport, agriculture, and agri-food occupations.
SWEC’s Insight: Candidates with skills in these sectors or proficiency in French have a competitive edge. SWEC’s visa consultants can help you align your profile with these priorities and capitalize on the opportunities available.
Why These Changes Matter
The reforms to Canada’s Express Entry system reflect a shift towards a more centralized and strategic approach to immigration. By focusing on in-demand sectors and reducing reliance on job offers, IRCC aims to address labor market gaps while maintaining flexibility in candidate selection.
For skilled workers and aspiring immigrants, staying informed and adapting to these changes is essential. With SWEC’s expertise, navigating Canada’s evolving immigration pathways becomes seamless and stress-free.
Ready to make Canada your home? Contact SWEC today for a free Express Entry assessment and expert guidance tailored to your immigration goals.
