If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, 2025 has brought the most significant changes to the system in its 10-year history. As an immigration lawyer serving clients throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, I’ve been closely monitoring these developments and helping clients navigate the new landscape.
This article breaks down the critical changes affecting Express Entry candidates in 2025 and what they mean for your permanent residence application.
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for skilled worker immigration. It manages three federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The system ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence through regular invitation rounds.
The Biggest Change: Job Offer Points Removed
On December 23, 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that Express Entry candidates would no longer receive additional CRS points for having a job offer, with this change taking effect on March 25, 2025.
What This Means
Previously, candidates could earn:
- 200 CRS points for a valid job offer in a senior management position (NOC TEER 0 Major Group 00)
- 50 CRS points for a valid job offer in NOC TEER Category 1, 2, or 3 jobs
This temporary measure was implemented to reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to improve candidates’ chances of selection.
Important Clarification
If having a valid job offer is part of your eligibility criteria for a specific program, this requirement hasn’t changed. You must still include job offer details in your Express Entry profile to remain eligible for programs that require it, such as certain Federal Skilled Worker Program applications.
The change only affects the additional CRS points, not program eligibility requirements.
2025 Express Entry Categories: Strategic Focus Areas
For 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the focus of federal economic class draws will be to invite candidates with Canadian work experience through the Canadian Experience Class, along with category-based invitation rounds in specific priority areas.
Priority Categories for 2025
IRCC will conduct category-based draws in the following areas:
- Healthcare and Social Services – including family physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and chiropractors
- Trades – including carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Education – including teachers, child care educators, and instructors of persons with disabilities
- French Language Proficiency – candidates with strong French language skills
The education category is new for 2025, reflecting Canada’s acute shortage of qualified educators.
Reduced Immigration Levels and Increased Competition
Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reduces permanent resident admissions to 395,000 in 2025, compared to higher targets in previous years. This represents approximately a 20% reduction in overall immigration levels.
However, Express Entry is receiving a larger share of these reduced numbers. The federal economic programs allocation has increased to 124,590 landings in 2025, up from 110,770 in 2024.
What This Means for Candidates
With reduced overall numbers but a higher proportion going through Express Entry, competition is intense. The elimination of all-program draws in 2025 means candidates must either:
- Have Canadian work experience (Canadian Experience Class)
- Qualify for a priority occupation category
- Receive a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination
- Have strong French language proficiency
No All-Program Draws in 2025
For the first time since Express Entry launched in 2015, IRCC has not conducted a single all-program draw in 2025. All invitation rounds have been:
- Program-specific (primarily Canadian Experience Class)
- Category-based (healthcare, trades, education, French language)
- Provincial Nominee Program draws
This represents a fundamental shift from the traditional points-based system to a more targeted, labour-market-focused approach.
French Language: A Major Priority
Canada has set ambitious targets for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec: 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027 of overall permanent resident admissions.
French language category draws have been among the largest in 2025, with some rounds inviting over 6,500 candidates with CRS scores as low as 379.
Practical Tip: If you have any French language ability, taking the TEF Canada or TCF Canada test and improving your French proficiency can significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
Prioritizing Temporary Residents Already in Canada
IRCC’s 2025-26 Departmental Plan emphasizes transitioning temporary residents already in Canada to permanent residence, with Canadian Experience Class invitations supporting this priority.
If you’re currently in Canada on a work permit or as a post-graduation work permit holder with Canadian skilled work experience, you have a significant advantage in the 2025 Express Entry system.
What Should You Do?
If You’re Already in the Express Entry Pool
- Review your CRS score – With job offer points removed, your score may have decreased. Calculate your new score using IRCC’s official CRS calculator.
- Consider provincial nomination – A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points and virtually guarantees an invitation to apply.
- Improve other factors – Focus on improving language test scores, gaining additional Canadian work experience, or obtaining additional education credentials.
- Monitor category-based draws – If you work in healthcare, trades, or education, watch for category-specific invitation rounds.
- Learn or improve French – French language proficiency has become one of the most valuable assets in Express Entry.
If You’re Planning to Enter the Pool
- Maximize your CRS score before creating your profile – Get your language tests, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and gather all documentation first.
- Consider gaining Canadian work experience – If possible, come to Canada on a work permit first to gain Canadian Experience Class eligibility.
- Research Provincial Nominee Programs – Many provinces have their own immigration streams that can lead to PNP nominations.
- Be realistic about timing – With increased competition and targeted draws, receiving an invitation may take longer than in previous years.
Common Questions
IRCC has described this as a “temporary measure,” but no timeline has been provided for when or if job offer points will be restored. The measure is designed to reduce fraud in the LMIA system.
Yes. Canadian work experience remains valuable and is worth up to 70 CRS points. It also makes you eligible for the Canadian Experience Class program, which is receiving priority in 2025.
While you won’t receive CRS points for it, a genuine job offer remains valuable for settlement purposes and may be required for certain program eligibility. Some Provincial Nominee Programs also value or require job offers.
IRCC continues to aim for processing most complete Express Entry applications within 6 months of receiving an invitation to apply.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 Express Entry system represents a fundamental shift toward targeted immigration selection. Success now requires:
- Canadian connection – Work experience in Canada is highly valued
- In-demand skills – Healthcare, trades, education, and French language abilities are prioritized
- High CRS scores – With job offer points removed, candidates must maximize other factors
- Strategic planning – Provincial nominations and French language proficiency are increasingly important pathways
How We Can Help
At George Lee Law, we provide comprehensive Express Entry services for clients throughout Vancouver, BC, and the Lower Mainland. Our bilingual services in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin ensure you fully understand your options and receive personalized guidance through:
- CRS score assessment and optimization strategies
- Provincial Nominee Program applications
- Complete Express Entry profile preparation
- Post-ITA application support and document review
- French language pathway assessment
The Express Entry landscape has changed dramatically in 2025. Having experienced legal counsel who stays current with IRCC policies and procedures can make the difference between success and disappointment.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Canadian immigration law as of November 2025 and should not be considered legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified immigration lawyer. All information is based on official IRCC sources and is subject to change.
Contact George Lee Law at 604-681-1611
Serving Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, and the Lower Mainland