The Rise of Category-Based Draws in Express Entry: Focus on Skills & Francophones

 


In 2025, Canada’s Express Entry program will see significant changes. Instead of solely looking at the highest candidates, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will use category-based draws more often than not. These draws will be geared towards people with particular skills and/or high French-language proficiency – a change that aims to address Canada’s labour needs and support Francophone communities.


What Are Category-Based Draws?


Category-based draws, as opposed to traditional Express Entry rounds that simply select people based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, invite candidates who meet specified criteria. The invitation categories for 2025, according to the IRCC, are: 


  • Strong French-language skills - to support the increase of Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.

 

  • Work experience in priority sectors, such as health care and social services (i.e., nurses, dentists), skilled trades (i.e., plumbers, carpenters), and education (i.e., teachers, early childhood educators). 

 

  • In addition, there is a new student category and targeted draws for STEM, trades, and agriculture in relation to long-term labour shortages. 


With this approach, Canada is being more responsive to labour-market needs and ensuring that its immigration system is aligned with the real-world situation for its economy.


Why Francophones Are a major emphasis


One of the biggest developments in 2025 is Canada's goal of increasing its Francophone immigrant population. The IRCC is hosting draws for candidates with strong French skills, especially those outside Quebec. France


  • In March 2025, the IRCC held a French-language draw and issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a minimum CRS score of as low as 410.


  • In February 2025, the IRCC held another large French draw, this time 6,500 candidates were invited with a CRS cutoff of only 428. 


  • In October 2025, the IRCC had invited 6,000 French speaking candidates, which proved that it wasn't a one-time event but a real, sustained strategy.


These cohort draws support Francophones with a lower CRS score than would typically get in a general draw. This is part of Canada's effort to increase its bilingual labour force and potential Francophone communities that are minority communities in their own regions.


Explanation of Skills-Based Draws


The other significant aspect of this approach is selection by skill. These preferred draws will be aimed at attracting immigrants with experience in healthcare, skilled trades, education, and other high-demand groups. 


  • If you work as a nurse, plumbing technician, educator, or early childhood educator (or other specific roles), you may draw even if your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score typically would not qualify you in a general draw. 


  • These draws are part of a larger transition to align immigration with labour market requirements. 


  • By selecting specific occupations, Canada can target, and increase the likelihood of inviting, candidates ready to adapt quickly to the Canadian economy.


Implications for Applicants


If you're considering applying through Express Entry in 2025, think twice about these changes — and how you can leverage these changes:


  1. Strong French Skills are a Large Advantage: If you speak, read or write French well (NCLC 7 or higher), you can take advantage of lower CRS cut-offs and more invitations to apply.


  1. Work in Targeted In-Demand Occupations: If you work in healthcare, trades or education, you may be eligible for category draws if you state this on your profile.


  1. Be Sure to Update Your Express Entry Profile: Be sure that your Express Entry system shows your skills, language ability, and work experience.


  1. Think Long Term: These category draws aren't just happenstance; they align with Canada's long-term economic strategy.


How Immigration Consultants Can Assist


This new system with categories is complex; that’s where the professionals come in:

Canada work permit consultants and work visa consultants can keep you informed on which experience or job offer make you eligible for the skills-based or francophone draws.

  • Canada work permit visa consultants assist applicants with transitioning from a temporary visa to permanent residency based on their current job to align in a category-based draw.


  • Canada education consultants support students in choosing programs and institutions that help them enter in-demand categories.


  • A reputable Canadian Immigration Consultancy provides a full range of services to assist applicants from assessing their profile, improving language scores, and finally submitting their Express Entry.


  • If you work with a professional, you will be able to make decisions to improve your chances to gain a selection in a category based draw.


Conclusion


With the onset of category-based draws in the Express Entry program in Canada, we're witnessing a significant departure from an era of simply selecting the highest-scoring candidate. The department's focus is now on tapping into those who best serve Canada's economic goals, and even Francophone immigration goals. 


If you possess strong French language skills, or experience in health, trades or education, you should take advantage of these changes. However, the ability to successfully navigate this new system will depend on your familiarity with it (and the advice of professionals, like Canada work permit consultants, Canada visa consultants or full-fledged Canadian Immigration Consultants).


In any case, if you stay up to date and take a strategic approach to optimizing your profile, you may be able to avail of new opportunities for Canadian permanent residence in 2025 — which weren't available before.

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