Canada’s Immigration Plans for 2025: More Opportunities for Express Entry Candidates
November 7, 2024 Amritpal Kaur
Exciting news for anyone looking to immigrate to Canada! The Canadian government has just unveiled its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025, and it’s packed with great news for Express Entry candidates. With increased targets for Permanent Resident (PR) spots, 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of new opportunities for skilled workers, especially for those already in Canada or working in high-demand sectors.
In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the upcoming changes, how they will affect Express Entry candidates, and what this means for your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
What's New in the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan?
Canada is increasing its target for Express Entry candidates in 2025, which is a huge win for anyone looking to make Canada their permanent home. According to the new levels plan, the country aims to invite 124,680 Express Entry candidates in 2025, a noticeable rise from the 2024 target of 117,500. This is in line with Canada’s ongoing strategy to address labour shortages and promote its economic growth through immigration.
But that’s not all. The increase in the target for 2025 also highlights the government’s focus on two key areas: Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus. So, if you're already in Canada or have skills that match the country’s growing needs, you’re in a good position to benefit.
Increased Chances for In-Canada Candidates
One of the biggest changes in the new immigration plan is the prioritization of candidates who are already living and working in Canada. If you’re a temporary resident (for example, someone on a work permit), you’ll likely see higher chances of receiving an ITA in the coming year.
The Canadian government is keen on retaining skilled workers who are already contributing to the workforce. Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration Minister, has recently emphasized the importance of supporting temporary residents in their journey toward becoming Permanent Residents. Over 25,700 ITAs were issued between May and October 2024 alone in Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, a clear signal that in-Canada candidates are a top priority.
Category-Based Draws: A New Focus on Key Sectors
Another exciting development in the 2025 immigration plan is the increased focus on category-based draws. These draws are designed to target specific skilled workers in sectors that are critical to Canada’s economy. The idea is to bring in talent where it's most needed, including fields like healthcare, agriculture, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and more.
The government has outlined the following key sectors for category-based draws:
French-language proficiency
Healthcare occupations
Transport occupations
STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Trade occupations
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
If you’re a skilled worker in one of these areas, this is great news. To be eligible for these category-based draws, you’ll need at least six years of experience (full-time or equivalent part-time) in an in-demand occupation over the past three years. The Canadian government aims to invite candidates in these fields to help address Canada’s labour shortages and promote its cultural diversity.
Looking Back: Category-Based Draws in 2024
In 2024, Canada introduced more targeted immigration through category-based draws, focusing on specific sectors in high demand. For instance, in the Agriculture and agri-food category, one draw resulted in 150 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The French-language proficiency category saw the largest number of ITAs, with 21,400 invitations issued across nine draws, reflecting Canada's strong emphasis on bilingualism. In the Healthcare sector, two draws resulted in 7,250 ITAs, while STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals received 4,500 ITAs from a single draw. Similarly, the Trade sector saw two draws issuing 3,600 ITAs, and Transport occupations had one draw with 975 ITAs issued. These category-based draws underscore the Canadian government’s strategic focus on attracting talent in key sectors that are critical to the nation’s economic development.
The French-language proficiency category led the way with a whopping 21,400 ITAs, highlighting how much Canada values bilingualism. Healthcare, trade, and STEM professions also saw significant numbers of ITAs, showing that these sectors are crucial to Canada’s workforce.
What Does This Mean for Overseas Candidates?
Now, what about candidates applying from outside Canada? While the increased emphasis on in-Canada applicants might sound concerning for overseas candidates, there’s no need to worry. If you have in-demand skills, especially in areas like healthcare, STEM, or French-language proficiency, you still have great opportunities ahead. The Canadian government is actively seeking skilled workers from all over the world, and the increase in PR targets means there will be more chances for you to land an ITA.
That said, competition could be higher in some sectors, so it’s essential to ensure your Express Entry profile is as strong as possible. A well-rounded profile with language proficiency, work experience, and education in high-demand fields will give you a significant edge in this competitive process.
Final Thoughts: 2025 Is Your Year for Canadian Immigration
With the increased PR targets for 2025, the emphasis on in-Canada candidates, and more category-based draws, there’s never been a better time to consider immigrating to Canada. Whether you’re already in Canada on a temporary work permit or planning to apply from overseas, now is the time to take action and prepare your Express Entry profile.
The 2025 immigration plan signals a welcoming future for skilled workers, and if you have the right qualifications, you could soon be on your way to becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada.
Good luck with your immigration journey—Canada is ready to welcome you!