IRCC invites 6,500 candidates in first category based draw of 2025

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.

The department issued 6,500 ITAs in a French-proficiency category-based draw.

To be considered candidates needed to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 428, and to have created an Express Entry candidate profile before 4:41 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on February 10, 2025.

Today's draw is the fourth of the month and follows two Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) earlier in February. IRCC has issued a total of 11,601 ITAs in February alone.

Draws in 2025 thus far have predominantly focused on CEC and PNP candidates, as IRCC looks to meet its landings target for 2025-2026. In particular, immigrant landings* (the final step of the permanent residence process) of both CEC and PNP candidates are attributed to the "In-Canada Focus" category, detailed in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. In 2025 this group is allocated a total of 82,890 admissions in total.

*Landings or admissions are distinct from invitations (ITAs) issued through the Express Entry system. A landing occurs when a newcomer arrives in Canada for the first time after applying and being approved for permanent residence (PR) and receiving their confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) document. This is the last part of the PR application process. An ITA on the other hand allows a candidate in the Express Entry system to submit an application for PR to IRCC. The Immigration Levels Plan details landings and not ITAs.