June 2025 Express Entry Update: What Skilled Professionals Need to Know
June 12, 2025
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Canada’s Express Entry system continues to be a vital pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. The May 2025 draws marked a notable shift with new category-based selections targeting education and healthcare professionals, alongside ongoing draws for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. This update analyzes the latest Express Entry activity, including draw volumes, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) trends, and what skilled professionals should expect moving into June 2025.
This guide takes a look at Express Entry updates Skilled Professionals need to know.
May 2025 Express Entry Draws
After a relatively quiet April, May 2025 saw a significant increase in Express Entry activity. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 2,511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across four draws — more than double the volume from April, though still below the high numbers seen earlier in the year. The draws included:
- May 1: Education occupations category-based draw — 1,000 ITAs issued, CRS cut-off 479
- May 2: Healthcare and social services category-based draw — 500 ITAs issued, CRS cut-off 510
- May 12: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw — 511 ITAs issued, CRS cut-off 706
- May 13: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw — 500 ITAs issued, CRS cut-off 547
These category-based draws for education and healthcare professionals were the first of their kind in 2025, signaling IRCC’s focus on addressing labour market needs in these priority sectors.
Understanding Category-Based Draws
Category-based draws select candidates from specific occupational groups, rather than the general Express Entry pool. This approach allows Canada to target skilled workers in sectors with acute labour shortages. The May draws for education and healthcare professionals illustrate this strategy:
- The Education occupations draw issued 1,000 ITAs with a relatively moderate CRS cut-off of 479, reflecting the government’s priority to attract teachers and educational professionals.
- The Healthcare and social services draw issued 500 ITAs with a higher CRS cut-off of 510, targeting nurses, therapists, and other healthcare workers in high demand across provinces.
For skilled workers in these fields, category-based draws present fresh opportunities to receive ITAs even if their CRS scores are below the thresholds typically required in general draws.
CRS Score Trends and ITA Volumes
The CRS score cut-offs in May varied significantly by draw type:
| Draw Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Education occupations | 1,000 | 479 |
| May 2 | Healthcare & social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
Compared to earlier months, these cut-offs are lower than those seen in the first quarter of 2025, when some PNP draws required CRS scores above 700. This suggests a slight easing in selection thresholds for category-based draws, aimed at filling labour market gaps more rapidly.
In total, IRCC has issued 34,717 ITAs through Express Entry in 2025 so far. The majority of these invitations have gone to PNP candidates, reflecting provincial priorities, while the remainder have been divided among CEC applicants, French-speaking candidates, and those in priority categories such as education and healthcare.
June 2025 Draws
The first Express Entry draw of June 2025, held on June 2, invited 277 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program. This draw had a CRS cut-off score of 726, higher than the May 12 PNP draw’s 706, indicating increased competition among PNP candidates.
The PNP remains a crucial immigration stream, allowing provinces and territories to nominate skilled workers who intend to settle in specific regions. Each province has tailored streams targeting various occupations, including skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.
Skilled workers aiming for Canadian permanent residency should closely monitor PNP streams, as provincial nominations significantly boost CRS scores by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA in the next draw.
What Skilled Professionals Should Know
- Category-Based Draws Offer New Opportunities: The introduction of category-based draws for education and healthcare occupations in May 2025 highlights Canada’s targeted approach to filling critical labour shortages. Skilled workers in these sectors should explore eligibility for these draws, as CRS thresholds may be more accessible than in general draws.
- CRS Scores Vary by Draw Type: CRS cut-offs fluctuate based on the draw category and labour market priorities. While PNP draws often have higher CRS requirements, category-based draws for priority occupations may have lower cut-offs, providing alternative pathways for skilled workers with moderate CRS scores.
- Provincial Nominee Program Is Key: Securing a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to increase CRS scores and improve chances of receiving an ITA. Skilled workers should investigate PNP streams aligned with their occupation and province of interest.
- Stay Updated on Draw Patterns: Express Entry draws can alternate between general, program-specific, and category-based selections. Keeping abreast of IRCC announcements and draw results helps candidates time their applications strategically.
How to Prepare for Express Entry in 2025
- Calculate Your CRS Score: Use official tools to assess your current CRS and identify areas for improvement, such as language proficiency, education, or work experience.
- Consider Provincial Nominees: Research PNP streams that match your skills and location preferences to gain a nomination and a CRS boost.
- Focus on Priority Occupations: If you work in education, healthcare, or other in-demand sectors, check if category-based draws apply to you.
- Improve Language Skills: Higher scores in English or French language tests can significantly increase your CRS score.
- Gather Documentation Early: Prepare educational credential assessments, work references, and language test results in advance to expedite your application once invited.
FAQs
What Are Category-Based Express Entry Draws?
Category-based draws target candidates from specific occupations or sectors, such as education or healthcare, allowing Canada to address labour shortages by inviting skilled workers in high-demand fields.
How Can Skilled Workers Improve Their CRS Scores?
Candidates can improve their CRS scores by enhancing language test results, gaining additional work experience, pursuing higher education, or obtaining a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points.
What is the Advantage of a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Nomination?
A PNP nomination significantly boosts a candidate’s CRS score by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply in the next Express Entry draw. It also aligns candidates with provinces seeking their specific skills.