Which profiles are receiving ITAs in the Express Entry Draws?

IRCC has been conducting more category-based draws, inviting skilled professionals to apply for Canada PR. Candidates in the category-based draws are generally invited through the STEM, Healthcare, Trades, Education, Agriculture, and French-language proficiency categories. IRCC currently prioritizes the Trade, Education, and Healthcare and social services occupations. Profiles from the above categories have received the most ITAs in the latest Express Entry Draws. Candidates with high-priority occupations and the required skills and qualifications can qualify for the category-based Express Entry draws and have better chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

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Which categories are prioritized in the latest Express Entry Draws?

The latest Express Entry Draws have been focusing more on category-based draws. The six categories that have received ITAs so far this year are the Healthcare and social services occupations, STEM occupations, Trade occupations, Agriculture and agri-food occupations, Education occupations, and French-language proficiency, amongst which top-priority is given to the Trades, Healthcare, and Education occupations. Nearly 12,250 ITAs have been issued so far for the above three categories under the category-based Express Entry Draws. Applicants in these categories, with the required skills and qualifications, have received invitations through Express Entry Draws.

The table below provides a complete overview of the total number of ITAs allotted and those that will be issued this year for the education, healthcare, and Trade occupations.

 

Category	Number of ITAs in 2025	Number of ITAs issued so far in 2025	Number of ITAs yet to be issued in 2025
Education	3,500	3,500	NA
Healthcare	8,000	7,500	500
Trades	3,300	1250	2,050

 

The trade occupations are currently one of the most in-demand categories, and more rounds of invitations are expected to be conducted for the remainder of this year.

The table below can help you understand the Skills transferability factors and the points allotted for each under Express Entry:

 

Factor Combination	Details	Points
Education + Language Ability	Post-secondary credential + CLB 7 or higher	Up to 50
Education + Canadian Work Experience	Post-secondary credential + 1 year or more Canadian work experience	Up to 50
Foreign Work Experience + Language Ability	1–2 years foreign work + CLB 7 or higher	Up to 50
Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience	1–2 years foreign work + 1 year Canadian work	Up to 50
Certificate of Qualification + Language Ability	Trade certificate (from a Canadian province/territory) + CLB 5/7+	Up to 50

 

Read more…

When is the Next Canada PR Draw?
 

How to qualify for category-based selections under Express Entry?

To qualify for the category-based selection under the Express Entry program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Fulfill the eligibility criteria for at least 1 of the 3 Express Entry programs (CEC, FSTP, and FSWP)
• Have professional work experience in any of the qualifying categories under the Express Entry program (could be inside Canada or outside)
• Have French Language proficiency equal to CLB Level 7
  

The work experience must be:

• At least 6 months of full-time work (or) part-time work that is equivalent to the full-time work conditions
• Must have been acquired in the past 3 years
• Professional experience must be gained in a single occupation from any qualifying Express Entry category.
   

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is an ITA in Express Entry?

An ITA, or Invitation to Apply, is an official document issued by the IRCC to Express Entry candidates with a high CRS score. Candidates who receive an ITA in the Express Entry draws have better chances of applying for permanent residency in Canada. An ITA once issued is valid for a maximum of 60 days, during which selected Express Entry candidates must submit their PR application.
 

2. Who receives ITAs in Express Entry draws?

Applicants with a high CRS score, a provincial nomination, and those who fulfil the criteria for the targeted Express Entry Draws receive ITAs in Express Entry draws. Those with high CRS scores are usually selected from the general Express Entry pool, while category-based draws target candidates from specific occupations, such as STEM, healthcare, trades, education, agriculture, and those with French-language proficiency. Applicants with a valid provincial nomination also have a greater chance of receiving an ITA, as it adds approximately 600 points to their overall CRS score.
 

3. What is the minimum CRS score required for an ITA?

There is no specific minimum CRS score to receive an ITA. The minimum CRS score required for an ITA depends on the type of Express Entry draw being held and the total number of candidates invited via the draw. You can always refer to the official website to know more about the latest Express Entry Draws and the minimum CRS scores for each.
 

4. Which categories are common in receiving ITA?

Some of the most common categories that receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) include STEM, healthcare and social services, Trades occupations, education, Agriculture and agri-food, and French-language proficiency. IRCC has been prioritizing category-based selection draws. These draws prioritize candidates based on the labour market and economic needs. Express Entry applicants with prior work experience in these categories have better chances of receiving an ITA through the category-based Express Entry Draws.
 

5. Do Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates get priority for ITAs?

Yes, candidates with a valid provincial nomination are generally prioritized for ITAs. A provincial nomination can add up to 600 points to the overall CRS score of the candidate, which can increase their chances of getting invited in an All-program Express Entry draw or a PNP-specific Express Entry Draw. Lately, IRCC has been prioritizing PNP candidates in Express Entry Draws, with a greater focus on those who fulfill Canada’s demographic and economic goals.
 

6. How often does Canada hold Express Entry draws?

Although it is not certain, Canada typically holds an Express Entry draw every two weeks. This pattern or frequency of Express Entry Draws, however, is not verified or fixed and can change based on factors such as the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool, Canada’s immigration targets, and category-based draws targeting candidates with specific skills, such as French language proficiency. The frequency of Express Entry Draws may also change in cases where technical glitches or system updates occur.
 

7. Are certain occupations more likely to receive ITAs?

Yes, certain occupations are more likely to receive an ITA to apply for Canada PR through the Express Entry system, as IRCC conducts category-based Express Entry Draws that prioritize in-demand sectors. Some of the in-demand categories generally include healthcare, STEM, Trade occupations, agriculture, education, and proficiency in the French language. Lately, IRCC has been prioritizing the Trades and Healthcare categories, issuing more ITAs for these category-based Express Entry Draws.
 

8. Can low CRS score candidates still get an ITA?

Yes, candidates with a low CRS score can still obtain an ITA through category-based Express Entry Draws by securing a provincial nomination, which adds up to 600 additional points to their CRS score, or by increasing their CRS score in factors such as language skills, work experience, and education.
 

9. How many ITAs are issued each year?

The total number of ITAs issued each year is not fixed and changes depend on factors such as annual immigration targets, any new policy changes, and category-based Express Entry Draws. Currently, IRCC has held over 35 Express Entry Draws and has issued over 65,000 ITAs to candidates under different categories.
 

10. How can I increase my chances of receiving an ITA?

You can increase your chances of receiving an ITA by improving your language skills, obtaining a provincial nomination, getting your foreign educational credentials assessed, gaining relevant work experience, and updating your Express Entry profile. To increase your chances of receiving an ITA, you can:

• Score high in language proficiency tests like IELTS, CELPIP, TEF/TCF (English or French)
• Gain Canadian work experience or foreign work experience. 
• Get a provincial nomination that can add 600 points.
• Get an ECA for your foreign degrees or pursue a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate.
• If you are applying with a spouse, you can boost your spouse’s profile (language, work experience, or education). This can add extra points to your profile.  
• Having a high TEF/TCF score can get you 50 bonus points.