Major Immigration Update: IRCC Invites 7,500 Candidates Through Express Entry This Week!

In a significant move for aspiring immigrants, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unleashed a wave of invitations to apply (ITAs) through its Express Entry system. This latest round, which took place on March 21, 2025, saw the issuance of 7,500 ITAs, focusing on candidates with French language proficiency.

To qualify for this draw, participants needed to possess a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 379 and had to have created their Express Entry profiles by 2:53 am Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on March 6, 2025. Remarkably, this cut-off score is the lowest recorded in any Express Entry draw since February 29, 2024, opening doors for a broader range of candidates.

Express Entry Draw Summary - March 2025:

March 21: French Language Proficiency - 7,500 ITAs, CRS 379

March 17: Provincial Nominee Program - 536 ITAs, CRS 736

March 6: French Language Proficiency - 4,500 ITAs, CRS 410

March 3: Provincial Nominee Program - 725 ITAs, CRS 667

February 19: French Language Proficiency - 6,500 ITAs, CRS 428

February 17: Provincial Nominee Program - 646 ITAs, CRS 750

February 5: Canadian Experience Class - 4,000 ITAs, CRS 521

January 23: Canadian Experience Class - 4,000 ITAs, CRS 527

January 8: Canadian Experience Class - 1,350 ITAs, CRS 542

January 7: Provincial Nominee Program - 471 ITAs, CRS 793

This current draw marks the fourth of the month and the second this week, following the Provincial Nominee Program draw on March 17 and yet another previous draw focusing on French-language proficiency. In total, IRCC has now issued 30,683 ITAs to candidates in 2025 alone.

A key takeaway from recent trends is IRCC's increasing focus on prioritizing in-Canada candidates for permanent residence applications, a policy that aligns with long-standing advocacy from Canada's new Immigration Minister, Rachel Bendayan.

What’s Next for Candidates?

For those currently in the Express Entry pool, it’s important to remember that profiles remain valid for up to one year. After a year, if candidates want to continue in the selection pool, they must submit a new Express Entry profile. This process will require candidates to retain their previous information for ease of application, highlighting the competitive nature of the immigration landscape.

Additionally, candidates should be aware of the tie-breaking rule, which dictates that only those who submitted their profiles before the designated cut-off time will be considered for an ITA. This condition underscores the importance of timely and strategic submission in the competitive Express Entry environment.

As economic and demographic needs continue to shape Canada’s immigration policies, this latest wave of ITAs could be a turning point for many hopeful immigrants. Don’t miss your chance! Stay tuned for more updates on Express Entry trends and opportunities!