A newly released report has shed light on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) invitation schedule for Express Entry draws through the remainder of 2025. The information, obtained via an Access to Information Request (ATIP) by Calgary-based immigration consultant Mandeep Lidher, outlines how invitations to apply (ITAs) will be distributed across category-based draws.
The report shows that IRCC intends to issue a significant number of ITAs in the final months of the year to ensure the government’s 2026 immigration targets are met under the Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027. While healthcare has already dominated the year with 7,500 of 8,000 ITAs issued, other categories such as trades and education are expected to see more activity. So far, 1,000 of the 3,000 planned ITAs for education have been issued, leaving 2,000 still to come. In the trades category, none of the 3,300 planned invitations have yet been released, suggesting multiple upcoming draws focused on skilled trades.
The ATIP also confirms that six categories remain central to Express Entry in 2025: healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, agriculture and agri-food, education, and French-language proficiency. Earlier this year, Francophone immigration played a major role, with 18,500 invitations issued between February and March during French-language draws, as Ottawa works to reach its target of 8.5 per cent French-speaking admissions outside Quebec. Another French-proficiency draw on August 8 issued 2,500 invitations, believed to be contributing toward 2026 levels.
To improve coordination, the report notes that IRCC will share a three-month ITA calendar with provinces and territories, providing details on the expected weeks of draws, the type of round, and projected minimum scores. Officials say this will help provinces better plan their nomination strategies while aligning with federal immigration priorities.
The calendar suggests Canadians can expect several more rounds of invitations before year’s end, particularly for skilled trades and education candidates who have yet to see their full share of invitations issued.