IRCC’s Express Entry strategy for 2025: Key insights from ATIP notes

A recently released internal memo, shared through ATIP notes by Mandeep Lidher, offers a rare glimpse into Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) plans for Express Entry draws this year.

The document confirms that IRCC is prioritizing Francophone immigration, with 18,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued early in the year to reach an 8.5% target outside Quebec.

Beyond that, clear quotas have been set for Healthcare (8,000 ITAs), Trades (3,300 ITAs), and Education (3,000 ITAs). The memo also indicates that general draws will continue to alternate with category-based rounds, with Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates likely facing CRS cut-offs in the high 500s.

Healthcare and Trades are expected to feature heavily in upcoming draws, while Education will emerge as a new category of focus. With many Francophone applicants already invited, the pace of French-language draws may slow, and processing delays later in 2025 remain a possibility.

#CanadaImmigration, #ExpressEntry, #IRCC, #ATIP, #immigration_news, #francophone_immigration, #healthcare_Canada, #skilled_trades_Canada, #education_draws

The Federal Government boosts Francophone immigration despite overall cuts, targeting 12% by 2029

The Federal Government boosts Francophone immigration despite overall cuts, targeting 12% by 2029 As Canada implements significant reductions in immigration levels, the Federal Government is making a notable exception for French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has raised the francophone immigration target to an ambitious 12% of all permanent residents admitted outside Quebec by 2029, up from the previous 4.4% goal that took 19 years to achieve.

This strategic initiative aims to counter the declining demographic weight of francophone communities, which has dropped from 6.1% in 1971 to 3.5% in 2021.

While overall permanent resident admissions will be limited to 395,000 in 2025, the government is actively promoting francophone immigration through specialized programs and express entry draws for French speakers.

#francophone_immigration, #french_speaking_communities, #immigration_targets

Canada’s Start-Up Visa program faces record-high delays and refusals in 2025

Canada's Start-Up Visa (SUV) program is experiencing unprecedented challenges with processing times reaching 52 months and refusal rates soaring to 73-85% in Q1 2025. Despite being eligible for work permits while awaiting permanent residence decisions, 77% of these applications are now being rejected. As the Federal Government reduces annual spots from 5,000 to just 1,000 by 2027, experts warn that legitimate entrepreneurs may choose competing markets, such as London or Dubai. Industry stakeholders are calling for comprehensive reform, including a potential return to investor programs and implementation of a point-based ranking system. #canada_immigration, #start_up_visa_program, #business_immigration, #entrepreneur_visa, #processing_delays, #permanent_residence, #tech_startups, #suv, #investor_programs, #visa_refusals

Yukon boosts immigration opportunities: 67 additional nominee program allocations announced for 2025

The Government of Yukon has secured 67 additional allocations for the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, increasing the total to 282 positions for 2025.

This expansion, resulting from successful advocacy efforts, enables the territory to issue 80 new invitations to employers from the Expression of Interest pool.

Priority candidates include long-term Yukon residents, university graduates, French speakers, and recipients of support letters from the Yukon government.

Ten allocations remain reserved for regulated healthcare positions until September 30, after which they will be redistributed to ensure full utilization of all available slots.

#yukon_nominee_program, #canada_immigration, #ynp_2025, #yukon_employment, #immigration_canada, #foreign_workers