By Admin, #OasisVisas 
A newly released report sheds light on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) strategy for issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry in the coming months.
According to the document, draws will continue to focus on key categories such as education, healthcare and social services, and skilled trades. The plan is structured to align with Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, with many of the invitations issued later this year expected to support next year’s admission targets.
The information was disclosed through an Access to Information Request (ATIP) obtained by Calgary-based Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Mandeep Lidher.
Allocation of Category-Based Invitations
Category-based draws, first launched in 2023, were introduced to prioritize candidates with skills in high-demand sectors. The ATIP outlines specific allocations for this year:
| Category | Planned ITAs | Issued so far | Remaining in 2025 |
| Education | 3,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Healthcare | 8,000 | 7,500 | 500 |
| Trades | 3,300 | 0 | 3,300 |
The data suggests that multiple rounds of category-based draws are still expected before the end of the year.
Categories in Focus
In total, six categories are part of IRCC’s Express Entry system for this year:
- Healthcare and social services
- STEM occupations
- Trades
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Education
- French-language proficiency
Francophone Immigration Push
The report highlights the government’s continued effort to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec. Earlier this year, IRCC held a series of French-proficiency draws between February and March, issuing 18,500 ITAs to advance its goal of reaching an 8.5% French-speaking admissions target.
Another French-language draw took place on August 8, where 2,500 ITAs were issued. These invitations are expected to contribute toward 2026 targets.
Coordination With Provinces and Territories
The ATIP also reveals that IRCC will share an ITA calendar with provinces and territories. This calendar will provide a three-month outlook, including the expected weeks for upcoming draws, round types, and projected minimum CRS scores. The move aims to help provincial and territorial governments better plan their nomination strategies and ensure smoother coordination with federal immigration goals.