IRCC Makes History With First-Ever Education Category Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made history with its first-ever draw focusing on the new education category. This category, announced in February 2025, is the latest addition to IRCC's economic priorities. The draw, held on October 1, 2025, is also the first Express Entry selection following Canada's recent national election.
The draw, which took place on October 1, 2025, saw 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to candidates under the new education category. This is a significant milestone, as it marks the first candidate selection under this category through the Express Entry system. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 479.
The education category was first announced in February 2025, and it has quickly become a focus of IRCC's economic priorities. This draw is a testament to the government's commitment to attracting skilled immigrants with a focus on education. As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 32,929 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025.
Candidates who were eligible for this draw had to have created an Express Entry profile before 10:35 a.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on August 10, 2024. More information on the occupations included within this category can be found on IRCC's official website.
The first education category draw through the Express Entry system is a significant step forward in Canada's immigration policy. With 1,000 ITAs issued, this draw signals IRCC's commitment to attracting highly skilled immigrants with a focus on education. As Canada continues to welcome newcomers, the education category is set to play a crucial role in shaping its future workforce.
