New Report Reveals Who’s Succeeding in Canada’s Express Entry Pathway to Permanent Residence
A newly released federal immigration report offers fresh insight into which candidates are most successful in securing Canadian permanent residence (PR) through the Express Entry system — and the findings reveal a surprising truth: foreign work experience is now a stronger differentiator than Canadian experience.
The report, published on November 3, 2025, analyzed Express Entry trends throughout 2024, highlighting shifts in candidate profiles, selection priorities, and labour market outcomes. It found that while the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) continued to dominate in the number of invitations issued, over one-third of all successful candidates had never worked in Canada before applying.
Key Takeaways from the 2024 Express Entry Data
- Total Invitations Issued (ITAs): 98,903
- Top Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – 26,500 ITAs (27%)
- Top Citizenship: India – 43,004 ITAs (43%)
- Top Occupations: Software Engineers, Food Service Supervisors, and Nurses
- Top Language Category: French Proficiency – 23,000 ITAs (23%)
- Average CRS Scores: Range between 409 and 725, depending on category
Canadian Experience Class Leads, but Foreign Experience Gains Prominence
While CEC candidates continued to dominate with 26,500 ITAs, representing 27% of all invitations in 2024, the report revealed that foreign experience alone remained a major advantage.
Only 1% of invited candidates lacked foreign work experience, while 34% had no Canadian work experience at all.
This trend underscores that strong international experience, combined with competitive language scores, can still result in success under Canada’s point-based immigration system.
“Candidates with both Canadian and foreign experience were the most competitive,” the report notes, highlighting how diverse skill backgrounds enhance eligibility and adaptability for Canada’s evolving job market.
Express Entry Program Breakdown for 2024
| Draw Type | Average CRS Cut-off | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 524 | 26,500 |
| French Language Proficiency | 409 | 23,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 15,483 |
| General (All-Program) | 536 | 14,445 |
| Healthcare Occupations | 443 | 10,250 |
| STEM Occupations | 491 | 4,500 |
| Trade Occupations | 435 | 3,600 |
| Transport Occupations | 430 | 975 |
| Agriculture & Agri-Food | 437 | 150 |
| Total | — | 98,903 |
Shift in 2025: French-Speaking Candidates on the Rise
The report indicates that by November 2025, French-language proficiency draws have overtaken all other categories, accounting for 36,000 ITAs — a major increase from 23,000 in 2024.
These draws also continue to feature some of the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores, reflecting Canada’s effort to attract Francophone talent and strengthen bilingual representation across provinces outside Quebec.
Meanwhile, healthcare and social services draws have surged, issuing nearly 9,800 ITAs so far in 2025 — a sign of ongoing demand for essential workers post-pandemic.
Foreign Experience: The Winning Factor
While Canadian experience continues to boost competitiveness, the report confirms that foreign work experience is equally, if not more, critical for Express Entry success.
- 56% of invitees had two years or less of Canadian work experience.
- 34% had none at all, relying solely on foreign experience.
- Only 1% lacked foreign work experience entirely.
This shows that candidates who combine international expertise with strong language skills and education credentials are well-positioned to secure invitations.
Top Professions Dominating Express Entry Invitations
The most common occupations among successful candidates included both STEM and service roles, suggesting that Canada continues to welcome both high-tech and essential-service professionals.
| Top Occupations | TEER Level | ITAs Issued (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineers & Designers | 1 | 3,715 |
| Food Service Supervisors | 2 | 3,608 |
| Software Developers & Programmers | 1 | 3,142 |
| Administrative Assistants | 3 | 2,669 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 1 | 2,136 |
| Registered Nurses & Family Physicians | 1 | 3,617 (combined) |
Notably, STEM fields accounted for the highest share, with healthcare following closely. However, 66% of all ITAs were still issued to “other occupations,” emphasizing that overall human capital factors (education, age, language) remain the strongest selection drivers.
Where the Invitations Went: A Global Snapshot
By Country of Residence
| Country | ITAs (2024) |
|---|---|
| Canada | 67,817 |
| Cameroon | 8,999 |
| India | 3,104 |
| Nigeria | 3,088 |
| Morocco | 1,770 |
| Algeria | 1,621 |
By Country of Citizenship
| Country | ITAs (2024) |
|---|---|
| India | 43,004 |
| Cameroon | 10,141 |
| Nigeria | 6,696 |
| China | 3,689 |
| Philippines | 2,561 |
| Morocco | 2,227 |
India remains the top source country for the third consecutive year, with over four times more invitations than any other nation.
However, Francophone African countries — including Cameroon, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire — are rapidly gaining ground due to category-based French draws and Canada’s Francophone immigration strategy.
Policy Implications: Canada’s Express Entry Evolves
The data reflects a broader policy shift toward diversity and balance — rewarding both local and international experience.
By expanding category-based draws and targeting French-speaking and skilled foreign workers, IRCC aims to ensure that immigration continues to address labour shortages while promoting linguistic and regional diversity.
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