The journey from temporary residence to permanent status in Canada has become markedly more challenging in 2025. While the principle remains that those already living and working in Canada have a strong position, the reality is that higher cut-offs, fewer general draws and more targeted selection have raised the bar for many applicants.
Overcoming Barriers
For applicants under the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) economic streams, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) thresholds have soared. Many eligible temporary residents (TRs) who hold Canadian work or study experience still fail to meet general draws. The fact that job offers in many cases no longer provide extra CRS points limits the conventional route. On the provincial side, many Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) categories that once offered broader eligibility now prioritise narrowly defined occupations, leaving general skilled-worker profiles with fewer accessible pathways.
Temporary residents must contend with timing pressures. They must maintain valid status, gain eligible work experience, improve language results, and adapt their employment trajectory, while being aware that provincial and federal streams can shift quickly. The uncertainty of when the next draw will occur, and which occupation categories will be targeted, means proactive strategizing is essential.
Category-Based Selection: More Pathways Than You Think
Although the general path has become tougher, several targeted pathways remain active. These category-based draws may provide viable alternatives if aligned closely with your experience and qualifications.
At the federal level, IRCC has introduced category-based rounds under the Express Entry system for 2025. These include categories such as strong French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services occupations, skilled trades, education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and agriculture/agri-food. Candidates in these categories may receive invitations despite CRS scores below those required in general draws.
For example, trades occupations such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, HVAC mechanics and other skilled trades are explicitly included in 2025 category-based draws. In the education category, roles including early childhood educators, elementary and secondary school teachers and instructors of persons with disabilities have been listed. The French-language proficiency category allows candidates who demonstrate strong French skills (e.g., CLB 7+ in all four abilities) to qualify even if other factors are weaker.
On the provincial side, many PNPs have streams that match occupation-specific demand. For example:
- In Ontario the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has a Skilled Trades stream and a French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream as enhanced Express Entry-aligned pathways.
- The Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream in Ontario targets health-occupations and regional economic development through immigration (REDI) draws, including lower point-threshold draws in northern or smaller communities.
- Other provinces similarly offer nomination streams for teachers, trades, healthcare professionals and tech workers (for example under the Atlantic Immigration Program or the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot). While each province’s list varies, the common feature is occupation-specific targeting.
Strategies for Applicants
Given these dynamics, TRs seeking to transition to permanent residence should adopt a highly strategic approach. Key actions include:
- Evaluate whether you meet eligibility for category-based federal draws (e.g., trades, education, French-language, STEM, agriculture) and if your work experience aligns with one of the listed categories.
- Explore provincial nomination streams and occupation-specific draws, targeting those provinces where your occupation is in demand, even if that means moving or shifting employers.
- Improve language proficiency (both English and French) to bolster eligibility and ranking; a CLB 7+ in French opens the French-language draw pathway.
- Seek employment or obtain experience in a targeted occupation (trades, health, education, tech) and document it carefully. If you are already working in Canada in one of these roles, update your records and ensure your profile reflects that.
- Maintain continuous legal status as a worker or student in Canada and monitor program updates closely; the windows for draws and eligibility can change quickly.
- Consider relocation to less-competitive regions or community-based programs (for example regional PNPs, REDI streams) where you might face fewer competing profiles and thus better odds.
So Can it be Done?
The transition from temporary to permanent residence in 2025 is more complex than in previous years. High CRS cut-offs, reduced weight for job offers and a heavier reliance on targeted occupation streams mean that general paths are less accessible for many TRs. However, by understanding the category-based draws at both the federal and provincial level, and aligning your work, language and location strategy accordingly, you can achieve your goal of permanent residence in Canada.
Elliott Immigration can help map out your optimal pathway. We assess your current status, identify which category-based draws you may qualify for, target PNP streams aligned with your occupation, and help you build your profile (including language, work history and location strategy) so you are well-positioned when the invitations are issued.
The system is more demanding, but the opportunities are still there. With thoughtful planning and timely action you can move from temporary residence to permanent status in Canada with confidence.
Elliott Immigration Corporation is Here to Help You
