US Halts Immigration: Explore Canada’s Express Entry as an Option
Canada’s Express Entry System: A Beacon for High-Risk Nationals Amid US Immigration Freeze
In a strategic move on December 2, 2025, the Trump administration halted the processing of immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries deemed "high risk." This pause affects individuals from nations such as Haiti, Somalia, and Venezuela, placing their green card applications in an indeterminate limbo. As the United States closes its doors for now, Canada presents an attractive alternative for skilled workers through its robust Express Entry system.
Express Entry: A Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency
Canada’s Express Entry system stands as a welcoming gateway for skilled immigrants worldwide, unaffected by nationality-based restrictions. The system is designed to attract professionals who can contribute to Canada’s economy, offering a streamlined, merit-based process to obtain permanent residency (PR).
Understanding Express Entry’s Mechanisms
The Express Entry system encompasses three main immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). To embark on this pathway, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile and become part of the candidate pool. Their eligibility is determined by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. The highest-ranking candidates are periodically invited to apply for PR.
Category-Based Draws: A Tailored Approach
In 2025, Canada has increasingly relied on category-based draws, focusing on specific occupational skills and language proficiency that align with the nation’s economic goals. These categories include healthcare, STEM fields, trades, agriculture, education, and French-language proficiency. Notably, these draws often have lower CRS cut-off scores, enhancing accessibility for many candidates.
The success of this approach is evident, with 60,250 out of 94,476 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in 2025 through category-based draws. Additionally, the introduction of new categories in 2026, such as leadership and management, research and academia, and military personnel, promises further opportunities.
Real-World Success Stories
Consider Cenalia, a Libyan secondary school teacher with a solid educational background and excellent English skills. Despite lacking Canadian work experience, her CRS score of 489 positioned her favorably for Canada’s education-focused draws. Similarly, Khin, a cybersecurity specialist from Myanmar, boasts a CRS score of 535, qualifying him for French-language proficiency draws thanks to his multilingual abilities and advanced education.
Conclusion: A Welcoming Alternative
As the United States imposes restrictions, Canada’s Express Entry system emerges as a beacon of opportunity for skilled workers worldwide. With its inclusive, merit-based approach and focus on specific occupational needs, Canada continues to affirm its status as a global leader in welcoming and integrating immigrants into its thriving economy. For high-risk nationals seeking a fresh start, Canada offers not just a viable alternative but a promising pathway to a brighter future.
Waiting on Your Immigration Application?
GCMS (Global Case Management System) is the system used by IRCC to track and process all immigration and visa files. GCMS notes include detailed updates, officer comments, and reasons for decisions.
If you’re unsure about your application status, apply GCMS notes to see what’s happening behind the scenes. It’s the most reliable way to understand your file.
