The Express Entry program of Canada is an essential path for the skilled immigrants to seek their permanent residency. As of March 24, 2025, many draws have taken place, with specific requirements and results on each occasion. This review entails a close-up of the latest results and predictions of upcoming draws.
Recent Express Entry Draws in 2025
So far in the year 2025, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada has carried out numerous draws under the Express Entry program concentrating on different categories. Below is a summary of such draws:
- The first draw of the year took place on January 7, 2025, which was specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 471 Invitations to Apply were issued and had a minimum CRS score of 793.
- The following day was a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw which invited 1,350 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 542.
- It was on January 23 that another CEC draw was held, and this time around, it gave out a total of 4,000 ITAs and lowered the CRS cutoff to 527.
- Another draw on February 5, this time giving a total 4,000 invitations in the CEC stream and further lowering the CRS cutoff to 521.
- On February 19, a category-based draw specifically targeting French speakers was conducted. It issued a total of 6,500 ITAs to applicants with at least 428 CRS score.
- An invitation was sent out to 725 candidates during a PNP-specific draw on March 3, with a CRS threshold set at 667.
- The most recent draw on March 6 again selected candidates based on French-language proficiency. This time, the draw attracted 4,500 applicants and set a CRS cutoff score of 410-the lowest score, so far, recorded since August 2024.
Analysis of Trends in CRS Scores
There is a southward drift in CRS cutoff levels for the years 2025. The trend is significantly pronounced, particularly among Canadian Experience Class applicants. The cutoff dropped consistently from 542 down to 521 nearly from early January into February. The trend indicates that future draws may be below the 500-mark, depending on the next move to be taken on immigration policies.
Policy Review and Changes Affecting CRS Scores
One anticipated change in spring 2025 will eliminate the bonus CRS points for job offers linked to LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) effects. This modification may result in many applicants losing CRS score points ranging from 50 to 200, and consequently, that will lead to lower CRS cutoffs from future draws. The reason behind this change is to equalize competition and avoid over-dependence on offers backed by LMIA.
Prognosis for Future Express Entry Draws
Regarding what further predictions one would make for 2025 based on current trends and policy developments. First, the complete elimination of LMIA-related CRS points would be expected to push CRS one step down below 500 in draws Concerned about CEC applicants significantly.
Predictions for Future Express Entry Draws
Secondly, with the new “In-Canada Focus” stream, IRCC now increasingly targets nominees and applicants with Canadian work experience or education credentials. This is reflected more in the push from Canada for temporary residents to become permanent residents.
Thirdly, targeted draws for priority occupations will most likely continue. These will include draws for health care professionals, trades workers, STEM fields, and those in other labor-shortage categories.
Strategies to Enhance CRS Scores
Strategies to consider that could maximize your chance of receiving an ITA include:
- One would thus increase his or her chances of being given a CRS score beyond what is currently achievable through an average score on IELTS or CELPIP by improving language proficiency.
- Gaining more education, whether in Canada or overseas, adds valuable points to one’s Express Entry profile.
- Getting Canadian work experience, especially full-time, skilled work, gives a remarkable top-up into the CRS score under the CEC stream.
- This remains a powerful tool. Nominating a province adds 600 points to your CRS score and almost guarantees an invitation.
- Finally, remaining abreast of policy shifts in the area of immigration ensures that one can fit his or her strategies within the proactive framework as the system evolves.
Conclusion
The present Canadian labor market and economic priorities are being met through significant changes to the Express Entry system, as evident in 2025. For candidates, keeping in touch with emerging requirements given lower CRS cutoffs, more category-based draws, and high-impact policy changes ahead must be informed and adjusted.
Skills workers can maximize the opportunity available and find themselves much closer to attaining Canadian permanent residency by working on their changing profiles and keeping an eye on the trends going through.