Hi, How Can We Help You?
  • Email: info@eseumohimmigration.com

Tag Archives: #ExpressEntry

June 24, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Canada has invited 503 skilled workers to apply for permanent residency through its Express Entry system, in a draw held on June 23, 2025. This draw focused on candidates who had received a provincial nomination, meaning they were selected by a Canadian province or territory to help fill local job needs.

See below key details of the Draw:

  • Date: June 23, 2025

  • Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

  • Invitations Issued: 503

  • Minimum CRS Score Required: 742

  • Profile Deadline: Submitted before May 30, 2025

The high CRS score (742) reflects the extra 600 points given to candidates who receive a provincial nomination. This boost often guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
June 23 Provincial Nominee Program 503 742
June 12 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

So far, IRCC has granted a total of 38,845 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in 2025.

Recent PNP Draws in June 2025

So far in June, Canada has held three PNP-only draws:

Date Invitations CRS Cut-Off
June 2, 2025 277 726
June 10, 2025 125 784
June 23, 2025 503 742

This trend shows that PNP draws are currently a major part of Canada’s immigration plan.

The June 23 draw highlights how important the PNP route is for skilled workers hoping to move to Canada. If you’re in the Express Entry pool and haven’t yet explored provincial options, now is a great time to do so.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

June 13, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on June 12, 2025, exclusively for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates.

See below details of latest Express Entry Draw:

  • Category: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Number of ITAs Issued: 3,000
  • CRS Score Cut-Off: 529
  • Date of Draw: June 12, 2025
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: September 28, 2024

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) targets individuals with a minimum of one year of skilled work experience in Canada, offering a well-used route for temporary residents, like international students and foreign workers, to obtain permanent residency.

See below all CEC Express Entry Draws in 2025

Date Round type Invitations issued CRS cutoff
June 12, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
May 13, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
February 5, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
January 23, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542

See below summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
June 12 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

Eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Canadian Work Experience

  • Candidates need to have completed at least one year of full-time skilled employment in Canada (or an equivalent amount of part-time work, totaling 1,560 hours) within the past three years.

  • The work must fall under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3, which cover management, professional, technical, and skilled trades positions.

  • Part-time employment is acceptable as long as the total hours meet the required threshold (e.g., 15 hours per week over two years).

  • Self-employed work and jobs completed while studying full-time (like co-op placements) are not eligible.

2. Language Requirements

  • For jobs classified under TEER 0 or 1, a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 is required (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 in each skill area for English).

  • For TEER 2 or 3 positions, a minimum of CLB 5 is necessary.

  • Acceptable language tests include IELTS, CELPIP (for English), or TEF and TCF (for French).

3. Residency and Work Authorization

  • Applicants must have had valid temporary resident status and proper authorization to work in Canada while gaining their required work experience (such as holding a work permit).

  • While applications can be submitted from inside or outside Canada, this pathway primarily targets those with direct Canadian work experience.

4. Express Entry Pool Registration

  • Candidates must create a profile in the Express Entry system and meet or exceed the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score threshold in a relevant draw.

  • There is no fixed minimum CRS score for receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), as cut-off scores can vary with each draw.

5. Additional Considerations

  • There is no mandatory education requirement to apply under the CEC, but higher education levels can significantly improve an applicant’s CRS score.

  • Candidates must be admissible to Canada, meaning they cannot have medical issues or criminal records that would prevent entry.

Looking to take the next leap in your immigration journey?

Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

June 10, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a targeted Express Entry draw today, June 10, 2025, issuing 125 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This round was limited exclusively to candidates with a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination.

See below details of latest Express Entry Draw

  • Category: Provincial Nominee Program
  • Date and time: June 10, 2025
  • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 784
  • Number of invitations issued: 125
  • Tie-breaking rule: September 12, 2024

See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

So far in 2025, IRCC has already granted 35,342 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.

The Express Entry draw held today is the third one this month. It came after the second draw targeting healthcare and social services occupations on June 4, as well as a PNP-specific draw conducted on June 2. These draws represent the first three rounds since Lena Diab assumed her role as the new Immigration Minister.

See below latest CRS Score distribution in the pool

CRS score range Number of candidates as of June 9 Candidates (June 1) Change
601-1200 102 274 -172
501-600 24,823 24,650 +173
451-500 76,090 75,330 +760
491-500 13,101 12,906 +195
481-490 13,366 13,145 +221
471-480 17,093 16,866 +227
461-470 17,077 17,027 +50
451-460 15,453 15,386 +67
401-450 71,668 71,068 +600
441-450 14,911 14,768 +143
431-440 15,614 15,490 +124
421-430 14,211 14,089 +122
411-420 14,026 13,850 +176
401-410 12,906 12,871 +35
351-400 53,926 53,714 +212
301-350 21,705 21,682 +23
0-300 8,339 8,312 +27
Total 256,653 255,030 +1,623

Throughout this year, the majority of Express Entry draws have been aimed at PNP candidates. The remaining invitations have gone to candidates within the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), individuals demonstrating French-language proficiency, and applicants from Express Entry’s designated priority categories:

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 10
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 4
French-language proficiency 3
Healthcare and social services 2
Education 1

Require assistance with crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

June 5, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has sent out 500 invitations to apply for permanent residence through its Express Entry system. This specific draw focused on candidates with experience in healthcare and social services jobs.

See below draw details:

  • Draw Date: June 4, 2025
  • Category: Healthcare and Social Service Occupations
  • Number of invitations: 500
  • CRS Cutoff Score: 504
  • Tie-breaking Rule: March 31, 2025

See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

The smaller number of invitations in this and recent draws reflects Canada’s updated Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027. The plan focuses on bringing in skilled workers who match the country’s job market needs.

For 2025, Canada has lowered its immigration target to 395,000 permanent residents. The IRCC is now giving priority to applicants with provincial nominations, work experience in Canada, or strong French language skills.

If a candidate doesn’t receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within one year, they can submit a new Express Entry profile, as long as they still meet the eligibility criteria. The new profile will have a fresh submission timestamp, which could affect selection due to IRCC’s tie-breaking rule used in draws.

After receiving an ITA, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Once submitted, the government aims to process the application within six months, starting from the day it’s received until a final decision is made.

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

June 3, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On June 2, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its 348th Express Entry draw, focusing exclusively on candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 277 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 726.

See below key details of the Draw:

  • Draw Date: June 2, 2025

  • Draw Number: 348

  • Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

  • Number of ITAs Issued: 277

  • Minimum CRS Score: 726

  • Tie-breaking Rule: September 24, 2024

This draw continues the trend of program-specific invitations, allowing provinces to address their unique labor market needs by nominating candidates who meet specific regional requirements. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA in subsequent draws.

See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

Canada’s Express Entry system manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs:

  1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

  2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

  3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Additionally, the system accommodates candidates nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), allowing provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and are interested in settling in a particular province.

What This Means for Future Immigrants:

The focus on PNP candidates in this draw underscores the importance of provincial nominations in the Express Entry system. Candidates aiming to enhance their CRS scores and improve their chances of receiving an ITA should consider exploring provincial nomination opportunities aligned with their skills and experience.

Do you require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

May 14, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On May 13, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finally held an Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program after a long wait of more than three months.

Another surprise was the low number of invitations issued. Only 500 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in this draw, which is a very small figure compared to past draws.

See below details of the CEC Express Entry Draw On May 13

  • Category/Program: Canadian Experience Class
  • Date and time: May 13, 2025
  • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 547
  • Number of invitations issued: 500
  • Rank needed: 500 or above
  • Tie-breaking rule: May 21, 2024

The good news is that the CEC draw has resumed. This gives a fresh chance for candidates with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency. However, the not-so-good news is that the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score jumped to 547. This is the highest CRS score seen so far in 2025, making it much harder for many candidates to qualify.

See below details of all CEC Express Entry Draw in 2025

Date Round type Invitations issued CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
May 13, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
February 5, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
January 23, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8, 2025 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542

This May 13 draw marks the fourth Express Entry draw of the month. Earlier in May, IRCC held two draws focused on specific job categories—healthcare and education—as well as a draw for candidates nominated by provinces under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

See below CRS Score Distribution in the pool as of May 13

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 28
501-600 22,435
451-500 73,741
491-500 12,429
481-490 12,704
471-480 16,641
461-470 16,691
451-460 15,276
401-450 69,673
441-450 14,439
431-440 15,241
421-430 13,718
411-420 13,589
401-410 12,686
351-400 53,684
301-350 22,069
0-300 8,452
Total 250,082

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 34,440 ITAs through the Express Entry system. While that number sounds promising overall, the high CRS score and low invitation count in the latest CEC draw show that the path to Canadian permanent residency is still highly competitive.

Need Help with Your Canadian Immigration Journey?

Whether you’re looking to:

  • Apply for a visitor visa
  • Submit a work permit or visa application
  • Create an Expression of Interest
  • Set up your Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program profile
  • Prepare your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply
  • Or just want a professional review of your self-prepared application

—we’ve got you covered!

Book a consultation today or reach out to us at info@eseumohimmigration.com. Let’s make your move to Canada smoother and stress-free!

May 13, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On May 12, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the details of the third Express Entry draw for the month in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw..

In this round, 511 candidates received invitations to apply, provided they had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 706.

See below details of latest Express Entry Draw of May 12, 2025

  • Category/Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  • CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate: 706
  • Number of ITAs Issued: 511
  • Rank Required: 511 or above
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: March 4, 2025

See below summary of Express Entry Draws so far in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

Express Entry has served as Canada’s main system for managing applications from skilled workers, aimed at addressing the country’s labour market requirements.

See below CRS Score Distribution in the pool as at May 12

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 513
501-600 22,316
451-500 73,582
491-500 12,399
481-490 12,663
471-480 16,612
461-470 16,663
451-460 15,245
401-450 69,467
441-450 14,401
431-440 15,200
421-430 13,675
411-420 13,552
401-410 12,639
351-400 53,598
301-350 22,051
0-300 8,442
Total 249,969

Understanding How Express Entry Invitations Are Issued

Canada’s Express Entry system follows a clear, step-by-step approach when inviting individuals to apply for permanent residency.

Here’s how the process generally unfolds:

  • Type of Draw Chosen: First, immigration officials decide what kind of draw will take place—whether it’s open to all candidates, limited to a specific program, or focused on a particular category like job type or language skills.

  • Number of Invitations: A target number of candidates is set, based on current immigration goals.

  • Candidate Selection: Profiles in the Express Entry pool are ranked by score, and those with the highest points who meet the criteria for that draw are chosen.

  • Invitations Sent Out: Selected applicants receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. From there, they have 60 days to submit a complete application.

What Affects Each Draw?

A few key factors shape how each round of invitations plays out:

  • Immigration Goals: Canada plans to welcome close to 400,000 newcomers each year, with a large portion coming through Express Entry.

  • Workforce Demands: Sometimes, draws are tailored to specific industries or skill sets needed in the country.

  • CRS Score Thresholds: The minimum score needed to receive an ITA can vary depending on how many candidates are in the pool and the type of draw being held.

Need Help with Your Canadian Immigration Journey?

Whether you’re looking to:

  • Apply for a visitor visa
  • Submit a work permit or visa application
  • Create an Expression of Interest
  • Set up your Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program profile
  • Prepare your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply
  • Or just want a professional review of your self-prepared application

—we’ve got you covered!

Book a consultation today or reach out to us at info@eseumohimmigration.com. Let’s make your move to Canada smoother and stress-free!

April 29, 2025

Dear future neighbour,​

On April 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its most recent Express Entry draw, issuing 421 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

See below details of the April 28 Draw

  • Draw Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

  • Number of ITAs Issued: 421

  • Minimum CRS Score Required: 727

  • Date of Draw: April 28, 2025

  • Tie-breaking Rule: 9 September 2024

This draw marks the second PNP-specific round in April, following an earlier draw on April 14, which invited 825 candidates with a higher minimum CRS score of 764 . The decrease in the CRS cut-off score reflects the broader impact of recent policy changes on the Express Entry system.

See below summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

Impact of CRS Adjustments

In March 2025, IRCC eliminated the additional CRS points previously awarded for arranged employment supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This policy shift led to a significant drop in CRS scores for many candidates, with reductions ranging from 50 to 200 points . The change aims to level the playing field for applicants without job offers, emphasizing other factors such as language proficiency, education, and work experience.

Overview of Express Entry Draws in 2025

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 31,929 ITAs through various Express Entry draws. These include category-based selections focusing on French language proficiency and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Notably, a draw on March 21 invited 7,500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 379, highlighting IRCC’s commitment to attracting French-speaking immigrants.​

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

April 15, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On April 14, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new round of invitations through the Express Entry system, targeting candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

See below details of latest Express Entry Draw:

Date: April 14, 2025
Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Number of Invitations: 825
Lowest CRS Score Invited: 764
Tie-Breaking Rule: August 17, 2024

This latest draw marks the first one for April and follows a series of notable developments in Canada’s immigration landscape. It comes shortly after the March 21 category-based selection for French-speaking candidates, and the March 17 PNP-specific draw. Importantly, it is also the first draw since the removal of CRS points previously awarded for arranged employment—a change that may significantly impact the scores and competitiveness of candidates in the pool.

See below details of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

So far in 2025, Canada has issued 31,508 ITAs through Express Entry. According to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government aims to admit 124,680 new permanent residents via Express Entry this year.

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 25, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

In an important update for potential immigrants, Canada has announced that, effective March 25, 2025, candidates applying through the Express Entry system will no longer receive extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This change was confirmed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024.

Why the Change?

Previously, candidates with a valid LMIA-backed job offer can earn up to 200 additional CRS points, depending on the type of job. These bonus points have often helped candidates secure Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. However, the Canadian government has decided to remove these points to increase fairness in the immigration system and reduce the potential for fraud.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, explained that removing the bonus points will discourage candidates from buying LMIAs to boost their CRS scores, ultimately creating a more transparent process.

How Will This Affect Candidates?

The decision to eliminate these bonus points will have an impact on both new and existing candidates in the Express Entry pool. Those with LMIA-supported job offers will see their CRS scores drop, which could lower their chances of receiving an ITA. On the other hand, candidates without an LMIA-backed job offer may have a better chance as the overall CRS score distribution adjusts.

For example, candidates who have been relying on a job offer to boost their points will need to focus on strengthening other areas of their profile to stay competitive.

What Other Areas Can Applicants Look At?

Without the LMIA-based points, candidates will need to explore other ways to improve their CRS scores. Candidates are assigned a score out of 1200 based on various factors, including:

  • Age: Younger candidates generally score higher, as younger applicants are seen as having a longer potential work life.

  • Education: Higher levels of education, like a master’s degree or doctorate, contribute to a stronger CRS score.

  • Language proficiency: Improving your language test results, such as IELTS or CELPIP, can add significant points.

  • Work experience: Relevant work experience, especially Canadian experience, adds valuable points to your CRS score.

Additional factors through which candidates can score extra points include:

  • French language skills: Candidates with proficiency in French can earn extra points, especially if they are bilingual.

  • Post-secondary education in Canada: Having completed studies at a Canadian institution can add extra points to your profile.

  • Having a sibling living in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident: This factor can give applicants additional CRS points if they have a close family connection in the country.

  • Provincial/territorial nomination: A provincial or territorial nomination can award 600 points, significantly increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Looking Ahead

While this change may pose a challenge for some applicants, it opens up new opportunities for others and ensures that the system remains equitable for all.

Candidates applying through Express Entry should begin reviewing their profiles and consider strengthening other aspects to adapt to the new system.

Do you require assistance with crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com