As we step into May 2025, Canada’s Express Entry landscape is revealing some important shifts. With a dramatic slowdown in draw activity during April and changes in score distributions across the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), this is a pivotal moment for skilled workers evaluating their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at:
- The Express Entry draws that took place in April 2025
- The CRS score distribution across the candidate pool
- How your CRS score ranks against other applicants
- What these trends mean for your permanent residency strategy
Let’s dive into the current state of the Express Entry pool and what it might mean for your immigration journey.
What Happened in April 2025?
Following a strong start to the year with 11 draws held from January to March, April saw a significant slowdown in Express Entry activity.
Draw Summary – April 2025
| Draw Number | Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 342 | April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 825 | 764 |
| 343 | April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 421 | 727 |
Only 1,246 ITAs were issued across these two PNP-specific draws. This figure represents a dramatic drop from March, when 13,261 invitations were issued across multiple draw types including Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and French-language proficiency.
Monthly ITA Totals for 2025
| Month | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| January | 5,821 |
| February | 11,601 |
| March | 13,261 |
| April | 1,246 |
April’s numbers are more aligned with pre-pandemic draw volumes, such as May 2022, which also featured two PNP draws totaling around 1,135 ITAs.
Absence of CEC and French-Language Draws
Despite the February 27 IRCC announcement that Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates would be prioritized throughout 2025, no CEC-specific draws have occurred since February 5.
Similarly, French-language proficiency draws—which were frequent in Q1—have not been conducted since March. This shift suggests a temporary rebalancing of priorities, with a heavy tilt toward PNP candidates.
What Is the Current Distribution of CRS Scores?
As of April 27, 2025, there are 246,673 active candidate profiles in the Express Entry pool. Here’s how those candidates are distributed by CRS score range:
CRS Score Distribution – April 27, 2025
| CRS Score Range | Candidates |
|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,566 |
| 301–350 | 22,553 |
| 351–400 | 53,640 |
| 401–410 | 12,469 |
| 411–420 | 13,274 |
| 421–430 | 13,385 |
| 431–440 | 14,909 |
| 441–450 | 14,230 |
| 451–460 | 14,964 |
| 461–470 | 16,313 |
| 471–480 | 16,411 |
| 481–490 | 12,544 |
| 491–500 | 12,291 |
| 501–600 | 20,708 |
| 601–1200 | 416 |
| Total | 246,673 |
Key Insight:
Since the beginning of March, the number of candidates has increased in all CRS bands up to 471–480, while higher bands (481 and above) have shrunk.
Why Are Fewer Candidates in the Higher CRS Bands?
The drop in high-scoring candidates (481+) can be linked to IRCC’s March 25, 2025 decision to eliminate CRS points for arranged employment. Previously, candidates could gain 50 or 200 points for qualifying job offers. Without those boosts, fewer candidates can now break into the top scoring tiers.
This policy change has made language skills, Canadian education, and work experience more critical than ever for CRS optimization.
Also Read: What the 2025 Canada’s Liberal Party Government Means for Canada’s Immigration Policy
How Does Your CRS Score Rank in the Pool?
Here’s how your score stacks up against others using percentile ranges, based on the April 27 snapshot of the Express Entry pool.
CRS Percentile Ranking – April 2025
| CRS Range | Percentile Range | % of Total Pool |
|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 0 – 3.47% | 3.47% |
| 301–350 | 3.47% – 12.62% | 9.14% |
| 351–400 | 12.62% – 34.36% | 21.75% |
| 401–410 | 34.36% – 39.42% | 5.05% |
| 411–420 | 39.42% – 44.80% | 5.38% |
| 421–430 | 44.80% – 50.22% | 5.43% |
| 431–440 | 50.22% – 56.27% | 6.04% |
| 441–450 | 56.27% – 62.04% | 5.77% |
| 451–460 | 62.04% – 68.10% | 6.07% |
| 461–470 | 68.10% – 74.72% | 6.61% |
| 471–480 | 74.72% – 81.37% | 6.65% |
| 481–490 | 81.37% – 86.45% | 5.09% |
| 491–500 | 86.45% – 91.44% | 4.98% |
| 501–600 | 91.44% – 99.83% | 8.39% |
| 601–1200 | 99.83% – 100% | 0.17% |
If your score is above 471, you’re currently in the top 19% of all Express Entry candidates.
What Does This Mean for You?
1. High CRS Scores Remain Critical
With cut-off scores for PNP draws in April hitting 727 and 764, candidates need either a provincial nomination or an exceptionally high CRS score (likely above 500) to receive an ITA.
2. Category-Based Draws Could Return
The first draw of May, targeting education professionals, signals a return to priority-based selections. We may soon see more CEC and French-language draws, especially as IRCC adjusts to changing labour market demands.
3. Now Is the Time to Boost Your CRS Score
Whether you’re waiting in the pool or preparing your profile, consider:
- Retaking your IELTS/CELPIP for a higher language score
- Completing additional Canadian education or certification
- Gaining eligible work experience
- Applying for a PNP stream to gain 600 bonus points
How Mansory Immigration Consultants Can Help
Navigating the ever-changing Express Entry landscape in 2025 requires expert strategy and timely decisions. At Mansory Immigration Consultants, we help clients:
- Build strong Express Entry profiles
- Optimize CRS scores for maximum ITA chances
- Apply for PNPs strategically
- Prepare documentation to meet IRCC’s requirements
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