February 2025 Update: The State of Canada’s Express Entry Pool
As we step into February, Canada’s immigration system is showing positive momentum following the return to regular draws in January 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held two draws in February, which already surpassed the number of invitations issued in December 2024. This article reviews the January 2025 Express Entry draws, provides an in-depth look at the current pool composition, and analyzes how candidates are ranking.
A Snapshot of January 2025’s Express Entry Draws
In January, IRCC held three draws that saw the issuance of a total of 5,821 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This represents a significant increase compared to December, which only saw 2,561 ITAs. These January draws primarily targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and those with enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations.
The lack of draws for French-language candidates, who had consistently been included in previous months, marks a noticeable shift. However, with the government’s focus on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers to Canada (outside of Quebec), draws for this group are expected to return later in 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of the three draws that took place in January:
| Draw Number | Date of Draw | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-Off Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 331 | January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 793 | 471 |
| 332 | January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| 333 | January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan has prioritized In-Canada Focus admissions, concentrating on candidates from the CEC and PNP streams. The federal government has allocated 82,980 admissions under this category for 2025. This focus is in line with Canada’s goals to address negative population growth through immigration.
How the Express Entry Pool is Shaping Up in Early February
As of February 5, 2025, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool stands at 234,052. A slight decrease in candidates in the 501-600 CRS score range has been observed, even as the overall number of profiles in the pool increased by 6,289 since January.
Here’s a closer look at how candidates are distributed across the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranges:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 173 |
| 501-600 | 23,165 |
| 491-500 | 13,487 |
| 481-490 | 13,003 |
| 471-480 | 15,652 |
| 461-470 | 13,815 |
| 451-460 | 12,953 |
| 441-450 | 12,567 |
| 431-440 | 13,621 |
| 421-430 | 12,432 |
| 411-420 | 12,833 |
| 401-410 | 12,055 |
| 351-400 | 51,079 |
| 301-350 | 21,576 |
| 0-300 | 5,641 |
CRS Score Distribution and Percentile Analysis
To understand how candidates rank against one another, the following table outlines the percentile range for each CRS score band. Percentiles help illustrate the proportion of candidates with scores at or below a specific threshold.
| CRS Score Range | Percentile Range | Percentage of Total Pool |
|---|---|---|
| 0-300 | 0-2.41% | 2.41% |
| 301-350 | 2.41%-11.63% | 9.22% |
| 351-400 | 11.63%-33.45% | 21.82% |
| 401-410 | 33.45%-38.60% | 5.15% |
| 411-420 | 38.60%-44.09% | 5.48% |
| 421-430 | 44.09%-49.40% | 5.31% |
| 431-440 | 49.40%-55.22% | 5.82% |
| 441-450 | 55.22%-60.59% | 5.37% |
| 451-460 | 60.59%-66.12% | 5.53% |
| 461-470 | 66.12%-72.02% | 5.90% |
| 471-480 | 72.02%-78.71% | 6.69% |
| 481-490 | 78.71%-84.27% | 5.56% |
| 491-500 | 84.27%-90.03% | 5.76% |
| 501-600 | 90.03%-99.93% | 9.90% |
| 601-1200 | 99.93%-100.00% | 0.07% |
Key Insights:
- A large portion of candidates (about 21.82%) fall within the 351-400 CRS score range, making it a crucial segment for determining future draw cut-offs.
- The 501-600 score band, while having fewer candidates (around 9.90% of the total pool), holds those with the highest potential to receive invitations, as they are closer to the maximum score possible.
- The 601-1200 CRS range includes those with a provincial nomination or a valid job offer in Canada, representing the top 0.07% of candidates.
What This Means for Future Draws
By analyzing the current distribution of candidates and their CRS scores, we can better anticipate the cut-off scores for upcoming draws. As the pool grows and fluctuates, understanding where you stand relative to other candidates can offer insights into your chances of receiving an ITA.
With the IRCC continuing to prioritize CEC and PNP candidates, and given the expected return of French-language draws later in the year, individuals in these categories are well-positioned for selection. Those with higher CRS scores in the 481-490 range or better will have a stronger chance at receiving an ITA in future draws.
As IRCC continues to focus on meeting Canada’s immigration targets and addressing demographic challenges, the Express Entry system remains a dynamic and competitive pathway to permanent residence in Canada.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
