Express Entry Draw Invites 4,500 Candidates with Lowest CRS Score

Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) department is actively issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2025 through the Express Entry system.

On March 6, 2025, IRCC held a French-language proficiency draw, issuing 4,500 ITAs to candidates. This marks the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score since August 2024 at 410. To qualify for this draw, candidates had to create their Express Entry profile before 7:47 am UTC on February 11, 2025.

We will summarise the Express entry Draws held in 2025 until now:

Express Entry Draws in 2025

In 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted multiple Express Entry draws to meet labour market demands and promote diversity. IRCC is strongly focusing on categories like French-language proficiency and Provincial Nominee Programs. However, the recent Express entry draws reflect a priority on candidates within Canada and targeted occupations.

IRCC has primarily focused on two types of draws in early 2025:

French Language Proficiency and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

• French Language Proficiency Draws: These draws have gained prominence, with significant ITAs issued to candidates demonstrating proficiency in French. The most recent draw on March 6 issued the lowest CRS cut-off score at 410. This indicates a strategic push to attract Francophone immigrants, aligning with Canada's commitment to linguistic diversity.
• Provincial Nominee Program Draws: Provincial Nominee Program draws have consistently targeted candidates with skills that meet regional labour market needs throughout the year. The cut-off scores for these draws have been higher than the French language draws, reflecting the competitive nature of these nominations.

Role of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Scores in Express Entry Draws

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) plays a crucial role in determining candidates' eligibility for ITAs.

The current trend shows a broader range of CRS scores across different draw types.

The recent French language proficiency draw's cut-off score of 410 represents a notable decrease from earlier months, where scores were significantly higher.

As IRCC continues to prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience and those who can contribute to specific economic sectors, fluctuations in CRS scores are expected as the year progresses.

In 2025, CRS scores have varied significantly across different draw types:

• French Language Proficiency Draws: Scores have been notably lower, with a recent draw on March 6, 2025, having a cut-off of 410, and another on February 19, 2025, at 428.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws: These generally required higher scores, such as 667 on March 3, 2025, and 750 on February 17, 2025.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draws: CRS Scores are moderate, with recent draws requiring scores of 521 on February 5, 2025.

Canada Sets New Immigration Priorities for 2025

On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant updates to the Express Entry categories for the year. These changes include the introduction of a new category for education-related occupations aimed at addressing shortages in teaching and early childhood education. At the same time, the transport category was removed from targeted draws. IRCC expanded the healthcare category by including more social services occupations in it.

For 2025, IRCC updates the following priority categories:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and Social services occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations

Does Working in Canada Count as a Valid Job Offer Under Express Entry?

Working in Canada on a work permit does not automatically qualify as a valid job offer under the Express Entry system.

To be considered a valid job offer, it must meet specific criteria:

• Full-time and Non-Seasonal: The job must be full-time, with at least 30 hours of work per week, and not seasonal.
• Duration: The job offer must be for at least one year.
• Skilled Job: The position must be classified under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Recent Offer: The employer must issue the job offer within the last year.
• Employer Requirements: The offer cannot be from an embassy, consulate, or high commission.
• LMIA Support: A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required to prove no Canadian worker is available for the role.

IRCC Remove CRS Points for Job Offers

In 2025, IRCC will stop awarding CRS points for job offers under the Express Entry system. This change can reduce some candidates' CRS scores by up to 50 or 200 points, significantly impacting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

This move will deeply impact candidates relying on job offers to boost their CRS scores. However, points earned from work experience will remain unaffected.

To improve their CRS scores, candidates should focus on enhancing their qualifications, such as improving language skills, gaining more work experience, or obtaining additional education credentials.

Read to know: IRCC Conducts Two Express Entry Draws in March, Issuing 5,225 PR Invitations