I analyzed the data from all Express Entry rounds conducted by IRCC from January to May 2025. Below is the key statistics, structure of the draws, and main trends that emerged during this period.
Total Draws and Types
From January 8 to May 13, 2025, IRCC conducted 16 rounds of Express Entry:
• Total Invitations to Apply (ITA): 34,440
• Latest draw: May 13, 2025, CEC, CRS = 547, 500 ITAs
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — 8 draws (50%)
• Round #332 — January 8, 2025, PNP, minimum CRS 542
• Round #333 — January 23, 2025, PNP, CRS 527
• Round #334 — February 4, 2025, PNP, CRS 455
• Round #336 — February 17, 2025, PNP, CRS 750
• Round #338 — March 3, 2025, PNP, CRS 667
• Round #340 — March 17, 2025, PNP, CRS 736
• Round #342 — April 14, 2025, PNP, CRS 764
• Round #343 — April 28, 2025, PNP, CRS 727
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — 4 draws (25%)
• Round #332 — January 8, 2025, CEC, CRS 542
• Round #333 — January 23, 2025, CEC, CRS 527
• Round #335 — February 5, 2025, CEC, CRS 521
• Round #347 — May 13, 2025, CEC, CRS 547
French Language Proficiency — 3 draws (19%)
• Round #337 — February 19, 2025, French language, CRS 428
• Round #339 — March 6, 2025, French language, CRS 410
• Round #341 — March 21, 2025, French language, CRS 379
Category-Based (Industry-Specific) — 2 draws (6%)
• Round #344 — May 1, 2025, Healthcare occupations, CRS 510
• Round #345 — May 2, 2025, Education occupations, CRS 479
Main Trends
Based on the presented data, several clear trends are defining Canada’s immigration strategy in 2025:
Shift Toward Targeted (Category-Based) Draws
IRCC has moved away from universal all-program draws — none were held since the beginning of 2025.
Goal: precisely select candidates that Canada needs:
• Francophones
• Local workers (CEC)
• Professionals in healthcare and education
• Candidates nominated by provinces (PNP)
Rising CRS Cut-Offs in CEC
CEC draws in 2025:
• January 8 — CRS 542
• January 23 — CRS 527
• February 5 — CRS 521
• May 13 — CRS 547 ← highest cut-off
This reflects increasing competition, especially among those already working in Canada.
Deeper Filtering via PNP
PNP draws:
• CRS thresholds ranged from 455 to 764
• Almost all PNP draws were narrow-focused, prioritizing candidates who already received a provincial nomination.
How the CRS Score Is Calculated for a PNP Candidate (Example: CRS = 706)
Let’s look at how the final score in the Express Entry system is formed for a candidate selected through a provincial nomination.
CRS consists of:
Base Score (maximum ~600):
• Age, language, education, work experience, Canadian education, etc.
PNP Nomination:
+600 points added to the profile
Example: If the final CRS = 706, the base score was ~106. This means the candidate had a minimal base profile (e.g., age points + second-level language proficiency) and received most of the points through the nomination.
Example Profile of a CEC Candidate with 547 Points (Latest Draw)
To reach 547 points without PNP:
• Age 27–29: 100–110
• First language CLB 10: 136
• Second language CLB 7–8: 5–10
• Master’s degree: 135
• 3 years of Canadian work experience: 64
• 1–2 years of foreign experience: 13–25
• Additional points (e.g., Canadian education +15 or job offer +50)
Sample Combination:
• Age 28 — 110
• English CLB 10 — 136
• French CLB 7 — 5
• Master’s — 135
• 3 years of Canadian experience — 64
• 1 year foreign experience — 13
• Bonus points (education in Canada) — 50
= 513 (needs slightly more experience or improve second language to CLB 8 [+8] to reach 547)
Thus, a successful candidate combined high language proficiency, solid education, and experience to reach ~540–550 points.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Given IRCC’s strategy and the structure of recent draws, the following conclusions can be made:
• IRCC is focusing on targeted immigration, avoiding mass ITA distribution.
• PNP and category-based draws are the primary path for most candidates.
• CEC has become more competitive with rising cut-offs.
• Francophones and specialists in healthcare and education have unique opportunities despite low general CRS.
• Obtaining a provincial nomination remains the most reliable way to pass Express Entry in 2025.
Marina Negrivoda, Canadian licensed immigration consultant