Following a consistent pattern of Express Entry draws in February and March, activity slowed significantly in April 2025, with fewer rounds conducted and a reduced number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued.
During April, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 1,246 ITAs across two draws. Both draws were exclusively for candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), continuing IRCC’s recent focus on this selection stream.
Recent Trends in Express Entry
To date in 2025, a total of 4,079 ITAs have been issued to PNP candidates via Express Entry draws. While this reflects a sustained emphasis on provincial nominees, it also marks a shift away from earlier trends in the year, with no draws targeting French-language proficiency or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates throughout April.
Notably, the first draw of May introduced a new direction in category-based selection, targeting educational professionals for the first time through the Express Entry system.
Draws Conducted in April 2025
April featured two PNP-specific draws:
| Draw Number | Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 342 | April 14, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| 343 | April 28, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
Compared to previous months, the number of ITAs issued in April was significantly lower:
| Month | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | 5,821 |
| February 2025 | 11,601 |
| March 2025 | 13,261 |
| April 2025 | 1,246 |
The April total represents less than one-tenth of the ITAs issued in March and mirrors draw activity levels last seen in May 2022, which also included just two PNP draws with a comparable number of invitations.
Despite IRCC’s earlier announcement on February 27 that Canadian Experience Class candidates would be prioritized for ITAs in 2025, no CEC-specific draws have been held since February 5.
Current CRS Score Distribution in the Express Entry Pool (as of April 27, 2025)
The table below shows how candidates are currently distributed across Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranges:
| CRS Score Range | Number of 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 |
This data shows an increase of 2,391 candidate profiles since April 14. The rise occurred primarily in CRS ranges up to 471–480, while the number of profiles in higher ranges declined. This may be linked to the IRCC’s March 25 change, which removed CRS points for arranged employment. Previously, candidates could gain 50 or 200 CRS points under this category, often pushing them into higher scoring brackets.
CRS Score Comparison and Percentile Ranking
The table below outlines where candidates fall within the CRS distribution and their approximate percentile rankings as of April 27, 2025:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates | Percentile Range | Percentage of Total Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,566 | 0 – 3.47% | 3.47% |
| 301–350 | 22,553 | 3.47% – 12.62% | 9.14% |
| 351–400 | 53,640 | 12.62% – 34.36% | 21.75% |
| 401–410 | 12,469 | 34.36% – 39.42% | 5.05% |
| 411–420 | 13,274 | 39.42% – 44.80% | 5.38% |
| 421–430 | 13,385 | 44.80% – 50.22% | 5.43% |
| 431–440 | 14,909 | 50.22% – 56.27% | 6.04% |
| 441–450 | 14,230 | 56.27% – 62.04% | 5.77% |
| 451–460 | 14,964 | 62.04% – 68.10% | 6.07% |
| 461–470 | 16,313 | 68.10% – 74.72% | 6.61% |
| 471–480 | 16,411 | 74.72% – 81.37% | 6.65% |
| 481–490 | 12,544 | 81.37% – 86.45% | 5.09% |
| 491–500 | 12,291 | 86.45% – 91.44% | 4.98% |
| 501–600 | 20,708 | 91.44% – 99.83% | 8.39% |
| 601–1200 | 416 | 99.83% – 100.00% | 0.17% |
This distribution helps candidates assess how competitive their CRS score is in the current pool. With a higher concentration of candidates below the 480 range and a declining number of higher scorers, now may be an ideal time to explore ways to enhance your score or leverage alternative pathways like PNPs.
Skynet Immigration, under the guidance of Salekur Rahman (RCIC# R514379), offers expert assistance in understanding and navigating the Express Entry system. Whether you need a CRS review, PNP strategy, or end-to-end immigration support, we are here to help.
We offer free assessments, expert documentation reviews, and transparent guidance to support your immigration goals to Canada.
