With the start of a new year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has resumed Express Entry draws, signaling a return to pre-December trends in the selection of candidates for permanent residence.
January 2025 saw the issuance of 5,821 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), with selections focused on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates and those in enhanced Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Notably, this was the first month since June 2024 where no Express Entry draws targeted French-language proficiency candidates.
While December and January each saw three draws, IRCC has already conducted two draws in February, surpassing the total number of invitations issued in December.
This article provides an overview of the January Express Entry draws, the current distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool, and an analysis of CRS score rankings as of early February 2025.
Express Entry Draws in January 2025
In January, IRCC conducted three Express Entry draws, issuing 5,821 ITAs—more than double the number issued in December 2024.
The absence of French-language proficiency draws in January was a deviation from the established pattern in 2024. However, IRCC is expected to resume these draws in 2025 as part of its ongoing efforts to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
ITAs Issued in Recent Months
| Month | Total ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| October 2024 | 5,961 |
| November 2024 | 5,507 |
| December 2024 | 2,561 |
| January 2025 | 5,821 |
Summary of Express Entry Draws – January 2025
| Draw Number | Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-Off Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 331 | January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 471 | 793 |
| 332 | January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,350 | 542 |
| 333 | January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 527 |
These draws align with the In-Canada Focus admissions category in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which prioritizes CEC and PNP candidates to help meet permanent residence landing targets and address Canada’s negative population growth.
For 2025, this category is allocated 82,980 permanent residence admissions and primarily consists of CEC and PNP admissions, though Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates could also be considered in the future.
Current Express Entry Pool Composition – February 2025
The following table outlines the CRS score distribution of Express Entry candidates as of February 5, 2025:
| 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 |
| Total Candidates in Pool | 234,052 |
Key Observations
- The 501-600 CRS range has seen a slight decrease in candidates, despite 6,289 new profiles being added to the Express Entry pool since January.
- The majority of candidates are in the 351-400 range, representing over 51,000 applicants.
- High-scoring candidates (CRS 501-600) account for nearly 10% of all applicants in the pool.
How Do Express Entry Candidates Rank Against Each Other?
To understand your chances of receiving an ITA, it is important to see where your CRS score ranks compared to other candidates in the pool. The table below provides a percentile breakdown of CRS scores as of February 5, 2025.
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates | Percentile Range | Percentage of Total Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-300 | 5,641 | 0-2.41% | 2.41% |
| 301-350 | 21,576 | 2.41%-11.63% | 9.22% |
| 351-400 | 51,079 | 11.63%-33.45% | 21.82% |
| 401-410 | 12,055 | 33.45%-38.60% | 5.15% |
| 411-420 | 12,833 | 38.60%-44.09% | 5.48% |
| 421-430 | 12,432 | 44.09%-49.40% | 5.31% |
| 431-440 | 13,621 | 49.40%-55.22% | 5.82% |
| 441-450 | 12,567 | 55.22%-60.59% | 5.37% |
| 451-460 | 12,953 | 60.59%-66.12% | 5.53% |
| 461-470 | 13,815 | 66.12%-72.02% | 5.90% |
| 471-480 | 15,652 | 72.02%-78.71% | 6.69% |
| 481-490 | 13,003 | 78.71%-84.27% | 5.56% |
| 491-500 | 13,487 | 84.27%-90.03% | 5.76% |
| 501-600 | 23,165 | 90.03%-99.93% | 9.90% |
| 601-1200 | 173 | 99.93%-100.00% | 0.07% |
What This Data Means for Applicants
- If your CRS score is above 500, you are in the top 10% of candidates and have a strong chance of receiving an ITA.
- If your CRS score is between 471-500, you are likely to be invited in general draws.
- If your CRS score is below 450, your chances improve if you qualify for category-based selection or a PNP nomination.
Maximize Your Chances for an ITA
If your CRS score is lower than recent cut-offs, you can improve your ranking by:
- Obtaining a Provincial Nomination (PNP) for 600 additional CRS points.
- Improving your language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF).
- Gaining additional work experience or educational credentials.
- Securing a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Get a Free Express Entry Assessment
At Skynet Immigration, we help candidates navigate Express Entry, PNPs, and work permits to improve their chances of securing an ITA.
