Canada’s Express Entry candidate pool has undergone a major shift following the federal government’s decision to remove Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for arranged employment, effective March 25, 2025. According to data reported by CIC News, the removal has significantly impacted thousands of profiles in the pool, especially those in the higher score ranges.
The most substantial change was seen in the 501–600 CRS score range, where 5,740 candidate profiles dropped out between March 16 and April 14. Similar declines were recorded in the 491–500 and 481–490 ranges, which lost 1,618 and 984 profiles, respectively. These categories had previously included many candidates who received 50 or 200 additional CRS points for arranged employment.
According to a report by CIC News, these numbers suggest a direct link between the changes and the decrease in higher-scoring candidates. Despite the decline in top-tier profiles, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool increased by 7,373 during the same period. The largest jump occurred in the 461–470 range, which gained 2,157 profiles. Many of these candidates are believed to have previously scored above 500 due to employment points.
The 401–450 range also saw a significant increase, with 5,814 new profiles. This trend continued in the lower score bands, such as 351–400 and 301–350, which added 1,677 and 1,496 profiles respectively. The lowest score range, 0–300, grew by 2,516 profiles.
As of April 14, 2025, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool reached 244,282. The breakdown by score range shows 71,542 profiles in the 451–500 band, making it the most populous range. The 401–450 band follows closely with 67,301 profiles. The high score range of 501–600 now includes 19,782 candidates, down significantly from previous months.
Despite the total pool size increasing by more than 25,000 profiles since December 2024, several top score bands — including 501–600, 491–500, and 481–490 — now hold a similar number of candidates as they did at the end of last year, as per the CIC News report.
The Express Entry system is used to manage immigration applications for Canada’s key economic immigration programs, and CRS scores determine which candidates receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The government has stated that these changes aim to bring more balance and fairness to the selection process.
For many candidates, this new scoring approach may alter their strategy, particularly for those who previously relied on job offers to boost their CRS scores.
The most substantial change was seen in the 501–600 CRS score range, where 5,740 candidate profiles dropped out between March 16 and April 14. Similar declines were recorded in the 491–500 and 481–490 ranges, which lost 1,618 and 984 profiles, respectively. These categories had previously included many candidates who received 50 or 200 additional CRS points for arranged employment.
According to a report by CIC News, these numbers suggest a direct link between the changes and the decrease in higher-scoring candidates. Despite the decline in top-tier profiles, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool increased by 7,373 during the same period. The largest jump occurred in the 461–470 range, which gained 2,157 profiles. Many of these candidates are believed to have previously scored above 500 due to employment points.
The 401–450 range also saw a significant increase, with 5,814 new profiles. This trend continued in the lower score bands, such as 351–400 and 301–350, which added 1,677 and 1,496 profiles respectively. The lowest score range, 0–300, grew by 2,516 profiles.
As of April 14, 2025, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool reached 244,282. The breakdown by score range shows 71,542 profiles in the 451–500 band, making it the most populous range. The 401–450 band follows closely with 67,301 profiles. The high score range of 501–600 now includes 19,782 candidates, down significantly from previous months.
Despite the total pool size increasing by more than 25,000 profiles since December 2024, several top score bands — including 501–600, 491–500, and 481–490 — now hold a similar number of candidates as they did at the end of last year, as per the CIC News report.
The Express Entry system is used to manage immigration applications for Canada’s key economic immigration programs, and CRS scores determine which candidates receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The government has stated that these changes aim to bring more balance and fairness to the selection process.
For many candidates, this new scoring approach may alter their strategy, particularly for those who previously relied on job offers to boost their CRS scores.
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