4,500 Express Entry candidates invited with lowest CRS cut-off score since August, 2024
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Express Entry system.
The immigration department issued 4,500 ITAs to candidates in a French-language proficiency draw.
To be considered for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 410, and to have created an Express Entry candidate profile before 7:47 am Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on 11 February 2025.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 504 |
| June 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Today's draw is the second of the month and follows a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on 3 March.
Express Entry draws in 2025 have largely focussed on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates, following IRCC's commitment to prioritizing in-Canada candidates for ITAs. Thus far in the year, there have been four PNP draws and three CEC draws.
As of 6 March 2025, IRCC has held two draws this year under Express Entry category-based selections—both for candidates with French language proficiency. Previously the department issued 6,500 ITAs to candidates with advanced French proficiency on February 19.
The immigration department also recently announced its priority categories for 2025, adding a category for education occupations in the process. These 2025 priority categories are:
- French-language proficiency;
- Healthcare and social services occupations;
- Trade occupations; and
- Education occupations.
I am already working in Canada, does this count as a valid job offer under Express Entry?
In the spring of this year, IRCC plans to remove CRS points for job offers of arranged employment under the Express Entry system. This change will reduce some candidate's CRS scores by as much as 50 or 200 points, greatly impacting their chances of receiving an ITA.
In this context, it is important to know which candidates may be impacted. Working in Canada on a work permit is not the same as a job offer of arranged employment under Express Entry.
To work full-time in Canada as a foreign national, newcomers (who are not permanent residents) require work permits (or in some cases, only need study permits if they are pursuing a co-op placement for example).
To meet the requirements to award CRS points under Express Entry, a job offer must be:
- Full-time and non-seasonal;
- At least a year in duration;
- For a skilled job in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) level 0, 1, 2, or 3;
- Be recent (issued within the last year); and
- From an employer who is not an embassy, consulate, or high commission.
In addition, valid job offers must usually be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which an employer must apply for and receive, to prove that a Canadian worker was not available within the labour market to fill this role instead.
If you're receiving points for an offer of employment that meets the above-listed conditions, you may be impacted by the impending removal of CRS points. Note that CRS points derived from your foreign or Canadian work experience will not be impacted by this change.
For more information on Express Entry, and the conditions for a valid job offer, visit our dedicated webpage.
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