After a quieter April, Express Entry draws saw a significant increase in activity during May. In total, 2,511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across four draws—more than double the number of ITAs given out in April.
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This article covers the following:
- The Express Entry draws in May 2025
- The current composition of the Express Entry pool
- A breakdown of how candidates rank against one another based on their CRS scores
What Draws Took Place in May 2025?
May was a busy month for Express Entry, with four draws taking place. Along with the usual draws, there were a couple of noteworthy changes:
- Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) resumed its Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw after a three-month hiatus.
- IRCC introduced the first-ever Education Occupations draw and the first Healthcare and Social Services draw of 2025.
Here’s a summary of the ITAs issued and the CRS cut-off scores for each draw in May:
| Date of Draw | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | Education Occupations | 1,000 | 479 |
| May 2, 2025 | Healthcare and Social Services | 500 | 510 |
| May 12, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 511 | 706 |
| May 13, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 500 | 547 |
While the total ITAs issued in May (2,511) is more than double that of April (1,246), it’s still lower than the numbers seen in January, February, and March 2025.
| Month | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | 5,821 |
| February 2025 | 11,601 |
| March 2025 | 13,261 |
| April 2025 | 1,246 |
| May 2025 | 2,511 |
The May draws also deviated from the alternating pattern seen in March and April, which focused heavily on French proficiency and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws.
Current Composition of the Express Entry Pool
As of May 13, 2025, the Express Entry pool consists of 250,082 candidates. Below is a breakdown of candidates by CRS score range:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 0-300 | 8,452 |
| 301-350 | 22,069 |
| 351-400 | 53,684 |
| 401-410 | 12,686 |
| 411-420 | 13,589 |
| 421-430 | 13,718 |
| 431-440 | 15,241 |
| 441-450 | 14,439 |
| 451-460 | 15,276 |
| 461-470 | 16,691 |
| 471-480 | 16,641 |
| 481-490 | 12,704 |
| 491-500 | 12,429 |
| 501-600 | 22,435 |
| 601-1200 | 28 |
| Total | 250,082 |
Notably, the number of candidates in the 601-1200 CRS range has dropped to just 28, while the 501-600 range has grown by more than 1,300 profiles since April 27.
How Do Scores Rank in the Express Entry Pool?
Below is a table detailing the distribution of CRS scores across percentiles in the pool, as of May 13, 2025:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates | Percentile Range | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 | 8,452 | 0–3.38% | 3.38% |
| 301–350 | 22,069 | 3.38%–12.20% | 8.82% |
| 351–400 | 53,684 | 12.20%–33.67% | 21.47% |
| 401–410 | 12,686 | 33.67%–38.74% | 5.07% |
| 411–420 | 13,589 | 38.74%–44.18% | 5.43% |
| 421–430 | 13,718 | 44.18%–49.66% | 5.49% |
| 431–440 | 15,241 | 49.66%–55.76% | 6.09% |
| 441–450 | 14,439 | 55.76%–61.53% | 5.77% |
| 451–460 | 15,276 | 61.53%–67.64% | 6.11% |
| 461–470 | 16,691 | 67.64%–74.31% | 6.67% |
| 471–480 | 16,641 | 74.31%–80.97% | 6.65% |
| 481–490 | 12,704 | 80.97%–86.05% | 5.08% |
| 491–500 | 12,429 | 86.05%–91.02% | 4.97% |
| 501–600 | 22,435 | 91.02%–99.99% | 8.97% |
| 601–1200 | 28 | 99.99%–100% | 0.01% |
The percentiles in the table were calculated based on the highest CRS score in each range. These percentiles represent the percentage of candidates with a score at or below that score.
Summary
May 2025 saw increased activity in Express Entry draws, with a total of 2,511 ITAs issued. The pool composition reflects some changes, with a noticeable increase in candidates in the 501-600 CRS range. While the draws of May were fewer than the numbers in early 2025, there was more diversity in the draw types, including targeted categories for education, healthcare, and social services.
If you’re actively tracking your CRS score or looking to apply, now is a good time to assess your ranking in the pool and keep an eye on future draw patterns.
