In its third draw of 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued more invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Express Entry pool. The department extended 4,000 ITAs to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). To be eligible for an invitation, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 527 and had to submit their Express Entry profile before 7:06:43 am Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on January 23, 2024.
This draw follows a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7 and a CEC draw on January 8. IRCC has announced its intention to continue drawing for these candidates, in line with the “In-Canada Focus” allocation outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Under this allocation, Canada has dedicated 82,890 new immigrant landings in 2025.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
How Can I Increase My CRS Score?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assigns scores based on multiple factors, including:
- Core human capital factors
- Skill transferability factors
- Spouse or common-law partner factors
- Additional factors
To increase your CRS score, consider the following steps:
- Obtain higher education credentials
- Improve your official language proficiency in English or French (additional points for bilingual abilities)
- Gain more Canadian or foreign work experience
- Secure a provincial nomination
- If relevant, receive a certificate of qualification in a trade occupation from a Canadian province, which can boost points when combined with language proficiency
Note: Points vary depending on whether you have a spouse or common-law partner in your application. You can use the CRS calculator to estimate your score and potential changes.
The Continued Importance of Express Entry
Although experts expected Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to surpass Express Entry in 2024, Express Entry-managed programs remain Canada’s leading pathways for economic immigration. The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan sees an increase in the Express Entry allocation, rising from 110,770 landings in 2024 to 124,590 in 2025. Meanwhile, PNP landings allocations have been reduced from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025.
These changes will likely impact the number of ITAs issued through both Express Entry and PNPs. As a result, Express Entry will likely play a more prominent role in Canada’s immigration system, making it a crucial route for skilled foreign workers seeking to immigrate to Canada in 2025.
