Every skilled worker living in Canada dreams of permanently settling there. However, they can only achieve this dream through the Express Entry system if they score high enough!
Every year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to choose who will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. With scores based on age, education, work experience, and language skills, competition is intense, and getting a higher score is challenging.
But in 2025, it has become more challenging and raised many questions—will this year’s CRS score go down? With new immigration policies, immigration targets, and evolving labour market needs, the future of CRS scores is unknown. It can be more difficult or more flexible.
So, let’s explore the trends, factors, and expert insights that could change the Express Entry scenario in 2025.
What Is The Express Entry System?
The Express Entry system was launched in 2025. It simplified the immigration process through three main federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
To apply and become a permanent resident of Canada, you have to create a profile in the Express Entry pool first. On this pool, you will be ranked based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, which can go up to 1,200 points. An application can earn up to 600 points for important factors like age, education, language abilities, and work experience.
The IRCC holds regular draws to invite the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residency. The CRS cut-off score is the minimum score required to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and it varies based on the type of draw and the candidates available at that time.
Recent Trends In CRS Scores
One of the positive changes for immigrants is that in 2025, Canada plans to let in more people through Express Entry, with 124,590 spots available for economic programs, an increase from 110,770 in 2024. Although the total number of immigrants is going down by 20%, the share for Federal High-Skilled (FHS) programs, including Express Entry, is going up from 22.8% in 2024 to 31.5% in 2025. However, there is a considerable drop from 110,000 to 55,000 in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This change shows how vital Express Entry is for bringing in skilled workers to help the economy.
In 2025, CRS cutoffs vary by draw type. General draws range from 486 to 561, averaging 525, reflecting a competitive pool. CEC draws, targeting Canadian work experience, have cut-offs of 520–542. PNP draws, like the April 14, 2025, draw, required 763 due to 600-point nominations. French-language draws have lower cut-offs (410–428), supporting Canada’s bilingualism goals.
High cut-offs are common, and PNP draws are drawn because of competition and nomination points. In contrast, lower cut-offs are seen in category-based draws that focus on specific trade or professional categories. Knowing these trends is important to guess if CRS scores will go down in 2025.
Removal Of Job Offer Points
One of the significant changes we see is the transformative policy shift that took effect on March 25, 2025. In the past, people with real LMIA-supported job offers got 50 points for regular jobs and 200 points for high-level jobs, which helped them move up in the rankings. Right now, people in the Express Entry system can’t get extra job offer points, this rule was in place since March,2025.
This change will be temporary, but IRCC didn’t mention when it will end. People who got ITAs before the change or have applications still being processed are not affected, but those in the pool now have lower scores, making it harder for them to get ITAs.
Strategies To Boost Your CRS Score
There are some steps you can take to increase your CRS score:
Maximise Language Proficiency: Getting a CLB 9 or higher on the IELTS or other similar tests helps you earn more points. If you score the highest in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you can get up to 136 points if you apply alone. Learning French is a smart move, it can help you to get into draws with lower cutoff scores.
Secure a Provincial Nomination: A provincial nomination adds 600 points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA in PNP-specific draws. But you need to understand which program is eligible for you.
Gain Additional Work Experience: Each year of skilled work experience, especially in Canada, adds points. Canadian experience is particularly valuable in CEC draws, where cut-offs are slightly lower than general draws.
Enhance Education Credentials: Getting a higher degree or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign qualifications can boost your points. For example, a master’s or PhD gives you 135 points, while a bachelor’s degree only gives you 120.
Get Spousal points: Applying with a spouse, ensure the principal applicant has a stronger profile. Improving the spouse’s language skills or education can also add points under adaptability factors.
Target Category-Based Draws: Align your profile with IRCC’s priority occupations or develop French proficiency to qualify for lower cut-off draws.
Conversely, several dynamics may sustain or increase cut-offs, posing challenges for applicants:
What To Expect In 2025
It’s unlikely that cut-off scores will drop a lot, probably staying between 500 and 550. Since job offer points are gone, applicants are now in lower score ranges, but the competition and ongoing global interest will keep the cut-offs high. The cut-offs for French-language and specific job draws will be lower, around 410 to 450. If these categories expand, it could help candidates with average scores.
PNP draw cut-offs will stay high (over 700) because of nomination points, but they provide a solid option for candidates with strong connections to specific provinces. Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027 aims for 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, which is a bit less than the 485,000 in 2024. If IRCC raises the number of Express Entry spots, especially for CEC or French-language draws, cut-offs might go down in those areas.
Focusing on candidates already in Canada or bilingual applicants could ease the pressure on general cut-offs. It’s really important to keep an eye on IRCC’s draw announcements and updates on immigration policies.
CRS scores for general draws probably won’t go down much in 2025, but if you can still do well by making your profiles better. You can improve your chances of getting an ITA by working hard on your language skills, getting more work experience, and paying attention to what IRCC cares about. It’s important to keep checking IRCC’s website and think about getting professional help. With hard work and being open to change, getting permanent residency in Canada in 2025 is possible.