Publish Date: 15/04/2025
In a major shake-up to Canada's Express Entry system, thousands of candidates have seen a steep decline in their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores following the removal of CRS points for arranged employment. The change, implemented on March 25, 2025, has had a widespread impact on the composition of the Express Entry pool.
Key Impact: Up to 200 CRS Points Lost
Candidates who previously held job offers in Canada—worth 50 to 200 additional CRS points—have now lost that boost, resulting in a significant redistribution of profiles across score ranges. Between March 16 and April 14, 2025, over 8,300 profiles dropped out of the 501+ CRS range:
Despite this drop, the overall Express Entry pool grew by 7,373 profiles, indicating the decrease is directly linked to the new CRS policy.
Redistribution to Lower CRS Ranges
Many of the affected candidates are now reflected in the mid-400 score bands. Notably:
This shift could create more competitive opportunities for applicants in the 450–470 CRS range in future draws.
Current Pool Composition (As of April 14, 2025)
Interestingly, despite the overall pool growth since December 2024, the number of candidates in the 501+ range is now nearly the same as it was four months ago—underscoring how impactful the removal of job offer points has been.
What This Means for You
With fewer high-scoring profiles dominating the pool, mid-range CRS candidates may see improved chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in upcoming draws. It also signals a possible shift in IRCC's focus—especially with growing anticipation around category-based and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.
Now more than ever, it’s important for Express Entry candidates to recalculate their CRS scores and adapt their strategies accordingly.
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