Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
Analyzing the Latest Trends in Canadian Immigration
May 2025 sees significant activity in the Express Entry pool as Canada adapts its immigration focus
June 2025: State of the Express Entry Pool
On This Page You Will Find:
- Overview of May 2025 Express Entry Draws
- Analysis of the Current Express Entry Pool
- Ranking of Candidate Scores
Summary:
In May 2025, the Express Entry system experienced a significant increase in activity, with 2,511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued across four draws. This marks a notable increase compared to the previous month. The draws included the first-ever Education category-based selection draw and a Healthcare and Social Services draw. Despite this uptick, the number of ITAs remains lower than earlier months in 2025. The distribution of scores within the Express Entry pool shows varied candidate profiles across different Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranges.
The month of May 2025 has seen a resurgence in activity within Canada's Express Entry system, following a relatively quiet period in April. This increased dynamism has been characterized by the issuance of 2,511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across four distinct draws, more than doubling the ITAs issued in April. Despite this increase, the number of ITAs remains significantly lower than the high numbers observed in the first quarter of the year.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted four draws in May, marking a return to normalcy with multiple draws after a brief hiatus. Noteworthy among these was the reintroduction of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, which had not been held since February, and the inaugural draws for Education and Healthcare and Social Services categories. This strategic move underscores Canada's commitment to addressing sector-specific needs through targeted immigration.
The breakdown of the May draws offers a glimpse into the priorities of the Canadian immigration framework. On May 1, an Education category draw issued 1,000 ITAs with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 479. This was followed by a Healthcare and Social Services draw on May 2, issuing 500 ITAs with a higher CRS cut-off of 510. Later in the month, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on May 12 allocated 511 ITAs with a CRS score requirement of 706, while the CEC draw on May 13 invited 500 candidates with a cut-off score of 547.
Below is a table detailing the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued and the cut-off scores for each draw held 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 occupations | 500 | 510 |
| May 12, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 13, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
While the number of ITAs issued in total (2,511) is more than double that of ITAs issued in April, it is still significantly lower than the number issued in January, February, and March.
| Month | ITAs issued |
|---|---|
| January, 2025 | 5,821 |
| February, 2025 | 11,601 |
| March 2025 | 13,261 |
| April, 2025 | 1,246 |
| May, 2025 | 2,511 |
In May, the selection process took a different turn from the alternating pattern of French proficiency and Provincial Nominee draws observed in March and April.
Current Score Distribution in the Express Entry Pool
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the number of candidates within each score range as of May 13, 2025.
| 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 |
An analysis of the current Express Entry pool as of May 13, 2025, reveals a dynamic distribution of candidate scores. The pool comprises 250,082 candidate profiles, showing an increase of 3,409 profiles since late April. While the majority of candidates fall within the CRS score ranges of 351 to 500, notable changes include a decline in candidates within the 601-1200 range to just 28, and an increase in those scoring between 501 and 600 by over 1,300 profiles.
The ranking of scores within the pool highlights the competitive nature of the Express Entry system. The largest concentration of candidates, 53,684, is within the 351-400 score range, accounting for 21.47% of the pool. In contrast, only a fraction of candidates, 0.01%, are in the highest score range of 601-1200. These statistics underscore the importance of strategic preparation and qualifications for prospective immigrants aiming to secure an ITA.
As Canada continues to refine its immigration policies to align with economic needs and demographic realities, the Express Entry system remains a crucial mechanism for attracting skilled talent. The recent draws and the current composition of the pool provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of Canadian immigration.
