2025
Canada Express Entry

By The Global Axis Immigration Consultants
Updated April 21, 2025

Canada’s Express Entry system  the country’s primary pathway for skilled immigration  has undergone one of its biggest changes in recent years. On April 14, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 825 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in the first draw since removing CRS points for arranged employment (LMIA-backed job offers).

The change reshuffled the Express Entry pool, pushing cut-off scores higher and reinforcing the importance of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), French-language draws, and core human capital factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills.

At The Global Axis Immigration Consultants, we ensure that our clients understand these new rules and position their applications strategically to stay competitive in the 2025 Express Entry landscape.

Express Entry April 14, 2025 Draw: Key Highlights

• Type of draw: PNP-specific

• Invitations issued: 825

• Minimum CRS score required: 764

• Policy impact: First draw after removal of LMIA job offer CRS points

• Pool size: 244,282 active profiles

This was one of the highest CRS cut-offs of 2025  showing just how competitive the process has become after the LMIA update.

What Changed in Express Entry 2025?

🔹 Removal of LMIA Points (Effective March 25, 2025)

Previously, candidates could claim:

• 200 CRS points for senior management LMIA-backed offers

• 50 CRS points for most skilled LMIA-backed offers

Now, those points are gone. Job offers remain relevant for eligibility in certain programs, but they no longer give a CRS boost.

👉 Why this matters: Candidates who relied on purchased or employer-arranged LMIAs dropped in rank, while genuine high-skilled candidates with strong profiles gained relative advantage.

Impact on CRS Scores

The April 14 draw cut-off jumped to 764 points, compared to:

• 736 CRS (March 17, 2025, PNP draw)

• 667 CRS (March 3, 2025, PNP draw)

Since PNP nominations give 600 automatic points, candidates needed at least 164 additional CRS points from age, education, language, and experience to qualify.

Express Entry Pool Snapshot (April 2025):

👉 Most competition is in the 451–500 range, where over 71,500 candidates are waiting.

Why Did IRCC Remove LMIA Points?

• To curb fraud: Many applicants were buying fake job offers to inflate scores.

• To restore fairness: Selection now depends on true merit, not purchased LMIAs.

• To protect program integrity: IRCC works with the Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP to prevent fraud.

⚠️ Fraudulent LMIA use leads to:

• A 5-year ban from Canada

• Permanent IRCC fraud record

• Possible deportation & criminal charges

What This Means for Candidates

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Are More Important Than Ever

• 600 CRS points guaranteed for provincial nominations.

• Provinces target candidates in healthcare, skilled trades, education, IT, and agriculture.

• Example: British Columbia and Saskatchewan have narrowed streams to healthcare and education professionals only in 2025 due to federal quota cuts.

French-Language Draws Offer Lower Cut-Offs

• March 2025 French-speaking draws had CRS thresholds as low as 379–410.

• Candidates can earn up to 50 additional CRS points for strong French skills (NCLC 7+).

• Canada targets 8.5% francophone immigration in 2025, rising to 10% by 2027.

Core Human Capital Factors Now Dominate CRS

Maximum CRS Points (single applicant):

• Age: 110 points (best for ages 20–29)

• Education: 150 points

• Language Proficiency: 160 points (CLB 9+)

• Work Experience: 80 points

👉 High IELTS/PTE scores and advanced education can dramatically increase CRS.

Canada’s 2025 Immigration Targets

• 124,680 new permanent residents to be admitted through Express Entry in 2025

• IRCC expected to hold larger and more frequent draws later in the year

• Target categories: Healthcare, STEM, Skilled Trades, and French-speaking professionals

How to Stay Competitive in 2025

Candidates must adapt to the new rules by:

• Improving English/French scores (IELTS/PTE/TEF)

• Pursuing provincial nominations strategically

• Boosting education credentials (ECA + postgraduate qualifications)

• Gaining Canadian work experience via study/work permits

• Applying for category-based draws (e.g., healthcare, STEM, trades)

Why Choose The Global Axis Immigration Consultants?

We are trusted experts in Canadian immigration, offering:

• Personalized CRS assessment & score improvement strategies

• Expert guidance on PNP applications across provinces

• Assistance with French-language pathways for faster selection

• Complete Express Entry & PR application support

• Family-inclusive migration strategies for dependents

• Ongoing support after visa approval (settlement & relocation)

With our expertise and government affiliation, we ensure that your profile is optimized, compliant, and positioned for success.

Final Thoughts

The April 14, 2025 Express Entry draw highlights the shift in Canada’s immigration strategy:

• Job offers no longer guarantee higher CRS scores.

• PNPs, French-language skills, and human capital factors are now critical.

• Canada remains committed to welcoming skilled migrants  but competition is fiercer than ever.

Book your free consultation with The Global Axis Immigration Consultants today and let us help you secure your place in Canada’s 2025 immigration system.