‘‘CRS changes cause major redistribution in candidate pool — see how the score ranges have shifted’’
In a dramatic shift to Canada’s immigration landscape, the removal of arranged employment points
from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) on March 25, 2025, has led to a massive shakeup in the Express Entry candidate pool. The change has reduced CRS scores by 50 or 200 points for thousands of candidates significantly impacting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
If you’re in the Express Entry pool, it’s more important than ever to calculate your updated CRS score
using platforms like CV+ and monitor how this change may affect your standing..
MAJOR CHANGES IN CANDIDATE POOL COMPOSITION
The impact of this policy shift has been most visible in score ranges above 480, where many candidates previously benefited from bonus points for arranged employment—particularly those supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Since the change, thousands of profiles have dropped into lower CRS ranges.
According to recent IRCC data, between March 16 and April 14, 2025, the following reductions were
observed in high-scoring ranges:
- 501–600 CRS points: Decrease of 5,740 profiles.
- 491–500 CRS points: Decrease of 1,618 profiles.
- 481–490 CRS points: Decrease of 984 profiles.
Together, these three ranges lost a total of 8,342 profiles, most likely due to the removal of 50–200 points for candidates with arranged employment. While some of these may have been natural expiries, the magnitude of the drop strongly suggests a direct correlation with the policy change.
REDISTRIBUTION TO LOWER SCORE RANGES
Despite these significant declines, the Express Entry pool actually grew overall by 7,373 profiles during the same time period. This signals a redistribution of candidates across the score spectrum. The 461–470 score range, in particular, saw a surge of 2,157 profiles—the single largest increase across all ranges. Immigration experts believe many candidates who previously held scores above 500 likely now fall within this range after losing their arranged employment points. These shifts not only alter the landscape for upcoming Express Entry draws but also raise questions about future cut-off scores and category-based selection trends.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE YOU?
If you were previously relying on arranged employment to boost your CRS score, you may now be in a less competitive range, meaning a reduced chance of receiving an ITA through general draws. However, targeted category-based draws and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) remain strategic options to explore.
IRCC has yet to comment on whether additional compensatory measures will be introduced, but in the
meantime, candidates are advised to:
- Recalculate their CRS scores using updated tools like CV+.
- Review eligibility for provincial nominations or category-based draws.
- Focus on improving other CRS components, such as language test scores or education credentials.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This recalibration of the Express Entry system is one of the most impactful changes in recent memory,
and it underscores the importance of staying informed and proactive as immigration policies evolve.
With the number of Express Entry candidates continuing to rise—and cut-off scores expected to
become even more competitive—now is the time to reassess your strategy and plan your next move
carefully.
