CRS Change Reshapes Express Entry Process
CRS Change Reshapes Express Entry Process: Major Drop in High Scores After Policy Change
A significant policy shift in Canada’s Express Entry system has caused a notable redistribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores across the candidate pool.
The removal of points awarded for arranged employment has resulted in a widespread reshuffling of candidate rankings and a dramatic shift in the overall composition of the Express Entry pool.
Policy Change Causes Ripple Effect Across CRS Distribution
As of March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) discontinued awarding CRS points for arranged employment—a move that has sent thousands of Express Entry applicants down the rankings. Candidates who previously benefited from 50 or even 200 additional CRS points through job offers now find themselves in significantly lower score brackets, which could delay or derail their path to permanent residency.
Between mid-March and mid-April 2025, the candidate pool saw large fluctuations in nearly every CRS bracket, but the highest impact was felt in the 501–600 point range. This bracket lost 5,740 profiles in under a month, highlighting the extensive reliance on arranged employment points among high-ranking candidates.
Backlog over The Past six Months
For a broader perspective, here is the trajectory of the backlog over the past six months:
| Month | Immigration Backlog | Change Relative to Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 1,097,000 | +1.73% |
| October 2024 | 1,056,100 | -3.73% |
| November 2024 | 1,006,500 | -4.70% |
| December 2024 | 942,300 | -6.38% |
| January 2025 | 892,100 | -5.33% |
| February 2025 | 821,200 | -7.95% |
With a total of 2,029,400 applications in its inventory, IRCC has successfully processed 1,208,200 applications within its service standards, demonstrating a firm commitment to efficiency.
Winners and Losers: Score Ranges Most Affected
The removal of employment-related CRS points triggered a major redistribution of candidate profiles.
Those who previously held competitive scores above 500 were pushed down, while the mid-range score bands saw a sudden uptick in population. Specifically:
| CRS Points | Candidates |
|---|---|
| 501–600 | Decreased by 5,740 |
| 491–500 | Dropped by 1,618 |
| 481–490 | Fell by 984 |
At the same time, lower score ranges experienced notable increases. For instance, the 461–470 range added 2,157 profiles, likely comprising candidates who lost the 50 points from job offers and slipped from the 500+ tier. Other mid-level brackets, such as 451–460 and 401–450, grew by 1,750 and 5,814 candidates, respectively.
The most substantial jump occurred in the 401–450 bracket, indicating a possible influx of new candidates or a mass reclassification of profiles that were previously in higher tiers.
Current Pool Snapshot: A Closer Look at the Numbers
As of April 14, 2025, the Express Entry pool includes 244,282 active profiles, marking a significant expansion compared to late 2024. Despite the recent policy shift, the total candidate count grew by 7,373 profiles in less than a month, reflecting continued interest in Canada’s economic immigration programs.
A Temporary Program with the Potential for Permanence
The HCWP : CC is part of a broader five-year pilot initiative designed to address labor shortages in Canada’s child care sector while offering eligible workers a pathway to permanent residency. Given the program’s popularity, immigration experts speculate that the government may consider transitioning it into a permanent immigration stream in the future, much like the successful Atlantic Immigration Program.
Here’s a summary of the current distribution:
- CRS 501–600: 19,782 candidates
- CRS 451–500: 71,542 candidates
- CRS 401–450: 67,301 candidates
- CRS 351–400: 53,479 candidates
- CRS 0–300: 8,563 candidates
Interestingly, the number of candidates in some higher CRS ranges (such as 491–500 and 481–490) is now nearly identical to levels last seen in December 2024—despite the overall pool growing by over 25,000 candidates in that period.
Long-Term Implications for Express Entry Applicants
This shift underscores a broader trend: Express Entry candidates can no longer rely on employment offers to guarantee high CRS rankings. As arranged employment points once provided a fast track to permanent residency, their removal significantly levels the playing field, favoring applicants with strong core human capital attributes such as language proficiency, education, and Canadian work experience.
With more profiles clustering in the mid-range CRS brackets, the cutoff scores in future Express Entry draws may shift, potentially opening opportunities for candidates who previously fell just below the threshold.
What Should Candidates Do Now?
In light of this development, applicants are advised to:
- Recalculate their CRS scores without arranged employment points
- Explore alternative ways to increase their scores, such as language retesting or pursuing provincial nomination programs (PNPs)
- Monitor the upcoming Express Entry draws closely, as selection trends may change based on this new score distribution
Candidates can use government-endorsed CRS calculators or trusted platforms like CV+ to reassess their standing in the new Express Entry environment.
Conclusion: A New Era for Express Entry
The elimination of arranged employment points marks a pivotal change in Canada’s immigration landscape. While it has reshuffled the ranks and temporarily disrupted many candidates’ plans, it also creates a more balanced system where core competencies and adaptability play a greater role in selection.
As the immigration ecosystem adjusts to this policy shift, candidates who adapt quickly and understand the evolving metrics will have the best chance of success in future draws.
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