February 2025: Latest Update on the Express Entry Pool
As Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already conducted two draws in February 2025. Following a return to regular draw patterns in January, IRCC remains focused on inviting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), aligning with the In-Canada Focus allocation under the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
Express Entry Draws in January 2025
January saw the issuance of 5,821 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), a significant increase compared to December 2024. Notably, no French-language proficiency draws were held in January, deviating from previous trends in 2024. However, IRCC is expected to resume these draws later in 2025 to maintain its goal of attracting more Francophone newcomers outside Quebec.
Summary of January 2025 Express Entry Draws:
| Draw Number | Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 331 | January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 471 | 793 |
| 332 | January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,350 | 542 |
| 333 | January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 527 |
These numbers highlight IRCC’s continued prioritization of candidates already in Canada under the In-Canada Focus strategy, which has allocated 82,980 permanent residence spots for CEC and PNP candidates in 2025.
Current Express Entry Pool Distribution (as of February 5, 2025)
IRCC recently released updated data on the composition of candidates in the Express Entry pool. The table below outlines the distribution of CRS scores:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
| 601-1200 | 173 |
| 501-600 | 23,165 |
| 491-500 | 13,487 |
| 481-490 | 13,003 |
| 471-480 | 15,652 |
| 461-470 | 13,815 |
| 451-460 | 12,953 |
| 441-450 | 12,567 |
| 431-440 | 13,621 |
| 421-430 | 12,432 |
| 411-420 | 12,833 |
| 401-410 | 12,055 |
| 351-400 | 51,079 |
| 301-350 | 21,576 |
| 0-300 | 5,641 |
| Total | 234,052 |
The number of candidates with scores 501-600 has slightly decreased, despite an influx of 6,289 new profiles since the start of January. This indicates that more candidates are entering the pool, but fewer are scoring above 500 without a provincial nomination.
Where Do You Stand in the Express Entry Pool?
The following table provides percentile rankings for candidates in each CRS score range, offering insights into how competitive different scores are:
| CRS Score Range | Percentile Range | Percentage of Total Candidates |
| 601-1200 | 99.93%-100.00% | 0.07% |
| 501-600 | 90.03%-99.93% | 9.90% |
| 491-500 | 84.27%-90.03% | 5.76% |
| 481-490 | 78.71%-84.27% | 5.56% |
| 471-480 | 72.02%-78.71% | 6.69% |
| 461-470 | 66.12%-72.02% | 5.90% |
| 451-460 | 60.59%-66.12% | 5.53% |
| 441-450 | 55.22%-60.59% | 5.37% |
| 431-440 | 49.40%-55.22% | 5.82% |
| 421-430 | 44.09%-49.40% | 5.31% |
| 411-420 | 38.60%-44.09% | 5.48% |
| 401-410 | 33.45%-38.60% | 5.15% |
| 351-400 | 11.63%-33.45% | 21.82% |
| 301-350 | 2.41%-11.63% | 9.22% |
| 0-300 | 0-2.41% | 2.41% |
| Total | 0-100% | 100% |
Key Takeaways:
✔️ A CRS score above 500 remains highly competitive, but fewer candidates are in this range compared to previous months. ✔️ Candidates between 471-500 make up over 18% of the pool, making this the most competitive segment. ✔️ Provincial nominations continue to play a crucial role in securing an ITA, especially for candidates below 500 CRS.
What’s Next for Express Entry in 2025?
🔹 French-proficiency draws are likely to return soon, as IRCC aims to meet its Francophone immigration targets.
🔹 CEC and PNP candidates will continue to receive priority under the In-Canada Focus allocation.
🔹 CRS cut-off scores may fluctuate, but Express Entry-linked PNP nominations will remain an excellent option for those struggling to meet high CRS thresholds.
Conclusion
The Express Entry system in 2025 continues to favor candidates already in Canada, particularly those under the CEC and PNP streams. While CRS cut-offs remain high, provincial nominations and improving individual profiles remain the best strategies for securing PR.
At Liberty Immigration, we specialize in Express Entry, PNP applications, and profile optimization to help you maximize your chances of receiving an ITA.
👉 Stay ahead of Express Entry changes and secure your spot in Canada! Contact us today for expert guidance on your PR journey.
Related Resources
- IRCC Express Entry Updates
- How CRS Scoring Works
- PNP Draw Updates
- Understanding In-Canada Focus Immigration
- Provincial Nominee Program Overview
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