January 2025: Express Entry Pool Overview

The new year has started strong for Express Entry applicants! After a quieter December, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is back in action, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system. This momentum reflects the department's efforts to meet its ambitious immigration targets for 2025.

What Happened in December 2024?

December saw fewer draws compared to previous months. Only three draws were held, issuing a total of 2,561 ITAs. This was significantly lower than the activity in October (5,961 ITAs) and November (5,507 ITAs). Here’s a breakdown of December’s draws:

These draws continued the trend of focusing on candidates in PNPs and those with French-language proficiency. Such preferences align with Canada's long-term goals, including increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec and prioritizing regional needs through PNPs.

Notably absent in December were draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, which had been common in previous months. Some experts speculate this pause may relate to upcoming changes in how Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are awarded for job offers, though IRCC has not confirmed this.

State of the Express Entry Pool in January 2025

The Express Entry pool continues to grow, with 227,763 candidates registered as of January 8, 2025. Since December 16, 2024, there’s been an increase of 6,453 new profiles, with over half scoring in the 501-600 CRS range.

Here’s how the pool is currently distributed by CRS score:

Key Insights

• The largest group of candidates scored between 351-400, making up 22% of the pool.
• High-scoring candidates (501-600) represent 10% of the pool, showing their competitive edge in upcoming draws.

What This Means for Applicants

The composition of the pool is a crucial factor in determining CRS cut-offs during draws. With many high-scoring candidates in the system, competition remains fierce.

Candidates should keep track of trends and prepare strategically to increase their chances of receiving an ITA. Whether it’s improving language scores, securing a PNP nomination, or focusing on areas like French proficiency, there are pathways to success.