OTTAWA, Canada — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently reported a significant decline in Express Entry invitations in April 2025, with just 1,246 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued. This drop marks a notable change after maintaining steady levels in February and March, which saw a combined draw total of four draws.
The two PNP-specific draws executed in April focused entirely on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, with cut-off scores reaching into the 700s. The first draw on April 14 saw 825 ITAs issued with a cut-off score of 764, while the second on April 28 resulted in 421 ITAs at a cut-off score of 727.
During the initial four months of 2025, IRCC has allocated 4,079 ITAs to PNP candidates. However, the dwindling activity in April stands in stark contrast to the previous months when ITAs frequently surpassed 10,000 monthly. For instance, January saw 5,821, February welcomed 11,601, and March reached a peak of 13,261 ITAs, highlighting the stark drop-off to just 1,246 in April.
While IRCC had indicated, on February 27, its intention to prioritize CEC candidates for ITAs throughout 2025, no CEC-specific draws have occurred since then. The current data reveals an increase of 2,391 candidates in the Express Entry pool as of May, showing more competition among candidates.
The breakdown of candidate profiles illustrates a significant distribution across various Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, with a total of 246,673 profiles in the pool as of April 27. The highest number of candidates is within the 301-350 score range, with 22,553 individuals, while the 0-300 score range holds 8,566.
The removal of job offer points assigned in the CRS since March 2025 also contributed to the recent dynamics, with alternative arrangements now affecting upper-end scores.
“Our goal is to continuously assess and adapt our immigration strategy,” an IRCC spokesperson emphasized as they reflected on this recent slowdown. “The trends we follow are crucial to addressing the needs of Canadian provinces while ensuring qualified candidates are still sought after.”
As the Express Entry system continues to evolve, prospective immigrants keen to apply are advised to stay updated on current regulations and draw results. Failure to receive an ITA does not prevent individuals from reapplying within their one-year profile validity, provided they meet eligibility criteria.
Insider reports hint that IRCC may be reviewing the inclusion of CEC draws soon as they aim to bolster the immigrant pool with skilled labor capable of contributing to Canada’s growing economy. Anticipation among applicants is high as candidates await further announcements regarding scheduled draws in May.
Overall, the distinct shift in invitation patterns reflects not only IRCC’s ongoing policy adjustments but also the competitive nature of the immigration landscape that candidates will need to navigate moving forward.
