Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its latest Express Entry draw on June 4th, 2025, issuing 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with experience in healthcare and social service occupations.
This was the second draw of the week and targeted profiles with at least six months of work experience in one of 37 eligible roles. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score for this round was 504, indicating a competitive selection process.
According to Immigration News Canada (INC), this draw is part of Canada’s category-based selection approach aimed at filling key labour shortages. While the CRS cut-off dropped by six points compared to a similar draw on May 2nd, when the threshold was 510, it remains high enough to suggest that competition in the Express Entry pool continues to be strong. The tie-breaking rule for this round applied to candidates who submitted their profiles before March 31st, 2025.
Other Express Entry Activity This Week
Earlier in the week, on June 2nd, IRCC issued 277 ITAs under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The CRS cut-off for that draw was significantly higher at 726, reflecting the additional points awarded to nominees through the PNP.
The tie-breaking date for the June 2nd draw was September 24th, 2024. These two draws showed IRCC’s selective approach in 2025, which is guided by its Immigration Levels Plan and reduced annual permanent resident targets.
In 2025, Canada aims to admit 395,000 new permanent residents. With this lower target, IRCC is prioritising candidates who are more likely to meet immediate labour market needs, including those with provincial nominations, Canadian work experience, or French-language proficiency.
Changes in the Express Entry Pool
As of June 1st, 2025, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool stood at 255,030. This represents an increase of nearly 5,000 candidates compared to May 13th, showing continued interest in Canadian immigration despite more selective draws.
The largest increase occurred in the 501–600 CRS score range, which grew by over 2,200 candidates. This growth could be the result of applicants improving their profiles through better language test results, additional education credentials, or other adjustments.
The number of candidates in the 451–500 range also grew, though at a slower pace, with increases seen in nearly every 10-point subrange. This steady rise suggests ongoing profile updates or new entries by qualified applicants. Meanwhile, the number of candidates with CRS scores below 400 remained relatively stable or declined slightly, which could indicate fewer low-scoring profiles being added or some expiring from the pool.
Current Trends in Express Entry Invitations
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued over 34,000 ITAs through 18 rounds of invitations. The majority of these draws have focused on specific groups, such as;
Candidates in the healthcare sector, French-speaking applicants, individuals with Canadian work experience, and provincial nominees.
There have been no all-program draws in 2025, which means that only candidates meeting specific criteria have been invited.
Some of the most notable draws this year include a March 21st round where 7,500 ITAs were issued to French-speaking candidates with CRS scores as low as 379, and a May 1st education sector draw that invited 1,000 candidates with a cut-off of 479. Other significant rounds targeted Canadian Experience Class applicants and various PNP nominees, often with higher CRS requirements ranging from 700 to over 800.
Implications for Future Candidates
The June 4 draw emphasises Canada’s ongoing reliance on category-based draws to meet labour needs in sectors like healthcare. A CRS score of 504 was required in this draw, suggesting that even targeted rounds are highly competitive. For most other categories, a score of 510 or higher may be necessary to receive an invitation.
Candidates with CRS scores around 450 may still have a chance, but only if they qualify under specific categories such as French language proficiency or certain in-demand occupations. Those without provincial nominations or targeted skill sets may face challenges in receiving invitations under the current system.
Looking ahead, IRCC is expected to continue this trend, with upcoming draws likely focusing on Canadian Experience Class or French-speaking candidates. These groups may see lower CRS cut-offs, ranging from 370 to 530, depending on the number of candidates and available spaces.
For all applicants, aligning profiles with Canada’s priority sectors remains key to increasing chances of selection
