January 31, 2025, marks the tenth anniversary of Canada’s Express Entry system, a groundbreaking change in the country’s immigration process. Since its launch in 2015, Express Entry has not only simplified and streamlined the immigration process but also reshaped the entire landscape of Canada’s skilled immigration system. Over the past decade, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more than 800,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR). This article delves into the journey of Express Entry, its evolution over the years, and the changing priorities in Canada’s immigration policies.

1. Canada's Express Entry: A Decade of
Transformation and Evolution
January 31, 2025, marks the tenth anniversary of Canada’s Express Entry system, a groundbreaking
change in the country’s immigration process. Since its launch in 2015, Express Entry has not only
simplified and streamlined the immigration process but also reshaped the entire landscape of Canada’s
skilled immigration system. Over the past decade, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
has issued more than 800,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR). This article
delves into the journey of Express Entry, its evolution over the years, and the changing priorities in
Canada’s immigration policies.
The Pre-Express Entry Immigration System
Before Express Entry, Canada’s immigration system for skilled workers was primarily based on a first-
come, first-served model. Foreign nationals seeking to apply for permanent residency under the Federal
Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class
(CEC) were required to submit their applications directly to the federal government. As long as the
applicant met the eligibility requirements, they could apply and expect to receive permanent residency
upon approval.
However, this process had significant flaws. Most notably, it resulted in a substantial backlog of
applications. At one point, the average processing time for a PR application was as long as seven years,
leading to frustration for both applicants and Canadian businesses. The backlog created a delay in
admitting skilled workers who were urgently needed in various sectors of the Canadian economy.
Moreover, the first-come, first-served system also meant that many applicants had to wait for years
before they could even know if their application would be processed, only to find that by the time their
application was reviewed, their qualifications or work experience were no longer valid.
The Problem with the Old System
Between 2012 and 2013, the Canadian government made a drastic move by returning thousands of
Federal Skilled Worker applications without processing them. Applicants were refunded their application
fees, but this decision created significant uncertainty and frustration among those who had already
invested time and money into the process.
This backlog crisis and inefficiency highlighted the need for a more effective and streamlined
immigration system, one that could address both the increasing demand for skilled workers and the
ever-growing pool of applicants. The Canadian government realized that it needed a system that was
more responsive to Canada’s changing labor market needs and could deliver results more efficiently.

2. How Express Entry Transformed Canada’s Immigration Process
The Express Entry system revolutionized Canada’s immigration framework by introducing a competitive,
points-based approach. It selects candidates for permanent residency (PR) from a pool, prioritizing those
with the highest scores.
How Express Entry Works
To apply for PR through Express Entry, individuals must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by
creating an online profile. Their profile is then assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS),
which assigns a score out of 1200 based on several factors:
 Age
 Education level
 Language skills
 Work experience
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry draws at regular intervals.
In each draw, a specific number of top-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for PR. The
lowest CRS score selected in each draw is referred to as the "cut-off score."
One of the biggest advantages of Express Entry is its efficiency. High-scoring candidates can advance
quickly through the system, often receiving PR within six months.
Additionally, the system allows provinces and employers to access a pool of skilled candidates, helping
them address labor market shortages.
Currently, Express Entry manages applications for:
 Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
 Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
 Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
 A portion of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Launch of Express Entry in 2015
When Express Entry was introduced in January 2015, the first CRS cut-off score was an astonishing 886
points. However, as more draws were conducted, the threshold began to decline. By mid-2015, it had
dropped to 463.
By the end of that year, IRCC had issued 31,000 ITAs, and 10,000 new permanent residents had
successfully landed in Canada. The system met its processing targets, with 80% of applications being
finalized within six months.

3. Key Changes in Express Entry Over the Years
Changes to Job Offer Points
Initially, a valid job offer in Canada could add 600 points to an applicant’s CRS score. This led to
extremely high cut-off scores in early draws.
In 2016, the system was revised to make the process fairer:
 50 points for job offers in NOC 0, A, or B occupations
 200 points for job offers in NOC 00 occupations
However, in December 2024, IRCC announced the complete removal of job offer points from the CRS.
This change is set to take effect in Spring 2025 and aims to prevent fraud and make the system more
equitable.
Higher Points for Education
Also in 2016, Express Entry began awarding additional points for education:
 15 points for a one- to two-year diploma or certificate
 30 points for a degree, diploma, or certificate of three years or more, or a master’s or doctoral
degree
Tie-Breaking Rule Implementation
Introduced in 2017, the tie-breaking rule helps IRCC decide between candidates with identical CRS
scores. The candidate who submitted their profile earlier gets priority.
Encouraging French-Speaking Immigrants
To promote bilingualism, Express Entry introduced extra points for French language proficiency in June
2017. Candidates scoring NCLC 7 or higher in all four French language skills receive:
 30 additional points (if they score CLB 5 or higher in English)
 15 additional points (if their English score is below CLB 5)
French language proficiency later became a key category for selection-based draws in 2023.
Additional Points for Siblings in Canada
Since 2017, candidates have received extra CRS points if they or their accompanying spouse have a
sibling in Canada who is a citizen or PR. This change was made to strengthen family connections and
support the integration of newcomers.
Category-Based Draws Introduced in 2023
In a significant policy shift, IRCC launched category-based draws in 2023. These draws target candidates
who meet criteria for specific economic categories.

4. The categories currently in use are:
 French-language proficiency
 Healthcare occupations
 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
 Trade occupations
 Transport occupations
 Agriculture and agri-food occupations
These draws often have lower CRS cut-off scores, making it easier for candidates in high-demand fields
or with French proficiency to receive ITAs.
The goal of this change was to address labor shortages in key industries and increase the number of
French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.
Impact of COVID-19 on Express Entry
The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant disruptions to Express Entry. During the early months of the
crisis, general draws were paused due to travel restrictions.
However, IRCC continued to invite candidates through targeted Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws.
As application backlogs increased, general draws were suspended for 18 months. When they resumed
in July 2022, CRS scores fluctuated significantly.
One of the most extraordinary draws occurred on February 13, 2021, when IRCC issued 27,332 ITAs in a
single draw—setting the lowest CRS cut-off ever at 75 points.
Current Trends in Express Entry (2024-2025)
By mid-2024, IRCC increased the frequency of draws focused on PNP, CEC, and French-language
proficiency, leading to higher CRS cut-off scores for CEC candidates.
 The lowest CEC cut-off in 2024 was 507 points
 The highest CEC cut-off was 547 points
Upcoming Express Entry Changes in 2025
Prioritizing Candidates Already in Canada
Since 2016, Express Entry has increasingly favored candidates with Canadian work experience.
In May 2024, CEC draws became more frequent, and the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan reinforced
this trend.

5. Under the new plan, nearly half of all PR admissions in 2025 will prioritize candidates already residing
in Canada. This aligns with the government’s goal of reducing the number of temporary residents from
7% to 5% by 2026 by converting more temporary workers into permanent residents.
Federal Economic Priorities
The 2025 Immigration Levels Plan divides the Federal High-Skilled category into:
1. In-Canada Focus (candidates already living in Canada)
2. Federal Economic Priorities (candidates with expertise in specific fields)
For 2025, Federal Economic Priorities will focus on:
 Healthcare occupations
 Trade occupations
 French-language proficiency
This policy will be implemented through category-based draws, increasing the number of ITAs issued in
these categories.
Express Entry Will Play a Bigger Role in Immigration
The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan has significantly increased the number of PR spots allocated to
Express Entry while reducing allocations for PNP.
Year Express Entry Allocation PNP Allocation
2024 Plan 117,500 120,000
2025 Plan 124,680 55,000
Express Entry will now account for 53.72% of Canada’s economic immigration, up from 39% in previous
plans.
This shift shows the federal government’s intent to regain control over economic immigration rather
than allowing provinces to drive selection through PNP.
Final Thoughts
The Express Entry system remains Canada’s primary tool for selecting skilled immigrants. Over the past
decade, it has evolved significantly to address labor shortages, economic demands, and demographic
needs.
With upcoming changes in 2025, candidates already living in Canada and those with experience in high-
demand fields will have a greater chance of receiving PR. Meanwhile, the removal of job offer points and
increased focus on Express Entry suggest that the system will continue to adapt in response to Canada’s
evolving immigration landscape.