Curious about the Express Entry pool before IRCC removed arranged employment points? I recently obtained exclusive data from IRCC’s Research and Data Branch, and the findings are eye-opening!
This analysis provides a final snapshot of the Express Entry system before the April 2025 changes, helping candidates and consultants adjust their strategies.
As of March 19, 2025, the Express Entry pool included:
| Category | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 50 Points (LMIA-based job offer) | 36,150 |
| 200 Points (LMIA-exempt job offer) | 1,020 |
| Total with Arranged Employment (AE) | 37,170 |
| Country | Candidates (50 pts) | Candidates (200 pts) | Total (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 22,815 | 465 | 62.6% |
| Philippines | 3,340 | - | 9.0% |
| China | 1,300 | 145 | 3.9% |
| Mexico | 670 | - | 1.8% |
| South Korea | 635 | - | 1.7% |
These 5 countries accounted for 79% of all AE-point candidates.
Other notable countries: Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, UK, Vietnam, Iran.
How many candidates met the Minimum Entry Criteria (MEC) for each program?
| Program | No AE Points | 50 AE Points | 200 AE Points | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | 148,505 | 23,300 | 935 | 172,740 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 120,220 | 33,400 | 290 | 153,910 |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | 445 | 6,720 | - | 7,165 |
Important Note: Many candidates qualify under multiple programs, so totals are not mutually exclusive.
Out of all candidates who met MEC:
Why does this matter?
FSW remains dominant, but CEC has grown—likely due to more temporary workers transitioning to PR.
FST candidates are rare, making this a potential nicve pathway for skilled tradespeople.
With arranged employment points removed, CRS strategies must shift. Here’s what to focus on:
1 year Canadian + 1 year foreign work experience often yields more points than 2 years of only Canadian experience.
Bilingual candidates (French + English) gain up to 50 extra CRS points.
Target French-language draws, which have lower CRS cut-offs.
Healthcare, STEM, Trades, and French proficiency are IRCC’s top priorities.
Align your profile with in-demand occupations.
Some applicants may feel pressured to exaggerate experience or language skills.
As RCICs, we must guide clients toward truthful, compliant applications.
Category-based draws will play a bigger role in 2025.
French proficiency and skilled trades may see more invitations.
CRS scores may drop in targeted draws, so optimize your profile now!
At CTIV, we specialize in CRS optimization and ethical immigration consulting.
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The removal of arranged employment points changes the game—but with the right strategy, your Canadian PR dream is still within reach!
Stay informed, stay compliant, and let’s make your immigration journey a success.
CTIV Immigration | Regulated by CICC | RCIC Sanjay Prasher
Data sourced from IRCC’s Research and Data Branch (March 2025).
To work in Canada on a temporary basis, foreign workers need the work permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approve Canada work visas under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
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