CRS Shake-Up: What the Removal of Arranged Employment Points Means for Express Entry Candidates in 2025
In a major shift to the Canadian immigration system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made a crucial change to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to evaluate candidates in the Express Entry pool: the removal of CRS points for certain arranged employment titles.
This change, implemented in March 2025, has triggered a ripple effect across the entire Express Entry candidate pool, altering candidate competitiveness, lowering CRS cut-off scores, and redefining the strategic considerations for hopeful immigrants to Canada. In this article, we’ll break down the change, its impact on Express Entry scores, what it means for future draws, and how prospective immigrants should respond.
What Are Arranged Employment Points?
Under the Express Entry system, candidates could previously earn 50 to 200 additional CRS points if they had a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer. The number of points varied depending on the position and its associated NOC (National Occupation Classification) code:
- 50 points for a valid job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
- 200 points for senior managerial roles (e.g., NOC 00)
These points provided a significant boost in a highly competitive pool, often elevating a candidate’s score well above the average cut-off and fast-tracking their pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
What Changed in 2025?
On March 25, 2025, IRCC quietly implemented a significant change to the CRS structure: certain NOC titles were no longer eligible for arranged employment points. This meant that thousands of candidates lost the bonus 50 or 200 points they had previously earned through their job offers.
The change was part of a broader recalibration of the Express Entry system, aimed at ensuring a more equitable and skills-based selection process that aligns with labour market needs and Canada’s immigration goals.
How Did This Impact CRS Scores?
The removal of arranged employment points caused massive shifts in the distribution of CRS scores across the Express Entry pool. Here are the most significant impacts:
Score Redistribution
Many candidates who were previously in higher score brackets (due to the additional 50 or 200 points from job offers) were pushed down to lower brackets, significantly changing the makeup of the pool.
Between March 16 and April 14, 2025, IRCC data shows the following:
- 501–600 CRS range: Decreased by 5,740 profiles
- 491–500 range: Dropped by 1,618 profiles
- 481–490 range: Declined by 984 profiles
Cumulatively, that’s a net drop of 8,342 candidates from high-scoring ranges, most likely due to the removal of arranged employment points.
Score Ranges That Gained Candidates
Candidates whose scores were lowered as a result of this policy didn’t disappear — they were redistributed into lower ranges. Notable increases occurred in the following CRS brackets:
- 461–470: +2,157 candidates
- 451–460: +1,750
- 401–450: +5,814 (with largest increases in 441–450, 431–440, and 421–430)
This redistribution reshaped the profile of competition in the pool, making the mid-tier CRS ranges more crowded and competitive.
Summary Table: Changes in Express Entry Profiles (March 16 – April 14, 2025)
| CRS Score Range | Change in Profiles |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | +123 |
| 501–600 | -5,740 |
| 491–500 | -1,618 |
| 481–490 | -984 |
| 471–480 | +182 |
| 461–470 | +2,157 |
| 451–460 | +1,750 |
| 401–450 | +5,814 |
| 351–400 | +1,677 |
| 301–350 | +1,496 |
| 0–300 | +2,516 |
| Total | +7,373 |
Current Express Entry Pool Composition (As of April 14, 2025)
Despite this reshuffling, the total number of candidates in the Express Entry pool has grown to 244,282, the largest in over a year. Here’s the breakdown by score:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | 816 |
| 501–600 | 19,782 |
| 491–500 | 12,093 |
| 481–490 | 12,359 |
| 471–480 | 16,215 |
| 461–470 | 16,189 |
| 451–460 | 14,686 |
| 401–450 | 67,301 |
| 351–400 | 53,479 |
| 301–350 | 22,799 |
| 0–300 | 8,563 |
| Total | 244,282 |
Interestingly, the 501–600, 491–500, and 481–490 ranges now have nearly the same number of profiles as they did in December 2024, despite the Express Entry pool growing by more than 25,000 profiles in that time.
Why Did IRCC Make This Change?
There are a few key reasons behind IRCC’s decision to eliminate arranged employment points for specific NOC codes:
- Preventing Overrepresentation: Some candidates were leveraging questionable or low-impact job offers to boost their scores unfairly.
- Increasing Fairness: Removing the bonus points levels the playing field for candidates who may not have access to Canadian employers but still possess high-demand skills.
- Encouraging Merit-Based Selection: The policy shifts the focus to qualifications, work experience, education, and language skills — better aligning with Canada’s evolving labour needs.
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
If you’re an Express Entry candidate — or planning to become one — these changes are critical. Here’s how it affects your prospects:
1. Candidates With Job Offers
If your job offer no longer qualifies for CRS points:
- Your CRS score may drop by 50–200 points
- Your chances of receiving an ITA through general draws have likely decreased
- You should consider alternative strategies, like Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) or category-based draws
2. Candidates Without Job Offers
Good news! You’re now more competitive:
- Your CRS score may now fall within reach of cut-off scores
- More equitable draw results are likely to favour high-skilled candidates without employer backing
3. PNP Becomes More Attractive
Provincial programs will become a more essential pathway:
- Some provinces may now receive more applications from candidates whose Express Entry scores dropped
- PNP streams aligned with Express Entry can offer 600 points, greatly improving ITA chances
4. Category-Based Selection Gains Prominence
IRCC’s move supports its transition toward category-based Express Entry draws, such as:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- STEM fields
- Trades
- Transportation
- Agriculture and agri-food
What to Expect in Upcoming Draws
This shift is expected to impact how IRCC conducts Express Entry draws moving forward:
- Lower cut-off scores in general draws, as high-scoring candidates with job offers exit the top ranges
- More frequent category-based draws, targeting candidates with specific work experience or language skills
- Higher competition in mid-range CRS scores (450–490), making language tests, education upgrades, and Canadian experience more important
What Should You Do Now?
If you are already in the Express Entry pool or considering applying, here are the next steps:
1. Recalculate Your CRS Score
With the new policy in place, check if your job offer still provides CRS points. If not, recalculate your score to see where you now stand.
2. Strengthen Your Profile
Focus on:
- Improving IELTS or CELPIP language scores
- Gaining Canadian work experience (PGWP, co-op, or bridging open work permit)
- Getting educational credentials assessed (ECA)
- Exploring French-language testing for additional points
3. Explore PNP Opportunities
Several provinces are actively selecting candidates from the Express Entry pool. Look into:
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- British Columbia PNP (BCPNP)
4. Consider Category-Based Draw Eligibility
If you have experience in healthcare, STEM, trades, or agriculture, you may benefit from future category-based draws — even if your CRS is below typical cut-offs.
Need Help? Let Guide Me Immigration Assist You
Understanding how to navigate Canada’s ever-changing immigration system is challenging. Whether your score dropped due to this change or you’re just starting your journey, Guide Me Immigration is here to help you chart the best path forward.
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Website: www.guidemeimmigration.com
Call: +1 (306) 700 7440
Email: info@guidemeimmigration.com
Whether it’s recalculating your score, planning your next move, or submitting a new PR application, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Conclusion
The removal of CRS points for arranged employment marks a significant evolution in Canada’s immigration strategy — one that emphasizes merit, equity, and category-specific needs. While some candidates have seen their scores decline, others may find new opportunities in this reshaped system.
Stay informed. Stay proactive. And most importantly — don’t navigate it alone. Partner with trusted immigration professionals to ensure your application stands the best chance of success.
Other Link:http://canesl.ca
