Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system is set for major adjustments in 2025, signaling a strategic reshaping of the country’s immigration priorities. Following sweeping changes introduced in 2024, the federal government is placing increased emphasis on Express Entry as its primary economic immigration pathway.
According to Canada’s latest immigration levels plan, the number of permanent residents to be admitted under federal economic programs is set to rise to 124,590 in 2025—up from 110,770 in 2024. This escalation comes in the context of an overall 20% reduction in immigration targets countrywide, underscoring a shift toward centralized, federally-controlled admissions.
The reallocation has also led to a redistribution of immigration streams. The Federal High-Skilled (FHS) category—which includes Express Entry—will account for 31.5% of total planned admissions in 2025, a significant increase from 22.8% in 2024. In contrast, allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are being scaled back sharply, from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025.
This indicates that Express Entry will become the main gateway for skilled workers aiming to immigrate to Canada. With fewer positions available through provincial channels, applicants will need to focus more heavily on improving their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in the federal pool.
Adding to the major policy shifts, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced in December 2024 that CRS points for job offers will be temporarily removed beginning in spring 2025. Previously, applicants could receive an additional 50 or 200 points depending on the position. This change will only affect candidates in the pool at the time of its implementation, not those with ongoing or past profiles.
Although positioned as a temporary measure, there is currently no timeline for when CRS points for job offers might be reinstated. This adjustment could lower scores for many candidates already in the pool and make Express Entry invitations more competitive. However, the overall impact on CRS cutoffs remains uncertain, particularly given the more prominent role Express Entry is set to play in Canada’s broader immigration strategy.
Candidates planning to immigrate to Canada in 2025 should revisit their Express Entry profiles and assess how these structural shifts could affect their eligibility. With Express Entry now absorbing more economic immigration capacity, focus on education, language ability, Canadian work experience, and other core human capital factors could become even more critical for success.
Maple News continues to monitor these developments closely, providing expert insights and guidance as the changes unfold throughout 2025.