What Is Wrong with Express Entry?

Canada’s Express Entry system, launched in 2015, has been the cornerstone of economic immigration, designed to efficiently select skilled workers for permanent residence. It uses a points-based ranking system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates on factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills.

While Express Entry has successfully brought tens of thousands of skilled immigrants to Canada, as of June 2025, several structural issues and emerging challenges raise important concerns for applicants.

High CRS Cut-Off Scores Make It Difficult to Qualify

Express Entry candidates compete in a large pool, where only those with the highest CRS scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs). In recent years, the cut-off scores have trended upwards, making it harder for many qualified candidates to receive an ITA.

• In early 2025, draws focused on candidates with provincial nominations (PNP) had cut-offs exceeding 660 points, while general draws for the Federal Skilled Worker Program hovered around 410 to 470 points.

• Notably, a March 6, 2025 draw targeting French-speaking candidates invited 4,500 people with a cut-off CRS score of 410—the lowest in almost a year—highlighting how rare lower score draws have become.

This highly competitive environment favors candidates with strong Canadian ties, such as work experience or provincial nominations, disadvantaging newcomers from abroad who lack these connections.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Are a Double-Edged Sword

Provincial Nominee Programs have become crucial to improving CRS scores because a nomination adds 600 points, almost guaranteeing an ITA. However, the availability and accessibility of PNP streams vary widely across provinces.

• Provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta have active Express Entry-linked streams, while others offer fewer or more restrictive options.

• The competition for these nominations is intense, with many candidates unable to secure a nomination due to quotas or specific criteria.

As a result, candidates without provincial nominations face an uphill battle, especially since the Federal Skilled Worker stream alone often requires very high CRS scores.

Complex and Demanding Documentation Process

Express Entry requires detailed documentation to prove eligibility, including:

• Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) to verify foreign degrees.

• Language proficiency test results (IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF for French).

• Proof of continuous, relevant work experience with detailed employer letters.

• Police clearance certificates and medical exams.

For many applicants, especially those from countries with complex bureaucracies, gathering and properly organizing this paperwork is a significant challenge. Any inaccuracies or missing documents can lead to application delays or refusals, costing valuable time and money.

Frequent Policy and Program Changes Cause Confusion

Canadian immigration policies evolve regularly, affecting the Express Entry system’s operation and candidate strategies.

• For example, in March 2025, the government removed CRS points for valid job offers requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a move that altered the competitiveness of many candidates.

• Language proficiency points, French-language bonuses, and program priorities frequently shift based on economic and political priorities.

This fluid policy environment creates uncertainty, making it difficult for candidates to plan their applications and increasing the risk of wasted effort on now less-competitive profiles.

Mismatch Between Labor Market Needs and Express Entry Priorities

Despite Canada's stated priorities for immigration to fill labor shortages in sectors like healthcare, trades, and technology, Express Entry does not always align perfectly with these needs.

• Some in-demand occupations require provincial nominations or specific credentials that many foreign-trained workers lack.

• Semi-skilled workers, caregivers, and those in less traditional occupations often cannot qualify through Express Entry, limiting Canada’s ability to address labor market gaps quickly.

This gap between economic reality and immigration policy limits the system’s effectiveness and fairness.

Limited Consideration of Humanitarian and Family Factors

Express Entry focuses exclusively on economic factors, without direct consideration for humanitarian needs or family reunification priorities. Other immigration streams handle these cases but often involve longer wait times and more complex processes.

Applicants with family in Canada, refugee backgrounds, or unique personal circumstances may find Express Entry unsuitable or inaccessible.