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Read our full analysis of this draw on our dedicated page.
An Express Entry draw is the process used by conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to select profiles from the Express Entry pool and invite them to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
During an Express Entry draw, IRCC selects candidates from the Express Entry pool based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and other factors, like work experience or language proficiency. Those who meet or exceed the CRS score cutoff set for that particular draw are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Draw Number: Identifies the sequence of the current draw.
Date of the Draw: Specifies when the draw took place, helping applicants track trends.
Program/Category: Indicates the specific Express Entry program or category targeted by the draw.
CRS Cut-Off Score: The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Number of ITAs Issued: The total number of applicants who received an ITA in that draw.
Tie-Breaking Rule: Applied when multiple candidates have the same CRS cut-off score; it prioritizes those who submitted their profiles earlier by setting a specific date and time. Only candidates who submitted their profiles before this timestamp receive an ITA.
IRCC conducts three main types of Express Entry draws. These are:
General Rounds of Invitations: These draws invite top-ranking candidates across all three Express Entry programs—Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—without targeting specific groups.
Program-Specific Rounds: These draws focus on candidates eligible for a particular Express Entry program. For example, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws exclusively invite candidates nominated by a province or territory, and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws exclusively invite candidates who qualify for the Canadian Experience Class program.
Category-Based Rounds: These draws target candidates with specific skills or attributes that align with Canada’s economic needs. The Minister of Immigration defines categories annually, with the following categories identified: Healthcare, STEM, Trades, Transport, and French-language proficiency. Although these six categories remain eligible for Category- based section, IRCC has said they will prioritise Healthcare, Trades, and French-language proficiency for 2025.
Each type of draw helps Canada meet its immigration and labor market priorities efficiently.
IRCC follows a pattern of one week with multiple draws, followed by a week off. However, this schedule is subject to change. For our latest predictions on Express Entry draws for 2025, visit our dedicated page.
Looking ahead, we anticipate significant shifts in Express Entry draws based on Canada’s 2025–2027 immigration levels plan. PNP draws are expected to decline sharply, with fewer invitations issued due to a major reduction in PNP admissions targets. However, their biweekly frequency is likely to remain steady. CEC draws may become more prominent, with larger invitation numbers per draw, as Canada prioritizes in-Canada applicants. Category-based draws will continue, with one to two per month, emphasizing candidates in Healthcare, Trades, and French-language proficiency. Given this shift in focus, we anticipate that general/all-program draws may be discontinued in 2025.
Although it is still very early days, based on the Immigration levels plan, we expect around 90,000 to 110,000 ITAs to be issued this year. This is in line with the number of ITAs issued in 2024.
It has been a slow start to the year for Express Entry draws, with only 4 taking place so far.
This graph presents an overview of recent Express Entry draws, highlighting the CRS cut-off scores and the number of ITAs issued in each draw.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based tool used by Canadian immigration authorities to evaluate and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is made up of four main sections, each contributing to a candidate’s total score out of 1,200 points. The allocation of points depends on whether the candidate is single or applying with a spouse/common-law partner. Here’s a breakdown of each section:
Points are awarded for age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience. Younger candidates (20-29) and those with higher education and strong language skills receive more points. If applying with a spouse, up to 40 additional points are awarded for the spouse’s education, language skills, and Canadian work experience.
This section rewards education and foreign work experience when combined with language proficiency or Canadian work experience. Candidates can earn up to 100 points, which can significantly boost their CRS score.
Extra points are given for factors that improve a candidate’s immigration chances. A Provincial Nomination (600 points) provides the biggest advantage, while a job offer (50-200 points), Canadian education (15-30 points), French proficiency (up to 50 points), or having a sibling in Canada (15 points) can also add points.
You can learn more about the CRS score breakdown on our dedicated page.
CRS points are awarded based on age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Each of these factors influences your final score and determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool.
There are several ways to increase your CRS score, depending on your profile and eligibility. The number of additional points you can gain varies, but there are proven strategies that can help maximize your score.
Take a look at our dedicated page which covers both short-term and long-term ways you can increase your CRS score.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for Express Entry has remained high through 2024 and will likely continue into 2025 draws. This is due to several key factors.
Firstly, category-based draws, which have seen significant allocations of invitations for 2024, contribute to maintaining high CRS cut offs.
Second, there are high numbers of temporary residents within Canada, many of whom are eligible for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, further intensifying competition.
Third, Canada remains a top destination for newcomers, which drives strong demand for Express Entry. We can see the high demand for Express Entry in the candidate pool results.
Together, these factors pushed the CRS cut-off up in 2024, and this will continue into 2025.
The following table shows the recent distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool. As of February 4, 2025 2024, there were a total of 232,713 candidates in the Express Entry pool, a slight decrease in candidates compared to the last update. Here is how this draw looks in relation to the current CRS distribution:
For more tips on how your CRS score compares, check out our analysis of the current Express Entry pool.
In the history of Express Entry, the following CRS score cut-off records have taken place:
Once an applicant enter the Express Entry system, they are given a CRS score. Applicants are selected from the Express Entry pool during Express Entry draws, where IRCC issue invitations to apply (ITA) to candidates with the highest ranking CRS score.
The CRS cut off is determined by the number of Express Entry profiles IRCC wish to issue an ITA to in the draw. Once they have determined the number of ITA’s they wish to issue, they simply invite that number starting with the highest ranking applicants and going down the list. The CRS cut off becomes the CRS cut off score the last invited applicant.
The CRS score for Express Entry is calculated based on factors such as skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other criteria. Moving2Canada’s CRS calculator will offer you a comprehensive and personalized breakdown of your points based on those key factors.
Want to improve your Express Entry CRS score? See our updated guide for tips you might not have thought of yet.
Express Entry draws are less predictable than they once were. With the introduction of category-based draws, IRCC conducts multiple draws throughout the week but tends to group the draws to have one week of draws and one week without draws.
The quickest way to find out when an Express Entry draw has taken place is to create a free Moving2Canada account and sign up for our newsletter.
Like the frequency of draws, the time of day draws happen varies. IRCC use universal time, and generally conduct draws in the afternoon.
There is no minimum score needed to enter the Express Entry pool. Anyone, irrespective of their CRS can enter the Express Entry pool so long as they are eligible for an immigration program that uses the Express Entry pool. The only points requirement is that required to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW). Applicants who wish to immigrate through the FSW program must be able to demonstrate they score at least 67 points in the FSW eligibility grid.
Express Entry profiles are selected from the Express Entry pool based on their CRS score. The CRS cut-off score depends on the specific draw. For all program draws, the cut-off will likely be around 500 whereas for category-based draws, the cut-off can be substantially lower than this depending on the category. For example, French speakers in the Express Entry pool may be selected with a CRS cut-off as low as 336.
The largest Express Entry draw took place on February 13th 2021 and saw 27,332 Canadian Experience Class applicants receive and ITA. The CRS cut off for this draw was 75. This draws remains the largest draw ever to have taken place and also holds the title of the lowest CRS score ever invited.
IRCC has conducted several CEC draws in the last couple of months, a welcome addition to those in Canada. During these CEC draws, more invitations are issued than in other types of draws IRCC conducts.
The 2025-2027 immigration levels plan allocates over 80,000 spots for in-Canada applicants. With this, we expect IRCC to continue CEC draws in 2025.
IRCC has not conducted a general, all-program draw since April 23rd, 2024. This draw had a CRS cut-off of 529. The lowest CRS score we have seen in a general, all-program draw this year is 524. Understandably, those waiting for a general draw are wondering 2 things: when is the next general draw and what will the CRS cut-off be.
It is impossible to tell when the next general draw will be although the 2025-2027 immigration levels suggest that there may be no general draw in 2025. As we have not seen a general draw in over 8 months, if there is one in 2025, we expect the CRS cut-off to be extremely high.
Since Express Entry category-based draws were introduced last summer, more invitations have been issued under the French language category draws. This dwarfs any other category, with the healthcare category in second place.
The 2025-2027 immigration levels plan states an intention to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants and also allocates 41,700 spots for category-based draws, in Healthcare and Trade Occupations and French Language Proficiency. Here is how we think this will be distributed:
If you are invited, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is your chance to apply for Canadian immigration.
You have 60 days to respond to your ITA. Once you have submitted an application, you may receive a decision on your application at any time. IRCC’s standard is six months, but it may take more or less time.
If you are approved, you will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Then it’s just a matter of following IRCC’s instructions to officially become a permanent resident of Canada!
To see if you are eligible for Express Entry, take the free Canada Immigration Quiz.
IRCC publishes Express Entry draw information as soon as it happens. You can stay informed by checking the official IRCC website or subscribing to Canadian immigration newsletters for updates directly in your inbox. Moving2Canada also provides detailed draw information and analysis, helping you understand what each draw could mean for you. To receive these updates, sign up for the Moving2Canada newsletter through your Moving2Canada account.
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