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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.
Here is a complete breakdown of Express Entry draws since they were introduced in 2015:
In 2024, we saw 52 Express Entry draws, in the following categories:
Going into 2025, we expect Express Entry draws to take place every 2 weeks, which will comprise of CEC, PNP and category-based draws (Healthcare, Trade and French- Language Proficiency).
Based on the information in the latest immigration levels plan, it is clear that Express Entry draws for 2025 will focus on Canadian Experience Class candidates as well as applicants with French language ability or those who have work experience in a Healthcare or Trade occupation.
Given the target for PNP applicants has been slashed by over 50%, we expect smaller PNP draws in 2025.
Considering the competition in the pool, we expect the CRS score for all draw types to be similar to that of 2024.
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 December 16, 2024, there were a total of 221,310 candidates in the Express Entry pool. 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.
IRCC does not publish a date for the next Express Entry draw therefore it is not possible to know for certain when the next Express Entry draw will take place but there are patterns in how IRCC conduct draws. For more information on this, check out our dedicated page on when is the next Express Entry draw.
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.
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