Express Entry is Canada’s points system. You make a profile, and get a CRS score for age, education, work, and language proficiency. IRCC runs an Express Entry draw and sends Invitations to Apply (ITA) to the top scores.
Draws usually happen about every two weeks, but there is no fixed schedule. IRCC runs rounds throughout the year when needed.
Every draw has a CRS cut-off. If your CRS is at or above the cut-off, you can get an invitations to apply (ITA). Cut-offs change by draw type and date.
Recent examples:
- French-language draw: October 6, 2025: 4,500 ITAs, CRS 432.
- Education draw: September 19, 2025: 2,500 ITAs, CRS 462.
- CEC draw: September 3, 2025: 1,000 ITAs, CRS 534.
✅ Notice: PNP-only draws are high (often 700+) because a nomination adds 600 points
What is an Express Entry Draw?
In a draw, IRCC picks people from the pool and sends ITAs. The number of ITAs and the cut-off score change each time. IRCC also uses different round types:
- General (any Express Entry program)
- Program-specific (for example, PNP-only)
- Category-based (targeted skills or French)
Category-Based Draws
IRCC now runs many category-based draws. You must still qualify for Express Entry and meet the category rules. Current categories (2025) are: French-language, Healthcare & Social Services, STEM, Trades, Agriculture & Agri-food, and Education. How eligibility works:
- French-language: French test at CLB 7 in all abilities
- All occupation categories (Healthcare, STEM, Trades, Agriculture, Education): At least 6 months of continuous full-time (or equal part-time) work experience in one eligible NOC in the last 3 years (in Canada or abroad)
French-Language Proficiency
- Trend (2025): Often the lowest CRS among categories (e.g., 432 on Oct 6, 2025)
- Who it’s for: Candidates with strong French (CLB 7+)
- Why it matters: Canada aims to grow Francophone communities outside Québec
Healthcare & Social Services
- Typical result (2025): Recent cut-offs have been around the high-460s to 470s (for example, 470 on Aug 19, 2025)
- Who it’s for: Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, lab techs, social workers, and similar roles listed by IRCC
STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Who it’s for: Engineers, IT/cybersecurity, technologists, and other listed STEM jobs
- What to know: Needs 6+ months in a listed STEM NOC. Cut-offs vary by round instructions
Trades
- Who it’s for: Electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, and other listed trades
- Typical result (2025): Mid-to-high 400s / low 500s (for example, 505 on Sept 18, 2025)
Agriculture & Agri-Food
- Who it’s for: Jobs like butchers, agricultural techs, and other listed roles
- What to know: 6+ months in an eligible NOC in the last 3 years
Education
- Who it’s for: Teachers, ECEs, teacher assistants, and instructors of persons with disabilities (specific NOCs listed by IRCC)
- Trend (2025): Newer category; CRS 462 on Sept 19, 2025
Recent Draws History
Here is a full list of all Express Entry draws in 2025. We show the draw number, date, type, ITAs, and CRS cut-off. Dates, types, ITAs, and CRS are taken from. Draw numbers follow IRCC’s Round # system (for example, Round #371 on October 6, 2025), counted backwards one by one for earlier draws.
| Round # | Date (2025) | Draw type | ITAs | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 376 | Oct 29 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 416 |
| 375 | Oct 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| 374 | Oct 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| 373 | Oct 15 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 472 |
| 372 | Oct 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| 371 | Oct 6 | French-language (category) | 4,500 | 432 |
| 370 | Oct 1 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,000 | 534 |
| 369 | Sep 29 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 291 | 855 |
| 368 | Sep 18 | Trades (category) | 1,250 | 505 |
| 367 | Sep 17 | Education (category) | 2,500 | 462 |
| 366 | Sep 15 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 228 | 746 |
| 365 | Sep 4 | French-language (category) | 4,500 | 446 |
| 364 | Sep 3 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,000 | 534 |
| 363 | Sep 2 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 249 | 772 |
| 362 | Aug 19 | Healthcare & Social Services (category) | 2,500 | 470 |
| 361 | Aug 18 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 192 | 800 |
| 360 | Aug 8 | French-language (category) | 2,500 | 481 |
| 359 | Aug 7 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,000 | 534 |
| 358 | Aug 6 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 225 | 739 |
| 357 | Jul 22 | Healthcare & Social Services (category) | 4,000 | 475 |
| 356 | Jul 21 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 202 | 788 |
| 355 | Jul 8 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 3,000 | 518 |
| 354 | Jul 7 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 356 | 750 |
| 353 | Jun 26 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 3,000 | 521 |
| 352 | Jun 23 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 503 | 742 |
| 351 | Jun 12 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 3,000 | 529 |
| 350 | Jun 10 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 125 | 784 |
| 349 | Jun 4 | Healthcare & Social Services (category) | 500 | 504 |
| 348 | Jun 2 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 277 | 726 |
| 347 | May 13 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 500 | 547 |
| 346 | May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 511 | 706 |
| 345 | May 2 | Healthcare & Social Services (category) | 500 | 510 |
| 344 | May 1 | Education (category) | 1,000 | 479 |
| 343 | Apr 28 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 421 | 727 |
| 342 | Apr 14 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 825 | 764 |
| 341 | Mar 21 | French-language (category) | 7,500 | 379 |
| 340 | Mar 17 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 536 | 736 |
| 339 | Mar 6 | French-language (category) | 4,500 | 410 |
| 338 | Mar 3 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 725 | 667 |
| 337 | Feb 19 | French-language (category) | 6,500 | 428 |
| 336 | Feb 17 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 646 | 750 |
| 335 | Feb 5 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 521 |
| 334 | Feb 4 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 455 | 802 |
| 333 | Jan 23 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 527 |
| 332 | Jan 8 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1,350 | 542 |
| 331 | Jan 7 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 471 | 793 |
What does “good chance” look like right now?
- The French language is very competitive with a lower CRS (e.g., 432). If you have strong French, this can help
- Education also showed a moderate cut-off (462)
- Healthcare and Trades vary; some rounds were 470–505 in recent months
- CEC rounds are higher (around 534 this fall)
- PNP-only rounds stay high because nominees already have extra points
Tip: Draw timing and cut-offs change. Always check the latest IRCC “Rounds of Invitations” page before you plan.
Next Draws: 2026 Prediction
IRCC will likely keep running an Express Entry draw about every two weeks, often mid-week. There is no fixed schedule, and dates can change.
Why draws may change in 2026:
- Immigration Levels Plan: Canada set targets for 2025–2027. The plan also raises Francophone goals in 2026. This can shape how many ITAs go to each group.
- Labour needs: IRCC picks categories to meet real job gaps. Categories can be updated each year.
What types of draws to expect:
- General or program-specific (for example, PNP-only), still possible when IRCC needs it.
- Category-based, likely the main focus again (as in 2025).
Categories to watch in 2026:
- French-language: Strong chance of frequent rounds because Canada wants more French-speaking residents outside Québec (higher targets in 2026). Cut-offs may be lower than other draws.
- Education: New in 2025; may continue if schools still need staff. Expect moderate cut-offs if repeated.
- Healthcare & Social Services: Ongoing need; expect regular category rounds.
- STEM: IRCC created this to support tech and engineering roles; likely to continue.
- Trades: Canada still needs skilled trades; draws may repeat.
- Agriculture & Agri-food: Used to fill farm and food jobs; could appear when needed.
CRS outlook, based on 2025 patterns
- Lower CRS likely in French and sometimes in Education rounds.
- Mid to higher CRS in Healthcare, STEM, Trades, depending on demand.
- Very high CRS for PNP-only (because nominees get +600).
Cuts will still move up and down with the pool. Check each new round
Tips to Increase Your Chance
You can raise your CRS and fit more draws. Use the steps below.
1. Improve language results
- Retake IELTS/CELPIP (English) or TEF/TCF (French)
- Higher scores = more CRS
- For the French category, aim for CLB 7 in all skills
2. Add French (if you can)
- Even basic study helps over time
- Strong French can open category-based draws with lower cut-offs
3. Check your NOC and category fit
- Pick the correct NOC for your job
- For categories (Healthcare, STEM, Trades, Agriculture, Education), you usually need 6+ months of continuous work in one eligible NOC in the last 3 years
4. Grow work experience
- More full-time years can raise CRS
- Canadian work experience helps with CEC-type draws
5. Strengthen education points
- Get an ECA for all foreign degrees
- A second post-secondary credential (1+ year) can lift CRS
6. Use the spouse/partner strategy (if married)
- Choose the stronger profile as the principal applicant
- Spouse language test and ECA can add extra points
7. Get a valid job offer (if possible)
- A supported job offer can add CRS points (often 50–200, job-level dependent)
8. Target a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- A PNP nomination gives a large CRS boost (about +600)
- Look for PNPs that match your job, language, or region
9. Keep your profile fresh
- Update after any change: new job, degree, test score, marriage, or baby
- Do not let language tests or police checks expire
10. Prepare documents early
- Collect work letters with duties that match your NOC
- Keep proof of funds, passports, ECA, and test reports ready
- After an ITA, the deadline is short, so be ready to upload fast
Avoid common mistakes
- Wrong NOC code or wrong dates
- Duties in letters that do not match your NOC
- Missing info for spouse or dependants
- Typos in names, passport numbers, or dates
Final Thoughts
Express Entry draws change. There is no fixed calendar. Review your category fit and CRS. Small steps help: improve your language scores (add French if you can), review your NOC, expand your work experience, and explore a PNP. Keep your profile valid and your documents ready. If you stay active and informed, your chance of an ITA goes up.
FAQs
It is a round where IRCC invites top-scoring profiles from the pool to apply for PR.
“Invitation to Apply.” If you get it, you can submit your PR application.
Usually, about every two weeks, but there is no fixed schedule.
It is the minimum CRS score picked for that draw. If your score is the same or higher, you can get an ITA.
If many people share the cut-off score, IRCC uses a date and time. Profiles created earlier get priority.
General: open to all Express Entry programs.
Program-specific: e.g., PNP-only.
Category-based: targets skills (Healthcare, STEM, Trades, Agriculture, Education) or French.
No. But French can help, especially in French-language category draws.
Improve language scores, get an ECA for all degrees, gain more skilled work, or get a PNP nomination (+600 points).
No. A job offer is not required, but a valid, supported job offer can add CRS points.
No. Quebec has its own immigration programs.
Retake the test early. An expired test can make your profile ineligible or delay your PR file.
heck IRCC’s Rounds of Invitations page and trusted news summaries. Always verify the newest round before you plan.
Try quick wins: retake a language test, review your NOC and duties, consider French study, and look at PNP options.
Yes. IRCC can change timing and draw type based on targets and labour needs.
You have a short deadline (set by IRCC). Keep documents ready so you can submit on time.
