Express Entry Draw History 2025

1. What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is IRCC’s online system for managing applications to three federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

2. How does Express Entry work?

• Create an online profile with your age, education, work experience, and language proficiency
• IRCC assesses your eligibility for one or more programs
• Enter the pool and receive a CRS score
• IRCC holds regular draws—highest-scoring candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs)
• You have 60 days to submit a complete application
• IRCC makes a final decision (typically within 6 months)

3. What are the three Express Entry programs?

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Foreign work experience (minimum 1 year in last 10 years), CLB 7 language proficiency required.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Canadian work experience (minimum 1 year in last 3 years), CLB 7 for management/professional roles, CLB 5 for technical/trade roles.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Skilled trades with 2 years experience in last 5 years, plus valid job offer or certificate of qualification, CLB 5 speaking/listening and CLB 4 reading/writing.

4. Do I need a job offer to qualify for Express Entry?

Not for FSWP or CEC. FSTP requires either a valid job offer (1+ year) OR a certificate of qualification. Important: Job offers do NOT earn CRS points (as of March 2025).

5. Is Express Entry only for people outside Canada?

No. CEC is for people already in Canada with Canadian work experience. All programs accept international applicants, and Express Entry prioritizes those already in Canada.

6. What is a CRS score?

A points-based ranking system (0-1,200 points) that scores you on:

• Age (max 110 points)
• Education (max 150 points)
• Language proficiency in English/French (max 160 + 24 points)
• Canadian work experience (max 80 points)
• Spouse/partner factors (max 40 points)
• Skill transferability (max 100 points)
• Bonus points: provincial nomination (600), French skills (25-50), sibling in Canada (15), Canadian education (15-30)

7. How do I calculate my CRS score?

Use the our CRS calculator or manually review IRCC’s CRS criteria tables. You’ll need your age, education credentials, official language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, PTE Core), and work experience.

8. What’s the maximum CRS score?

1,200 points. Most candidates without a provincial nomination score between 350-500 points. A provincial nomination adds 600 points.

9. Why does language proficiency matter so much?

Language is weighted heavily because it shows your ability to work and integrate in Canada. Language can earn up to 136 points. Bilingualism (English + French) boosts your score. French-language skills add bonus points (25-50).

Language Requirements for Express Entry System

10. Can I get points for a job offer?

No. As of March 2025, job offers no longer earn CRS points. This change was made to combat LMIA fraud.

11. What is an Express Entry draw?

A “round of invitations” where IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates from the pool to apply for permanent residence. Three types:

• General: All eligible candidates
• Program-specific: Only FSWP, CEC, or FSTP candidates
• Category-based: Candidates with specific skills (healthcare, STEM, trades, etc.)

12. How often do Express Entry draws happen?

Typically every 1-2 weeks, but no fixed schedule. Frequency depends on government targets, labour market needs, and pool composition.

13. What is the cutoff score?

The lowest CRS score of candidates who received an ITA in that draw. If your score meets or exceeds the cutoff, you get an ITA (subject to tie-breaking rule).

14. What is the tie-breaking rule?

When multiple candidates have the same score as the cutoff, priority goes to whoever submitted their profile earliest. This means exact cutoff scores are decided by submission date/time.

15. Why do cutoff scores vary between draws?

Because pool composition constantly changes: new high-scoring candidates enter, different numbers of ITAs are issued, draw types differ, and government priorities shift. Cutoff scores are unpredictable.

16. How can I improve my CRS score?

• Retake language tests for higher CLB levels
• Learn or improve French (adds 25-50 bonus points)
• Gain more Canadian work experience
• Complete additional education (Master’s degrees score highest)
• Have your spouse improve their language or work experience
• Get a provincial nomination (+600 points—almost guarantees an ITA)
• Verify you have a sibling in Canada (+15 points)

17. How long is my Express Entry profile valid?

12 months from submission. After expiration, your profile is removed, but you can create a new one anytime. There’s no limit to how many times you can reapply.

18. Can I update my profile after submission?

Yes, anytime before receiving an ITA. Update for improved language scores, additional work experience, education completion, or marital status changes. You cannot edit after receiving an ITA.

19. What happens if I decline an ITA?

No negative consequences. You remain in the pool (if not expired) and can receive another ITA in future draws. Your score stays the same. It’s better to decline than submit an incomplete application.

20. What are the current category-based selection categories?

• French-language proficiency: Minimum NCLC 7 in all four abilities
• Healthcare and social services: 6+ months work experience in nursing, physicians, therapists, paramedics, dental, social work roles
• STEM occupations: 6+ months experience as software developers, engineers, IT specialists
• Trade occupations: 6+ months experience as electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, heavy equipment mechanics
• Agriculture and agri-food: 6+ months in agriculture or food processing
• Education occupations: 6+ months in teaching or education support

Category candidates compete only within their category, usually resulting in lower cutoff scores than general draws. All work experience must be from the past 3 years.