Latest Draw Result
Express Entry draws are held regularly by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Each draw sets a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and candidates who meet or exceed that score receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
Recent Draws
| No. | Date | Program | CRS | ITAs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #430 | Jul 23, 2026 | Skilled Military Recruits, 2026-Version 1 | 368 | 4 |
| #429 | Jul 22, 2026 | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 | 399 | 5,000 |
| #428 | Jul 21, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| #427 | Jul 20, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| #426 | Jul 10, 2026 | Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 | 392 | 500 |
| #425 | Jul 9, 2026 | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 | 420 | 5,000 |
| #424 | Jul 7, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| #423 | Jul 6, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| #422 | Jun 25, 2026 | Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3 | 475 | 4,000 |
| #421 | Jun 24, 2026 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 | 223 | 271 |
CRS Score Trends
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is Canada's flagship electronic immigration system, launched in January 2015 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs and ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a points-based scoring system out of 1,200.
Candidates create an online profile, receive a CRS score based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability, and enter a pool of candidates. IRCC conducts regular "draws" (invitation rounds), inviting the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence. Since 2023, the system has shifted toward category-based selection, targeting candidates with specific attributes beyond raw CRS scores.
Programs Under Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
For skilled workers with foreign work experience. Requires at least 1 year of continuous skilled work (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in the past 10 years, minimum CLB 7 in all language abilities, and a score of 67/100 on the FSW selection grid.
- Language: CLB 7 minimum
- Education: Required (ECA for foreign credentials)
- Settlement funds required
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For people with recent skilled Canadian work experience. Requires at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work in the past 3 years. No education requirement and no settlement funds requirement.
- Language: CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3)
- Must have worked legally in Canada
- Fastest processing (~58 days median)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
For workers qualified in a skilled trade. Requires at least 2 years of full-time experience (3,120 hours) in the past 5 years. Needs either a certificate of qualification or a valid 1-year job offer.
- Language: CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing
- No formal education requirement
- Trade certification or job offer needed
Canada uses three main federal economic immigration programs under Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Each program has distinct eligibility criteria based on work experience, education, and language proficiency.
Category-Based Selection (2026)
Since 2023, IRCC uses category-based selection to target candidates with specific skills or attributes. In 2025, 98% of all invitations were issued through category-based draws rather than general rounds. For 2026, Canada has 10 active categories:
How to Improve Your CRS Score
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores candidates out of 1,200 points. Here are the most impactful strategies to boost your score:
The single most powerful boost. A provincial nomination virtually guarantees an invitation. Apply through a PNP Express Entry stream in any participating province.
Language is worth up to 260 points. Reaching CLB 9 in all abilities unlocks bonus skill transferability points. For IELTS, CLB 9 means: Listening 8.0, Speaking 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0.
French-language draws had CRS cutoffs as low as 379 in 2025. Even basic French (NCLC 5+) adds points directly, and strong French with strong English is extremely valuable.
80 points directly plus up to 100 through skill transferability cross-factors. Also makes you eligible for CEC and most category-based draws.
Rather than competing in general draws at 520+ CRS, align your profile with an active category (healthcare, trades, STEM, French) where cutoffs are significantly lower.
IRCC regularly updates Express Entry policies, including CRS score requirements, eligible occupations, and processing timelines. Staying informed about these changes can significantly impact your immigration strategy and timeline.
Key Policy Changes (2025-2026)
- Job offer points removed (March 2025) — Candidates no longer receive 50-200 CRS points for valid Canadian job offers. This was a major shift in how scores are calculated.
- Upfront medical exams required (August 2025) — Applicants must now complete immigration medical exams before submitting their application, not after.
- Five new 2026 categories (February 2026) — Senior managers, researchers, transport, medical doctors, and military recruits added. Agriculture and education categories retired.
- Work experience threshold doubled — Category-based selection now requires 12 months of work experience, up from 6 months previously.
- Reduced immigration levels for 2026 — Federal High Skilled landing target set at 109,000, down from previous years' higher targets.
Processing Times
The official service standard is 6 months, but actual processing varies by program. Based on recent applicant data:
| Program | Median Time | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 58 days | 42-89 days |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 78 days | 51-118 days |
| Federal Skilled Worker | 94 days | 67-142 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
What CRS score do I need to get an invitation?
It depends on the draw type. For general/CEC draws, a score of 520+ is competitive. French-language draws can go as low as 379. Category-based draws (healthcare, STEM, trades) typically range from 462-510. A provincial nomination adds 600 points and virtually guarantees an invitation.
How often are Express Entry draws held?
IRCC typically holds draws every 1-2 weeks, though the frequency can vary. In 2025, there were 58 draws. Draws are announced on the IRCC website and we track them in real time on this page.
Can I apply to Express Entry without a job offer?
Yes. A job offer is not required for any of the three Express Entry programs. As of March 2025, job offer points have been completely removed from the CRS calculation, so having a job offer no longer provides a scoring advantage.
How long does the Express Entry process take from start to finish?
The full timeline varies: creating a profile takes 1-2 weeks, waiting for an ITA can take weeks to months depending on your CRS score, you have 60 days to submit after receiving an ITA, and processing takes 42-150 days depending on the program. CEC applicants are typically processed fastest.
What is category-based selection and how does it affect me?
Category-based selection allows IRCC to invite candidates based on specific attributes like occupation, language, or work experience — not just CRS score. If your occupation falls under an active category (healthcare, STEM, trades, French speakers, etc.), you may receive an invitation at a much lower CRS score than general rounds. In 2025, 98% of invitations were category-based.
Do I need to live outside Quebec?
Express Entry candidates must intend to live outside Quebec. Quebec has its own immigration system managed by the provincial government. If you wish to settle in Quebec, you should apply through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program instead.