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1. Introduction

Canada’s Express Entry system is among the most popular pathways for skilled workers seeking permanent residence (PR). In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to host “rounds of invitations” (also known as “draws”) to invite top-ranking candidates from the Express Entry pool.

If you’re new to Express Entry or keeping track of each draw to plan your next move, this comprehensive guide is for you. We’ll dissect how rounds of invitations work, highlight key draws from October 2023 to April 28, 2025, examine newly introduced category-based draws, and predict what might happen for the remainder of 2025. By the end, you’ll have a robust understanding of how IRCC selects candidates and how to optimize your Express Entry profile for a better chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

2. What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for three main economic immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Additionally, many provinces use Express Entry to select candidates for their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Candidates who receive a provincial nomination typically gain an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, practically guaranteeing they’ll be invited to apply for permanent residence in the next eligible draw.

How Express Entry Works

Create Your Profile: Candidates submit an online profile with personal details (age, education, language proficiency, work experience, etc.).
CRS Ranking: The system assigns a CRS score out of 1,200 points.
Draws: About every two weeks, IRCC holds a “round of invitations” to invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for PR.
Permanent Residence Application: If invited, you have 60 days to submit your full application, including documents and fees.

3. How Express Entry Rounds of Invitation Work

IRCC sets the type of round (general, program-specific, or category-based), decides how many invitations to issue, and invites the top-scoring candidates who meet the draw criteria.

General Rounds: Invite the highest-ranking Express Entry candidates, regardless of the program (FSWP, CEC, or FSTP).
Program-Specific Rounds: Target only one program (for example, a CEC-only round or a PNP-only round).
Category-Based Rounds: Newly introduced in 2023–2025. These specifically invite candidates who meet certain category requirements, such as French language proficiency, STEM occupations, trades, agriculture/ agri-food, education, or health care and social services.

Tie-Breaking Rule: If multiple candidates share the same CRS score, IRCC uses a tie-break date (the date and time an Express Entry profile was submitted or updated). Only those who created/updated their profile before that cut-off get an invitation.

4. Summary of Draws (October 2023 to April 28, 2025)

Since October 2023, IRCC has held numerous draws, varying in round type, CRS cut-offs, and number of invitations. Below is a consolidated look at major draws from Round #269 (October 24, 2023) to Round #343 (April 28, 2025).

4.1. Overview of Rounds

Total Draws: 75 draws (from #269 to #343).
Round Types: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French language proficiency, Healthcare occupations, STEM occupations, Trades, Transport, Agriculture, and General (all programs).
CRS Score Variation: Ranges widely, from the high 300s (specific category-based draws for French or certain occupations) to 800+ (PNP draws).

4.2. Table A: Rounds #269–#294 (October 2023 – April 23, 2024)

#	Date	Round Type	Invitations Issued	CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked
269	Oct 24, 2023	Provincial Nominee Program	1,548	776
270	Oct 25, 2023	French language proficiency (Version 1)	300	486
271	Oct 26, 2023	Healthcare occupations (Version 1)	3,600	431
272	Dec 6, 2023	General	4,750	561
273	Dec 7, 2023	French language proficiency (Version 1)	1,000	470
274	Dec 8, 2023	STEM occupations (Version 1)	5,900	481
275	Dec 18, 2023	General	1,325	542
276	Dec 19, 2023	Trade occupations (Version 1)	1,000	425
277	Dec 20, 2023	Transport occupations (Version 1)	670	435
278	Dec 21, 2023	Agriculture and agri-food occupations (V1)	400	386
279	Jan 10, 2024	General	1,510	546
280	Jan 23, 2024	General	1,040	543
281	Jan 31, 2024	General	730	541
282	Feb 1, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	7,000	365
283	Feb 13, 2024	General	1,490	535
284	Feb 14, 2024	Healthcare occupations (Version 1)	3,500	422
285	Feb 16, 2024	Agriculture and agri-food occupations (V1)	150	437
286	Feb 28, 2024	General	1,470	534
287	Feb 29, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	2,500	336
288	Mar 12, 2024	General	2,850	525
289	Mar 13, 2024	Transport occupations (Version 1)	975	430
290	Mar 25, 2024	General	1,980	524
291	Mar 26, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	1,500	388
292	Apr 10, 2024	General	1,280	549
293	Apr 11, 2024	STEM occupations (Version 1)	4,500	491
294	Apr 23, 2024	General	2,095	529

4.3. Table B: Rounds #295–#319 (April 24, 2024 – October 22, 2024)

#	Date	Round Type	Invitations Issued	CRS Score
295	Apr 24, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	1,400	410
296	May 30, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	2,985	676
297	May 31, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	3,000	522
298	June 19, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	1,499	663
299	July 2, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	920	739
300	July 4, 2024	Trade occupations (Version 1)	1,800	436
301	July 5, 2024	Healthcare occupations (Version 1)	3,750	445
302	July 8, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	3,200	420
303	July 16, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	1,391	670
304	July 17, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	6,300	515
305	July 18, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	1,800	400
306	July 30, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	964	686
307	July 31, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	5,000	510
308	Aug 13, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	763	690
309	Aug 14, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	3,200	509
310	Aug 15, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	2,000	394
311	Aug 26, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	1,121	694
312	Aug 27, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	3,300	507
313	Sept 9, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	911	732
314	Sept 13, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	1,000	446
315	Sept 19, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	509
316	Oct 7, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	1,613	743
317	Oct 9, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	500	539
318	Oct 10, 2024	French language proficiency (Version 1)	1,000	444
319	Oct 22, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	539

4.4. Table C: Rounds #320–#343 (October 23, 2024 – April 28, 2025)

#	Date	Round Type	Invitations Issued	CRS Score
320	Oct 22, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	539
321	Oct 23, 2024	Trade occupations (Version 1)	1,800	433
322	Nov 12, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	733	812
323	Nov 13, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	547
324	Nov 15, 2024	French language proficiency (V1)	800	478
325	Nov 18, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	174	816
326	Nov 19, 2024	Canadian Experience Class	400	539
327	Nov 20, 2024	Healthcare occupations (Version 1)	3,000	463
328	Dec 2, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	676	705
329	Dec 3, 2024	French language proficiency (V1)	800	466
330	Dec 16, 2024	Provincial Nominee Program	1,085	727
331	Jan 7, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	471	793
332	Jan 8, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	1,350	542
333	Jan 23, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	527
334	Feb 4, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	455	802
335	Feb 5, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	521
336	Feb 17, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	646	750
337	Feb 19, 2025	French language proficiency (V1)	6,500	428
338	Mar 3, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	725	667
339	Mar 6, 2025	French language proficiency (V1)	4,500	410
340	Mar 17, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	536	736
341	Mar 21, 2025	French language proficiency (V1)	7,500	379
342	Apr 14, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	825	764
343	Apr 28, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	421	727

Note: Rounds #320 and #319 share an overlap date (Oct 22, 2024) from the IRCC table extracts, indicating IRCC listed one round at the end of the day or updated the stats differently. The essence is that the second listing under #320 (Oct 22, 2024) is a continuation or a slightly different parameter for that day. Always verify official IRCC sources for final details.

5. Category-Based Selection in 2025

Starting in 2023 and continuing into 2025, IRCC introduced category-based rounds to fulfill specific economic goals. The current categories announced include:

French-Language Proficiency
Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations
Trade Occupations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
Education Occupations

Why Category-Based Draws?

Targeted Skills: Canada’s economy requires certain occupations to fill labor gaps quickly. By focusing on in-demand sectors or skill sets, IRCC ensures these shortages are addressed.
Equitable Distribution: Category-based draws allow IRCC to support provinces, communities, or industries that may not see enough successful candidates through general rounds.
Language Proficiency: Draws targeting French-language speakers reflect Canada’s bilingual framework and attempts to bolster Francophone communities outside Quebec.

Keep in mind: Even with category-based draws, general draws and program-specific draws (like PNP or CEC only) still occur. The goal is to supplement—rather than replace—existing invitation processes.

6. Predictive Model: Upcoming Draws and What to Expect

6.1. General vs. Program-Specific vs. Category-Based Rounds

General Rounds: Often invite a broad range of candidates with no special requirements beyond having a high CRS score.
PNP-Specific Rounds: Typically have high CRS cut-offs (often 700+), because a provincial nomination alone grants an additional 600 points.
CEC-Specific Rounds: Generally see lower CRS cut-offs than PNP draws but often remain in the 500+ range.
Category-Based Rounds: CRS cut-off can vary widely. For example, French-language draws have dipped into the 300s, while healthcare draws often hover in the 400–500 range.

6.2. Expected Trends in 2025

Continued Category-Based Focus
IRCC has shown strong interest in focusing on fields like health care, STEM, and agriculture. We can anticipate at least one or two rounds per quarter aimed at these categories.
Higher Volume French-Speaking Draws
The data shows multiple large-scale French-language proficiency draws (7,000 or more invitations). This trend underlines IRCC’s ambition to increase Francophone representation outside Quebec.
PNP Dominance Remains
Provincial Nominee Program draws will likely remain frequent. Provinces have their own labor market requirements, and awarding 600 additional points ensures PNP nominees are consistently invited.
CEC Resurgence
Express Entry historically had many all-program draws in 2022–2023, but 2024–2025 saw new categories come into play. We’ll likely see more CEC-specific draws when IRCC wants to prioritize those already working or studying in Canada.
CRS Score Fluctuations
- French draws can go lower because fewer candidates have advanced French proficiency.
- PNP draws remain very high due to the 600-point bonus.
- General draws typically hover in the 500–550 range if large numbers of candidates are invited.

By year-end, we predict IRCC will have exceeded 100,000 invitations across all categories, continuing Canada’s push toward higher immigration targets to address labor gaps, promote regional development, and support French-speaking communities.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often do Express Entry draws occur?
- Typically every two weeks, but IRCC may hold multiple draws in a single week (for different categories or programs). Check the official IRCC Rounds of Invitation page for current updates.
What is the tie-breaking rule?
- If multiple candidates share the cut-off CRS score, IRCC invites those who created (or updated) their profile earlier based on the timestamp.
Are category-based draws replacing general draws?
- No. Category-based draws supplement existing draws. IRCC still conducts general, CEC-specific, or PNP-specific rounds.
How do I qualify for a category-based draw?
- You must meet all Express Entry minimum requirements and specific criteria for that category. For example, a French draw may require you to prove a certain NCLC (French CLB) level.
I’m a provincial nominee with 600 points—am I guaranteed an invitation?
- Almost always, yes. Historically, PNP-only draws typically invite all provincial nominees in the pool with the highest overall points.
Why are some CRS cut-offs in the 700+ range?
- These are PNP-specific draws. Applicants already have 600 points from a nomination, pushing their overall CRS above 700.
When do I get my Invitation to Apply (ITA) if I pass the CRS threshold?
- If you meet or exceed the cut-off and your profile was created before the tie-break date, you’ll usually see an ITA within 24–72 hours of the draw.
Does IRCC post a schedule for upcoming draws?
- No. IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule, but historically draws occur roughly every two weeks. Category-based draws may happen back-to-back if the Minister decides so.
Can I switch from one category to another after creating my profile?
- You can update your Express Entry profile with new credentials (like a French test result). If you become eligible for a category-based draw, the system will automatically consider you for that draw when it occurs.
What if I get an invitation but can’t complete my PR application in 60 days?

You must submit all documents and fees within 60 days. Failing to do so means your invitation expires, and you return to the Express Entry pool without that ITA.

8. How Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton Can Help

Navigating Express Entry can be complex—especially if you’re targeting a specific category or have questions about CRS optimizations. At Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton, we:

Assess Your Eligibility: We examine your personal, educational, and professional background to identify the best Express Entry strategy (FSWP, CEC, or a specific category).
Optimize Your CRS: Our experts help you maximize points, from language test coaching to verifying foreign credentials, highlighting relevant Canadian experience, etc.
Stay on Top of Categories: We monitor all IRCC announcements about new or ongoing category-based draws, ensuring you never miss an opportunity if you qualify.
Submit Your Application: If you receive an ITA, we guide you through document gathering, medical checks, police certificates, and final submission to IRCC.
Bridge Work Permits: If your current status is expiring, we assist in bridging or maintaining legal status while awaiting a PR decision.

Our team keeps up with immigration policy changes and ensures your profile stays competitive in a system where details can change quickly. From the moment you decide to apply to the day you land as a permanent resident, we have you covered.

9. Conclusion

The Express Entry system remains Canada’s leading immigration pathway for skilled workers. The 2025 draws reflect Canada’s increasing focus on category-based invitations, a strategic move to address labor market gaps and encourage Francophone immigration, among other goals. With IRCC hosting multiple draw types—General, PNP-specific, CEC-specific, and category-based—staying informed about the latest CRS trends and invitation numbers is crucial.

Remember that your CRS score, the timeliness of profile creation, and eligibility for certain categories can dramatically shape your success. By aligning your profile with in-demand skills and carefully monitoring IRCC’s announcements, you significantly boost your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Whether you’re aiming to showcase French proficiency, have expertise in healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, or any other category, it pays to do a thorough check of requirements and documents. And if you’re unsure where to start, our experienced consultants at Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton are ready to guide you through every step.

Contact Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton

Phone: (780) 800-0113
Email: [email protected]
Address: 9038 51 Ave NW, Suite 206, Edmonton, AB T6E 5X4, Canada

At Immigration Nation, we pride ourselves on providing clear, accurate, and personalized immigration guidance. Book your free assessment or consultation today and let us help turn your Express Entry ambitions into a reality!

Express Entry Rounds of Invitation 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

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