February 28, 2025

Updates – Express Entry: Category-based selection February 27, 2025

Current categories based available stream:

  1. French-language proficiency
  2. Healthcare and social services occupations
  3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
  4. Trade occupations 
  5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
  6. Education occupations 

What is category-based selection 

In category-based rounds of invitations, we invite candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for a specific category established by the Minister to meet an identified economic goal.

We invite candidates to apply for permanent residence based on criteria such as:

  • ability to communicate in a specific official language
  • work experience in a specific occupation
  • education

Today February 27, 2025, IRCC has updated specific occupations list in Cateroy based stream. For more details please visit:  
Express Entry: Category-based selection – Canada.ca

IRCC has updated new NOC in Trade Occupations category dated February 27, 2025.

IRCC has updated new Category draw based stream dated February 27, 2025: Education Occupations.

IRCC has updated new NOC in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations category dated February 27, 2025.

Occupation2021 NOC code2021 TEER category
Architecture and science managers200110
Civil engineering technologists and technicians223002
Civil Engineers213001
Cybersecurity specialists212201
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians223102
Electrical and electronics engineers213101
Geological Engineers213311
Industrial and manufacturing engineers213211
Insurance agents and brokers631003
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians223012
Mechanical Engineers213011
February 05, 2025

Express Entry Draw Updates February 05, 2025

Results: Rounds of invitations

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 4,000

Rank required to be invited to apply: 4,000 or above

Date and time of round: February 05, 2025 at 15:34:00 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 521

Tie-breaking rule: November 14, 2025 at 02:52:14 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool as of February 05, 2025

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

Number of candidates
601-1200 173
501-600 23,165
451-500 68,910
491-500 13,487
481-490 13,003
471-480 15,652
461-470 13,815
451-460 12,953
401-450 63,508
441-450 12,567
431-440 13,621
421-430 12,432
411-420 12,833
401-410 12,055
351-400 51,079
301-350 21,576
0-300 5,641
Total 234,052

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

January 23, 2025

Express Entry Draw Updates January 23, 2025

Results: Rounds of invitations

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 4,000

Rank required to be invited to apply: 4,000 or above

Date and time of round: January 23, 2025 at 2025-01-23 15:30:04 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 527

Tie-breaking rule: July 23, 2024 at 07:06:43 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool as of January 23, 2025

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 200
501-600 24,001
451-500 67,548
491-500 13,126
481-490 12,866
471-480 15,392
461-470 13,483
451-460 12,681
401-450 62,426
441-450 12,256
431-440 13,389
421-430 12,205
411-420 12,667
401-410 11,909
351-400 51,213
301-350 21,903
0-300 5,633
Total 232,924


The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

January 08, 2025

Express Entry Draw Updates January 08, 2025

Results: Rounds of invitations

Canadian Experience ClassNumber of invitations issued: 1,350

Rank required to be invited to apply: 1,350 or above

Date and time of round: January 08, 2025 at 16:02:18 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 542

Tie-breaking rule: December 07, 2024 at 01:10:06 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool as of January 8, 2025

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 171
501-600 23,240
451-500 65,699
491-500 12,811
481-490 12,492
471-480 14,965
461-470 13,034
451-460 12,397
401-450 60,704
441-450 11,938
431-440 13,030
421-430 11,901
411-420 12,224
401-410 11,611
351-400 50,607
301-350 21,788
0-300 5,554
Total 227,763


The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

September 19, 2024

Express Entry Draw Updates September 19, 2024

Results: Rounds of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #315 – September 19, 2024

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 4,000

Rank required to be invited to apply: 4,000 or above

Date and time of round: September 19, 2024 at 13:12:22 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 509

Tie-breaking rule: November 06, 2023 at 07:17:35 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Find out how category-based rounds of invitations work: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of September 9, 2024
CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 937
501-600 9,987
451-500 61,797
491-500 11,274
481-490 12,131
471-480 14,665
461-470 12,717
451-460 11,010
401-450 52,525
441-450 10,496
431-440 11,357
421-430 9,948
411-420 10,474
401-410 10,250
351-400 51,188
301-350 23,708
0-300 5,427
Total 205,569


The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

August 27, 2024

Express Entry Draw Updates August 27, 2024

Results: Rounds of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #312– August 27, 2024

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 3,300

Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,300 or above

Date and time of round: August 27, 2024 at 17:44:02 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 507

Tie-breaking rule: June 05, 2024 at 01:08:58 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Find out how category-based rounds of invitations work: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of August 27, 2024
CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 127
501-600 9,764
451-500 61,133
491-500 10,918
481-490 12,038
471-480 14,722
461-470 12,676
451-460 10,779
401-450 51,863
441-450 10,259
431-440 11,142
421-430 9,814
411-420 10,493
401-410 10,155
351-400 52,363
301-350 24,396
0-300 5,491
Total 205,137


The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

August 14, 2024

Express Entry Draw Updates August 14, 2024

Results: Rounds of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #309– August 14, 2024

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 3,200

Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,200 or above

Date and time of round: August 14, 2024 at 14:04:45 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 509

Tie-breaking rule: March 01, 2024 at 19:23:21 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Find out how category-based rounds of invitations work: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of August 14, 2024
CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 125
501-600 11,055
451-500 61,210
491-500 10,883
481-490 11,990
471-480 14,873
461-470 12,747
451-460 10,717
401-450 52,261
441-450 10,303
431-440 11,229
421-430 9,868
411-420 10,619
401-410 10,242
351-400 53,137
301-350 24,690
0-300 5,482
Total 207,960

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

July 17, 2024

Express Entry Draw Updates July 17, 2024

Results: Rounds of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #304– July 17, 2024

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 6,300

Rank required to be invited to apply: 6,300 or above

Date and time of round: July 17, 2024 at 16:17:31 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 515

Tie-breaking rule: February 03, 2024 at 13:01:06 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Find out how category-based rounds of invitations work: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of July 17, 2024
CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 184
501-600 16,968
451-500 60,115
491-500 9,982
481-490 11,852
471-480 15,120
461-470 12,616
451-460 10,545
401-450 52,635
441-450 10,067
431-440 11,020
421-430 9,701
411-420 10,888
401-410 10,959
351-400 54,597
301-350 25,669
0-300 5,567
Total 215,735

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

July 05, 2024

Express Entry Draw Updates July 05, 2024

Results: Rounds of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #301– July 5, 2024

Healthcare occupations (Version 1)

Number of invitations issued: 3,750

Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,750 or above

Date and time of round: July 05, 2024 at 16:03:12 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 445

Tie-breaking rule: May 07, 2024 at 21:27:04 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Find out how category-based rounds of invitations work: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of July 2, 2024
CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 940
501-600 16,521
451-500 64,761
491-500 10,295
481-490 12,447
471-480 16,371
461-470 13,883
451-460 11,765
401-450 54,148
441-450 11,031
431-440 11,342
421-430 9,947
411-420 10,876
401-410 10,952
351-400 54,902
301-350 25,752
0-300 5,523
Total 222,547

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

July 04, 2024

Express Entry Draw Updates July 04, 2024

Results: Rounds of invitations

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #300– July 4, 2024

Trade occupations (Version 1)

Number of invitations issued: 1,800

Rank required to be invited to apply: 1,800 or above

Date and time of round: July 4, 2024 at 13:30:48 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 436

Tie-breaking rule: July 16, 2023 at 15:44:59 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Find out how category-based rounds of invitations work: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

For more details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html

Previous Rounds: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of July 2, 2024
CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 940
501-600 16,521
451-500 64,761
491-500 10,295
481-490 12,447
471-480 16,371
461-470 13,883
451-460 11,765
401-450 54,148
441-450 11,031
431-440 11,342
421-430 9,947
411-420 10,876
401-410 10,952
351-400 54,902
301-350 25,752
0-300 5,523
Total 222,547

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.