Express Entry Draws & CRS Trends

Your go‑to hub for historical analysis, latest results, and data‑driven insights into Canada’s Express Entry draws.

Draw #398 – February 20, 2026

Category: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3

CRS Cut‑off Score: 467

Invitations Issued: 4000

Tie‑Breaker: December 09, 2025 at 18:22:06 UTC

An Express Entry draw, also known as a round of invitation, is the official process through which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) selects candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Canada.

These draws occur regularly—often every two weeks, though frequency and criteria can vary based on Canada’s immigration targets and labour market needs.

Each draw includes:

• Draw Number and Date
  Every draw is uniquely numbered and recorded by date, providing a historical reference for candidates and consultants.

• Type of Draw (General or Targeted)
  Draws may be:

  • General (All-program or No-Program Specified) – Includes candidates from all three core Express Entry programs:

    • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

    • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

  • Program-Specific – Targets a single Express Entry program. For example:

    • A CEC-only draw or FSTP-only draw

  • Category-Based Draws – Introduced in 2023, these prioritize candidates with specific attributes or occupations. Current categories include:

    • French-language proficiency

    • Healthcare occupations

    • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) occupations

    • Trade occupations

    • Education occupations

    • Transport occupations

    • Physicians with Canadian work experience

    • Senior Managers with Canadian work experience

    • Researchers with Canadioan work experience

    • Skilled Military Recruits

    • Agriculture and agri-food occupations (2023 and 2024 only)

• CRS Cut-Off Score
  Each draw sets a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score threshold. Candidates with scores equal to or above this threshold receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for PR.

• Number of ITAs Issued
  IRCC specifies the number of candidates selected in each draw. This number can vary significantly based on program targets and backlog management.

• Tie-Breaking Rule
  If multiple candidates have the exact same CRS score at the cut-off, IRCC applies a tie-breaker based on the date and time the candidate submitted their profile. This ensures fairness and a transparent selection order.