Express Entry Invitation Rounds — what IRCC publish

How rounds work

IRCC ranks all candidates in the Express Entry pool by their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. When IRCC conducts a round, it invites the highest-ranked candidates down to a cut-off score. If you have a CRS score at or above the cut-off when the round occurs, and you are in the targeted category (if applicable), you receive an ITA.

Rounds are not predictable

IRCC does not announce round dates or cut-off scores in advance. The frequency and size of rounds depend on immigration targets, processing capacity, and other factors that may change throughout the year.

General rounds

General rounds invite the highest-ranked candidates regardless of occupation, language, or program stream. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams are all eligible. General rounds typically have higher cut-off scores than category-based rounds.

Category-based rounds

Category-based rounds target candidates who meet specific criteria, such as having work experience in a healthcare occupation, strong French language ability, or STEM qualifications. These rounds help IRCC meet economic objectives and fill labour shortages in particular sectors. Cut-off scores for category-based rounds are often lower than general rounds because the pool is smaller.

You can be invited in any round

If you meet the criteria for a category-based round and your score is at or above the cut-off, you can receive an ITA in that round. You can also receive an ITA in a general round regardless of category. You do not choose which type of round to enter; IRCC issues ITAs based on your profile and score.

Cut-offs are published after each round

IRCC publishes the cut-off score for each round after invitations are issued. The cut-off is determined by ranking all eligible candidates and issuing ITAs down to the target number. The score of the last candidate invited becomes the cut-off for that round.

Tie-breaking rule

If multiple candidates have the same CRS score as the cut-off, IRCC uses the date and time the candidate submitted their Express Entry profile as a tie-breaker. Candidates who submitted their profile earlier are invited first. The tie-breaking date and time are published with each round.

Your score must be current when the round occurs

Your CRS score is recalculated automatically if any information in your profile changes (such as your age, language test results expiring, or gaining additional work experience). You are ranked based on your score at the time IRCC conducts the round, not when you submitted your profile.

Profiles are ranked continuously

IRCC ranks all profiles in the pool by CRS score at all times. When a round occurs, IRCC selects the highest-ranked candidates from the pool and issues ITAs. Profiles that do not receive an ITA remain in the pool and are automatically considered in future rounds.

Pool size fluctuates

The number of candidates in the pool changes constantly as new profiles enter, existing profiles expire, and ITAs are issued. A larger pool with many high-scoring candidates typically results in higher cut-offs. A smaller pool or more frequent rounds may result in lower cut-offs.

Provincial nominations bypass the general competition

Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) gain an additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA in the next available round. PNP candidates are invited in both general and PNP-specific rounds.

Document requirements

After receiving an ITA, you must upload supporting documents to prove all claims in your Express Entry profile, including identity documents, language test results, educational credentials (and Educational Credential Assessment if applicable), proof of work experience, police certificates, and medical examination results. If you cannot prove a claim, IRCC may refuse your application.

60-day deadline

The 60-day deadline starts on the date the ITA is issued. If you do not submit your application within 60 days, your ITA expires and your profile returns to the pool (or expires if it was already close to the 12-month limit). You can decline an ITA if you are not ready to apply; your profile will remain in or return to the pool.

Processing time

IRCC's service standard is to process 80% of complete Express Entry applications within 6 months. Processing time begins when you submit your complete application after receiving an ITA, not when you submit your profile to the pool.

Recent trends are not guarantees

Past cut-off scores do not predict future rounds. Immigration targets, pool composition, and IRCC priorities can change. A score that was competitive last year may not be competitive this year, and vice versa.

Strategies to increase your CRS score

If your score is below recent cut-offs, you can improve it by retaking language tests to achieve higher scores, obtaining additional Canadian work experience (if eligible), gaining more foreign work experience, completing a higher level of education, or seeking a provincial nomination (which adds 600 points).

canada.ca — Official invitation round results

canada.ca — Express Entry guidance

canada.ca — Category-based rounds explained