Canada is on pace to set a new record for the most Express Entry draws held in a single year. With 49 draws completed by mid-November, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is likely to surpass last year’s total of 52 draws well before the end of 2025.
This increase reflects the growing influence of category-based selection. Canada now runs separate, targeted draws across different occupations, language groups and programs. As a result, IRCC conducts more frequent rounds while issuing invitations in a more precise and controlled way.
While 2025 is unlikely to match the exceptionally high number of invitations issued during the pandemic-era peak of 2021, it is shaping up to be one of the most active years ever for draw activity.
On This Page You Will Find
- Why 2025 is set to break the draw-frequency record
- How category-based selection leads to more targeted rounds
- Historical records for invitations and CRS scores
- Key trends emerging from 2025 draws
- What this means for skilled workers
- Frequently asked questions
Canada Set to Break the Record for Most Express Entry Draws
As of November 14, IRCC has already held 49 Express Entry draws in 2025. With several weeks left in the year, Canada is on track to exceed the 52 draws recorded in 2024.
The shift toward category-based selection is the main driver. Instead of relying only on large all-program or CEC rounds, IRCC now alternates draws across multiple targeted streams, including:
- Healthcare and social services
- French language proficiency
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Program
Each stream requires its own draw, which increases the total number of rounds even when overall immigration levels remain controlled.
Category-Based Draws Are Reshaping the System
Category-based selection has made Express Entry far more dynamic. Draws now occur more often, but each one is more narrowly focused on a specific labour market need.
For example, in 2025:
- French-language draws have invited up to 7,500 candidates in one round.
- Healthcare and social services draws have repeatedly surpassed 2,500 invitations.
- Smaller occupation-specific rounds for trades and education have created new entry points for targeted workers.
- CEC candidates with scores at 533–534 have seen consistent, predictable thresholds.
This structure has made 2025 the busiest year ever for draw scheduling, even if total invitations do not reach historic highs.
When Canada Set Its Biggest Express Entry Records
While 2025 is notable for draw frequency, the largest invitation totals and lowest CRS scores in Express Entry history were set in earlier years.
Record for Total Invitations in a Year – 2021
The highest number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) ever issued in a single year was in 2021, when Canada invited more than 114,000 candidates. This was a one-off response to the pandemic, aimed at transitioning temporary workers already in Canada to permanent residence.
With lower immigration levels targets, IRCC is not expected to approach that figure in 2025.
Record for Lowest CRS Score – 75 Points (CEC-Only in 2021)
The lowest CRS score in Express Entry history occurred on February 13, 2021, when IRCC issued 27,332 invitations in a Canadian Experience Class-only round. The minimum CRS score was just 75.
Nothing in recent years has come close to that exceptional draw, which remains unique.
Record for the Largest Single Draw – 27,332 ITAs in 2021
The same February 2021 CEC draw is also the largest single round ever conducted. In comparison, the biggest 2025 rounds include:
- 7,500 invitations (French language proficiency) on April 11
- 6,500 invitations on February 19
- 6,000 invitations on October 29
These are substantial, but far below the 2021 mega-draw.
Key Trends in 2025: Lower Scores in Targeted Categories
Although 2025 does not challenge the all-time CRS or invitation records, it has produced some of the most competitive scores of the category-based era, especially for French-speaking candidates:
- 379 points on March 21
- 410 points on March 6
- 416 points on October 29
- 428 points on February 19
- 432 points on October 6
CEC draws have also stabilised at around 533–534, offering rare predictability for candidates with Canadian work experience.
What These Trends Mean for Skilled Worker Candidates
For many applicants, 2025 offers more chances than ever to receive an invitation, thanks to the high number of draws. Key advantages include:
- More frequent opportunities across different categories
- Clear benefits for French speakers
- Targeted pathways for healthcare, education and trades workers
- Predictable CRS ranges for CEC candidates
- More opportunities for PNP-linked profiles
Even if total invitations remain below 2021 levels, the system now creates more tailored and frequent chances for skilled workers to move forward.
2025 Express Entry Draws Trends: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Canada holding so many Express Entry draws in 2025?
IRCC is running more draws because category-based selection requires separate rounds for different priority occupations and language groups. This increases the total number of draws even though overall immigration levels targets remain moderate.
Will Canada break the record for most invitations in a year?
No. The record of more than 114,000 ITAs issued in 2021 is unlikely to be matched. That year reflected pandemic-specific policies. In 2025, IRCC is focused on targeted draws rather than very large all-program rounds.
What is the lowest CRS score seen in 2025?
The lowest CRS score so far in 2025 was 379 in a French-language draw on March 21. Several other category-based rounds have also fallen in the low 400s, making them highly competitive.
Is CEC still an important pathway in 2025?
Yes. IRCC has held many CEC-specific rounds, with CRS scores consistently around 533–534. This stability gives candidates with Canadian work experience a clear view of their competitiveness.
How does 2025 compare to previous years?
2025 is on track to set a new record for the number of Express Entry draws but will not match the historic invitation totals or extremely low CRS scores seen in 2021. Instead, 2025 stands out for targeted selection, predictable trends and more frequent opportunities.
