Express Entry Invitation Rounds – What You Need to Know

Canada’s Express Entry system manages major economic immigration streams—Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—and includes the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each takes part in periodic Rounds of Invitations (ROIs), where top candidates by CRS score are invited to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) (Canada.ca).

Latest Round – #357 (July 22, 2025)

• Type: Category-based, directed at Healthcare & Social Services occupations
• Invites Issued: 4,000
• Lowest CRS Score: 475
• Tie‑Breaker Timestamp: March 13, 2025 at 13:08:29 UTC
• What’s significant: It’s the largest healthcare‐focused draw yet, and the lowest healthcare CRS cut-off of 2025.

Other July 2025 Draws

• Round #356 (July 21): PNP-only —202 invitations, cut-off CRS 788
• Round #355 (July 8): CEC —3,000 invitations, cut-off CRS 518
• Round #354 (July 7): PNP-only —356 invitations, cut-off CRS 750

What This Means for Applicants

• Category‑based draws (like this healthcare one) focus on specific occupations to align with Canada’s labor needs (Canada.ca).
• A CRS score of ~475 is now sufficient for healthcare professionals—lower than earlier 2025 healthcare CRS cut-offs (~501+)
• PNP draws continue strong, with very high cut-offs (~750–788) because successful candidates already receive +600 points for nomination
• CEC draws remain important for candidates with Canadian work experience, with recent CRS cut-offs in the 510–520 range

How Draws Work

IRCC runs draws about every 2 weeks, selecting top-scoring candidates based on the draw type—general, program-specific, or category-based (Canada.ca).
Each draw’s Ministerial Instructions specify: date/time, #invites, eligible program(s), category if any, CRS floor, and the crucial tie-break timestamp (applicant listed earlier gets priority if tied) (Canada.ca, Canada.ca).

Tips for Aspiring Applicants

1. Maximize your CRS score: Improve language, education, work experience, or secure a job/PNP.
2. Monitor draw announcements: Especially category-based draws if your occupation applies.
3. Keep your profile current: If invited and you decline or let it expire, you must re-enter the pool (Canada.ca)
4. Understand expiration rules: Invitations are valid for 60 days—don’t miss deadlines.

In Summary

• July 22, 2025 saw the largest healthcare draw ever: 4,000 ITAs at CRS 475.
• July included key draws for PNP (high CRS thresholds) and CEC (mid‑500s).
• CRS cut-offs vary significantly by draw type, so tailor your strategy accordingly.

Want to assess your CRS score, explore category‑based draws, or get personalized PR guidance? We’re here to help!