IRCC.com
Express Entry3 min read

Young professional working at a sun-lit desk with a Toronto skyline view — Canadian Express Entry guide

IRCC Holds Latest Round of Express Entry Invitations

TL;DR — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held the latest round of Express Entry invitations, inviting 5,500 candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 501 or above to apply for permanent residence. The round included a tie-breaking rule based on the date and time candidates submitted their Express Entry profiles. Candidates who received an invitation will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Key Details of the Latest Round

The latest round of Express Entry invitations was held, with IRCC inviting 5,500 candidates to apply for permanent residence. The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 501. A tie-breaking rule was applied, where if more than one candidate had the lowest score, the cut-off was based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles. This means that candidates who submitted their profiles earlier were prioritized over those who submitted later, even if they had the same CRS score.

CRS Score Distribution in the Pool

The CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool is available on the IRCC website. The distribution shows the number of candidates in each CRS score range, from 0-300 to 601-1200. This information can be useful for candidates who want to understand their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. However, it's worth noting that the score distribution may change as new profiles are submitted and existing profiles expire.

Types of Rounds of Invitations

IRCC holds different types of rounds of invitations throughout the year. These include general rounds, program-specific rounds, and category-based rounds. General rounds invite top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for one of the three programs managed through Express Entry. Program-specific rounds invite top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Category-based rounds invite top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific category established by the Minister to meet a specific economic goal.

How the Rounds Work

The rounds of invitations work by IRCC choosing the type of round to hold, deciding the number of candidates to invite, and identifying the highest-ranking candidates from the pool who are eligible for the chosen round type. The instructions for each round are posted online and used by the Express Entry system to invite candidates from the pool. The instructions include the date and time of the round, the number of candidates to be invited, and the round type.

What canada.ca says

According to the IRCC website, "We invite candidates from the pool to apply in rounds throughout the year. We choose them based on points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)." The website also provides information on the latest round of invitations, including the date and time, the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited, and the number of invitations issued. For more information, visit the IRCC website.

Why this matters

The latest round of Express Entry invitations is significant because it provides an opportunity for candidates to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The Express Entry system is a key part of Canada's immigration program, and the rounds of invitations are an important step in the process. Candidates who receive an invitation will have the opportunity to submit an application for permanent residence, which will be processed by IRCC.

Verify on canada.ca

To verify all details about the latest round of Express Entry invitations, visit the IRCC website. It's essential to check the official government website for the most up-to-date and accurate information before taking any action.


IRCC.com is an independent news and information aggregator. We are not affiliated with the Government of Canada and do not provide immigration services or advice. For personalized help, contact a CICC-licensed RCIC or a Canadian immigration lawyer.

Last reviewed: April 26, 2026

IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

Want the next IRCC update in your inbox?

Weekly digest. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Free tools for this topic

Related trackers & guides

More news

How Express Entry Draws Work: A Plain-English Guide

A plain-English guide to Express Entry draws: what the candidate pool is, how the CRS score ranks you, how draws and cut-off scores work (general, program-specific, and category-based), and what happens after you get an Invitation to Apply.

CRS Score Explained: How Express Entry Points Are Calculated

A plain-language guide to the Comprehensive Ranking System: what CRS is, how Express Entry's 1,200 points break down across age, education, language, experience and bonuses, how to calculate your score, and practical ways to raise it before the next draw.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Eligibility and How CEC Draws Work

A plain-language guide to the Canadian Experience Class: who qualifies, how Express Entry and the CRS points system work, and what a "CEC draw" (invitation round) actually is — including why cut-off scores shift and how to prepare for an ITA.

Federal Skilled Worker Program: Requirements and Eligibility

A plain-language evergreen guide to Canada's Federal Skilled Worker Program: what it is, the core eligibility requirements (experience, language, education, funds), how the FSW selection grid differs from the Express Entry CRS ranking, and a step-by-step application path.

How to Create an Express Entry Profile, Step by Step

A plain-language, step-by-step guide to creating an Express Entry profile: checking eligibility for the three programs, gathering documents, building the online profile and CRS score, and understanding the pool, draws, and Invitations to Apply.

Category-Based Express Entry Draws: How the Categories Work

A plain-language guide to category-based Express Entry draws: what they are, the occupation and French-language categories that have been used, the two layers of qualifying, how the system selects you automatically, and why these draws often need a lower score.

Comments

For general discussion only. We can’t review individual cases or give immigration advice — for that, contact a licensed representative.

Comments post instantly. Spam and abuse are filtered automatically.

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.