There are new Express Entry draws this week, sent out for the invitations to 5,225 candidates for the application of ITAs for permanent residency. The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) sent out 4,500 ITAs on 6th March, announcing the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) cutoff score at 410 in a French category round of the invitations. Prior to this, on March 3, 2025, the IRCC issued 725 ITAs to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with an impressive CRS cutoff of 667.
French Language Focused Express Entry Draw Details
- Date: March 5, 2025
- Category: French language proficiency (Version 1)
- Number of Invitations: 4,500
- Lowest CRS Score Invited: 410
- Rank Required: 4,500 or higher
- Tie-Breaking Rule: February 11, 2025 at 07:47:29 UTC
What’s the Tie-Breaking Rule?
- When multiple candidates come with the lowest CRS score in a draw, IRCC uses the date and time of profile submission to decide who gets an ITA. This works on a first come, first serve basis.
- This French-specific draw catered to candidates with level 7 in French language proficiency, offering a golden ticket to permanent residency for thousands.
- With a CRS cutoff of 410, it’s clear that competition remains easy for those with strong French language knowledge.
Previous Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw Details
- Date: March 3, 2025
- Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Number of Invitations: 725
- Lowest CRS Score Invited: 667
- Rank Required: 667 or higher
- Tie-Breaking Rule: June 5, 2024, at 18:25:22 UTC
- The PNP draw targeted candidates nominated by Canadian provinces or territories, reflecting the high value placed on provincial endorsements.
- A CRS cutoff of 667 underscores the exclusivity of this stream, but it’s a testament to the rewards of securing a nomination.
Latest CRS Score Breakdown: Where Do You Stand?
Wondering how your CRS score stacks up? IRCC’s most recent data reveals the distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of March 3, 2025.
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
| 601-1200 | 807 |
| 501-600 | 23,075 |
| 451-500 | 66,792 |
| 491-500 | 13,174 |
| 481-490 | 12,730 |
| 471-480 | 15,213 |
| 461-470 | 13,377 |
| 451-460 | 12,298 |
| 401-450 | 61,383 |
| 441-450 | 11,822 |
| 431-440 | 12,429 |
| 421-430 | 12,072 |
| 411-420 | 13,014 |
| 401-410 | 12,046 |
| 351-400 | 49,555 |
| 301-350 | 20,573 |
| 0-300 | 5,637 |
| Total | 227,822 |
With over 227,000 hopefuls vying for a spot, optimizing your CRS score is key to standing out.
Express Entry Draws in 2025: A Year in Review
The March draws follow a robust start to 2025. Here’s a recap of this year’s highlights so far:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
| March 3, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency (Version 1) | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
These trends show a mix of category-specific and high-scoring draws, offering diverse pathways for PR hopefuls.
How to Boost Your Chances of Getting an ITA
Now, if you are dreaming of permanent residency in Canada, let’s dive into the strategies to uplift your profile for Express Entry:
- If you have high scores in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TEF (French), your CRS points can skyrocket.
- If you have Canadian experience, it will work in your favor.
- A provincial nomination will give you an advantage as it adds 600 CRS points, guaranteeing an ITA.
- Receiving a degree from a Canadian institution increases your score.
Now, What is the Express Entry System?
A system used by the government of Canada for the management of applications for the permanent residency for skilled professionals and other eligible individuals is called Express Entry. This system has been introduced to make the immigration process streamlined and faster. Designing the system of express entry is not only fruitful for the Canadian government but also for the resourceful people planning to work in Canada.
Express Entry manages the immigration process through three main programs, including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Now Let’s See How Express Entry Works:
Eligibility: If you want to enter the Express Entry pool, you have to fulfill the requirements of any one immigration program, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): If a candidate has entered the Express Entry pool, your ranking will be based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency (English or French), having a valid job offer or provincial nomination, and having family in Canada or not.
Draws: Every two weeks, Canada conducts Express Entry draws. Then, a specific CRS score threshold is set, and those candidates whose scores are more than the threshold are issued an ITA.
Invitation to Apply (ITA): If candidates receive an ITA, they will submit a complete application for permanent residency. If everything works out satisfactorily as per the requirements of IRCC, permanent residency will be issued.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): There are also some candidates who receive provincial nomination through the provincial nominee program, which means getting extra CRS points, which leads to an increase in the chances of getting permanent residency in Canada.
Step-by-Step Process
- Create your online profile by mentioning age, education, work experience, and language skills; This is called joining the pool.
- Get yourself ranked, as your CRS score will determine your position among other candidates.
- Receive an ITA, which means top scorers in each draw get invited to apply for PR.
- Apply faster, as you have 60 days to submit your full PR application after an ITA.
- Fast-Track to PR: Processing typically takes about 5 months.
- The March 2025 French and PNP draws signal Canada’s continued commitment to settling Francophones outside Quebec and provincially backed talent.
- With 4,500 French ITAs and a CRS cutoff of 410, plus 725 PNP ITAs at 667, these rounds offer hope and opportunity for thousands.
- Whether you’re polishing your language skills or eyeing a provincial nomination, now’s the time to act.
- Stay tuned for more Express Entry updates, and start building your path to Canadian permanent residency today!