Express Entry Draw #228 | 2,000 Invited in All-Program Draw

Canada held an Express Entry draw for all programs on August 3, 2022. In the 228^th Express Entry round of invitations, the Canadian government invited 2,000 candidates with a CRS score of at least 533.

Draw Number: 228
Date of Draw: August 3, 2022
Number of Invitations Issued: 2,000
Minimum CRS: 533
Program Specified: Non-specified
Tie-breaking rule: January 6, 2022

Will the CRS cut-off go down?

Due to the high volume of candidates in the pool, the CRS cut-off in Canada’s all-program Express Entry draws is likely to remain high until early 2023.

However, in the first quarter of 2023, Canada will start inviting Express Entry candidates based on groupings. Since candidates will be ranked against others in their grouping rather than the entire Express Entry pool, the CRS cut-off will likely be much lower than a general draw.

Groupings may be a combination of factors like work experience in an in-demand occupation, language proficiency or educational background.

The immigration minister is currently going through a thorough consultation process to determine which groupings will be invited. This process will ensure that groupings are selected fairly and based on genuine labour needs. According to the Canadian government, groupings-based draws will likely begin in the first quarter of 2023.

Should I enter the Express Entry pool now?

Even if your CRS score is below 500, you should still enter the Express Entry pool.

One of the main reasons to enter the Express Entry pool is increased visibility to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). PNPs have become an increasingly popular immigration pathway. Over the next three years, more candidates are expected to immigrate through PNPs than all Federal High Skilled Worker programs combined (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades).

Similar to the upcoming grouping-based draws, provinces frequently use the Express Entry system to scan for candidates that help to respond to labour market or demographic needs. Candidates with work experience in an in-demand occupation or even those with high french language proficiency may be invited by a province for the chance to be nominated for permanent residence. These programs often invite eligible candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. That means, just by having a profile in the Express Entry pool, you have the chance of receiving an invitation from a province.

What can we expect for future Express Entry draws?

According to IRCC, all-program Express Entry draws will continue to be held on a bi-weekly basis. Following this schedule, the next anticipated all-program Express Entry draw will be August 17, 2022.

The CRS cut-off will likely continue to slowly decline as Canada gradually returns to issuing invitations at a pre-pandemic rate.

Interested in learning more about your options to enter the Express Entry pool? Complete our free online assessment form today!