Draw #172

Express Entry draw #172 was held on January 7, 2021, issuing 4,750 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class category with a minimum CRS score of 461.

The CRS cutoff rose 7 points from the previous Canadian Experience Class draw, indicating higher competition among candidates in this category. IRCC also increased the invitation count by 1,450, signaling a broader intake for this round.

A cutoff of 461 is in the typical range for Canadian Experience Class draws. Candidates with a combination of youth, a master's degree, and strong language scores would generally clear this threshold.

Canadian Experience Class draws target candidates with at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience within the past three years.

If your CRS score is within 30 points of this cutoff, focusing on language test improvement or gaining additional Canadian work experience could make the difference in an upcoming draw.