Express Entry draw #242
Provincial Nominee Program round held on March 1, 2023.
Quick answer
Express Entry draw #242 was a Provincial Nominee Program round held on March 1, 2023. IRCC issued 667 invitations to apply, and the lowest CRS score invited was 748, 43 points lower than the previous PNP draw (#241).
CRS cut-off
748
-43 vs previous PNP draw (#241)
Invitations
667
Draw type
PNP
| Round | #242 |
|---|---|
| Date | March 1, 2023 |
| Round type | Provincial Nominee Program |
| Invitations issued | 667 |
| Lowest CRS score invited | 748 |
| Tie-breaking rule | December 12, 2022, at 10:48:12 UTC |
If more than one candidate had the lowest score of 748, only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before December 12, 2022, at 10:48:12 UTC were invited.
CRS score distribution of the pool
Profiles in the Express Entry pool as of March 1, 2023. This snapshot covers all candidates, not only those eligible for this round.
| CRS range | Profiles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 606 | |
| 501-600 | 2,129 | |
| 451-500 | 65,187 | |
| 491-500 | 1,756 | |
| 481-490 | 12,126 | |
| 471-480 | 20,813 | |
| 461-470 | 17,042 | |
| 451-460 | 13,450 | |
| 401-450 | 61,086 | |
| 441-450 | 12,679 | |
| 431-440 | 13,300 | |
| 421-430 | 10,680 | |
| 411-420 | 11,785 | |
| 401-410 | 12,642 | |
| 351-400 | 71,529 | |
| 301-350 | 37,131 | |
| 0-300 | 5,706 | |
| Total | 243,374 |
How this round compares
- Its cut-off of 748 was the 3rd lowest of 5 PNP draws in 2023 (average 748).
- Compared with the previous PNP draw (#241, February 15, 2023): cut-off -43, invitations 699 → 667.
- Between the pool snapshots of February 15, 2023 and March 1, 2023, the pool changed by +3,110 profiles overall and +595 profiles above 500 points.
Previous PNP draws
| Round | Date | Invitations | CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| #241 | February 15, 2023 | 699 | 791 |
| #239 | February 1, 2023 | 893 | 733 |
| #225 | June 22, 2022 | 636 | 752 |
| #224 | June 8, 2022 | 932 | 796 |
| #223 | May 25, 2022 | 590 | 741 |
Frequently asked questions
What was the CRS cut-off for Express Entry draw #242?+
748. IRCC invited 667 candidates in this Provincial Nominee Program round on March 1, 2023; everyone invited had a CRS score of at least 748.
What was the tie-breaking rule in draw #242?+
December 12, 2022, at 10:48:12 UTC. Candidates with exactly 748 points were invited only if they submitted their profile before that date and time.
Who could be invited in draw #242?+
Only candidates eligible for the PNP round type. Rounds open only to candidates who hold a provincial or territorial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points — which is why cut-offs are usually above 600.
Check your CRS score to see how you compare with this round.
Source: IRCC rounds of invitations.