Federal Skilled Trades (FST) draws
Program-specific rounds for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Quick answer
The latest FST draw was round #159 on August 6, 2020, with 250 invitations and a minimum CRS score of 415. Over the past 12 months, 2 FST draws had cut-offs between 357 and 415 (average 386).
Last updated October 28, 2026 · Source: IRCC
Latest cut-off
415
#159 · August 6, 2020
Latest invitations
250
12-month range
357–415
2 draws, avg 386
All-time
7
draws · 3,055 invitations
Recent trend
Across the last five FST draws, the average cut-off was 335 — up 115 points compared with the five before (220). Rounds have been similar in size, averaging 430 invitations versus 453.
How often
Across the last 6 FST draws, rounds were typically about 210 days apart. IRCC doesn't publish a schedule, so treat this as a pattern, not a prediction.
FST draws by year
| Year | Draws | Invitations | Lowest | Highest | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 250 | 415 | 415 | 415 |
| 2019 | 2 | 1,000 | 332 | 357 | 345 |
| 2018 | 2 | 900 | 284 | 288 | 286 |
| 2017 | 2 | 905 | 199 | 241 | 220 |
Every FST draw
| # | Date | Invitations | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 159 | August 6, 2020 | 250 | 415 |
| 128 | October 16, 2019 | 500 | 357 |
| 117 | May 15, 2019 | 500 | 332 |
| 100 | September 24, 2018 | 400 | 284 |
| 91a | May 30, 2018 | 500 | 288 |
| 76 | November 1, 2017 | 505 | 241 |
| 64 | May 26, 2017 | 400 | 199 |
Frequently asked questions
What CRS score do you need for a FST draw?+
There's no fixed score — each round sets its own cut-off. In 2020, FST draws had minimum CRS scores between 415 and 415 (average 415). The most recent, round #159 on August 6, 2020, invited candidates with 415 or more.
How often are FST draws held?+
IRCC doesn't publish a schedule. Over the last 6 FST draws, the typical gap between rounds was about 210 days.
How many invitations were issued in FST draws in 2020?+
250 invitations across 1 FST draws in 2020, according to IRCC's rounds data.
Other draw types: CEC · PNP · French · Healthcare · Trades · STEM · Transport · Education · Agriculture · Physicians · Senior managers · Military · FSW · General
Want to see how your score compares? Calculate your CRS score. Category eligibility is set by IRCC for each round — check the official round details before relying on any category.
Source: IRCC rounds of invitations.