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Express Entry Draws in 2026

Introduction to Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s online immigration system used to manage applications for permanent residence under major economic immigration programs. Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the system ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and adaptability.

Candidates who create an Express Entry profile enter a pool where they compete with other applicants. IRCC regularly conducts “draws” (also called rounds of invitations) and invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Express Entry currently manages applications for:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

  • Certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams

In recent years, Canada has also introduced category-based draws targeting candidates with skills in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, trades, French-language proficiency, and STEM occupations.

Below is the complete list of Express Entry draws held in 2026 so far, ordered from latest to oldest.

Express Entry Draws 2026 (Latest to Oldest)

Draw #DateDraw TypeInvitations IssuedCRS Cut-Off
415May 11, 2026Provincial Nominee Program380798
414April 29, 2026French Language Proficiency4,000400
413April 28, 2026General / No Program Specified2,000514
412April 27, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)473795
411April 15, 2026French Language Proficiency4,000419
410April 14, 2026Canadian Experience Class (CEC)2,000515
409April 13, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)324786
408April 2, 2026Trades Occupations3,000477
407March 31, 2026Canadian Experience Class (CEC)2,250509
406March 30, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)356802
405March 18, 2026French Language Proficiency4,000393
404March 17, 2026Canadian Experience Class (CEC)4,000507
403March 16, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)362742
402March 5, 2026General / No Program Specified250429
401March 4, 2026French Language Proficiency5,500397
400March 3, 2026General / No Program Specified4,000508
399February 20, 2026Healthcare & Social Services4,000467
398February 19, 2026Physicians Category391169
397February 16, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)279789
396February 17, 2026Canadian Experience Class (CEC)6,000508
395February 6, 2026French Language Proficiency8,500400
394February 3, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)423749
393January 21, 2026Canadian Experience Class (CEC)6,000509
392January 20, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)681746
391January 8, 2026French Language Proficiency1,500461
390January 7, 2026Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)574793

Key Trends in 2026 Express Entry Draws

1. Strong Focus on French-Speaking Candidates

Canada continued prioritizing French-language proficiency draws in 2026, with several large invitation rounds and comparatively lower CRS cut-offs.

2. CEC Draws Remained Competitive

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws consistently required CRS scores above 500, reflecting strong competition among candidates with Canadian work experience.

3. Category-Based Draws Expanded

Healthcare, trades, and physician-focused draws show Canada’s growing use of targeted immigration strategies to address labour shortages.

4. PNP Draws Had Very High CRS Scores

Provincial Nominee Program draws continued to show CRS cut-offs in the 740–800 range because provincial nominees receive an additional 600 CRS points.

Final Thoughts

Express Entry remains one of the fastest and most popular pathways to Canadian permanent residence. In 2026, IRCC continued using a mix of general, program-specific, and category-based draws to meet Canada’s economic and labour market goals.

For candidates planning to immigrate to Canada, understanding CRS trends and draw patterns can help improve preparation strategies and increase the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Sources:

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