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Migration Overseas
Express Entry
Review the latest Express Entry rounds of invitations from IRCC data, CRS cutoffs by program and category, and what changed on 3 November 2026.
How IRCC selects and invites candidates from the Express Entry pool
Express Entry draws are selection rounds conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite qualified candidates from the application pool to apply for permanent residence. In each draw, IRCC sends Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who meet specific criteria, typically based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Rounds can be program-specific (for example the Canadian Experience Class), limited to Provincial Nominee Program candidates, category-based (targeting specific occupation groups or French-language proficiency), or open to all programs. IRCC decides the type, size and timing of each round. In 2026 it held only Canadian Experience Class, provincial nominee and category-based rounds.
Different draw categories to match your immigration pathway
Invite candidates in one program, mainly the Canadian Experience Class in 2026 (cutoffs 507 to 523). IRCC held no general round, open to all programs, in 2026.
Target specific occupations or French-language proficiency, such as healthcare, trades, transport, education and senior managers. Cutoffs vary by category.
Invitations for candidates with a valid provincial or territorial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points. PNP round cutoffs in 2026 ranged from 697 to 805.
IRCC's priority occupations and demographics
IRCC uses Category-Based Selection to target specific occupations and demographics. For 2026, IRCC lists 10 categories. Except for French proficiency and skilled military recruits, candidates need 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time) in the past 3 years in one listed occupation. For physicians, senior managers and researchers that experience must be in Canada. Current categories:
Source: IRCC rounds of invitations data, latest round 453 on October 28, 2026 (checked November 6, 2026)
| Date | Type | CRS | ITAs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2026 | Transport | 477 | 150 |
| Oct 27, 2026 | French | 407 | 5,000 |
| Oct 26, 2026 | PNP | 761 | 792 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | French | 435 | 5,000 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | CEC | 519 | 2,500 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | PNP | 772 | 752 |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Trades | 476 | 3,500 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | CEC | 518 | 2,000 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | PNP | 725 | 733 |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Senior mgrs | 389 | 250 |
| Sep 15, 2026 | CEC | 519 | 2,000 |
| Sep 14, 2026 | PNP | 734 | 576 |
| Sep 4, 2026 | Healthcare | 475 | 3,500 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Physicians | 198 | 229 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | CEC | 521 | 2,000 |
On November 3, 2026 IRCC changed the Comprehensive Ranking System and paused invitation rounds while it recalculates the scores of profiles in the pool. IRCC says this could take up to two weeks and that rounds will restart when it is complete, without giving a date. The complete list of past rounds is on IRCC's rounds of invitations page. See our November 2026 CRS changes article for details of the new scoring.
Understanding score patterns and what to expect in 2026
2026 so far: IRCC held no general round (no program specified) and no STEM round in 2026. Canadian Experience Class rounds had cutoffs of 507 to 523, and most category rounds fell below that. Cutoffs in rounds held after the November 2026 rescoring are not directly comparable with these figures.
By program and category (2026, lowest CRS per round, IRCC data to October 28):
When and how often Express Entry draws occur
IRCC does not publish a schedule. In 2026 rounds came in clusters about every two weeks, and they were paused from November 3, 2026.
Selection depends on your CRS score and on meeting the round criteria on the day, not on when you entered the pool.
Rounds ran about every two weeks through 2026, including July and August.
Strategies to increase your CRS score and secure an ITA
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. PNP-specific rounds in 2026 had cutoffs of 697 to 805.
If your occupation matches a category, you can be invited in a category round, where 2026 cutoffs were generally below those of Canadian Experience Class rounds (507 to 523).
Based on IRCC's announcement, not on a forecast
IRCC paused rounds from November 3, 2026 to recalculate profiles, for up to two weeks. No restart date has been given.
Profiles now use the Labour Market Integration factor (maximum CRS 1,270), so new cutoffs will not be directly comparable with earlier ones.
IRCC lists every round on its rounds of invitations page.
Where to follow Express Entry draws
Ways to follow new rounds:
Common questions about Express Entry draws
IRCC does not publish a schedule in advance. In 2026 its rounds came in clusters about every two weeks, usually a Provincial Nominee Program round, a Canadian Experience Class round and often a category round within a few days of each other. IRCC paused invitation rounds from 3 November 2026 to recalculate profiles under the new CRS rules, which its page says can take up to two weeks, and will restart them when that is complete.
The CRS cutoff is the minimum score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in that specific draw. All candidates at or above the cutoff score are invited to apply for permanent residence.
Category-based rounds invite only candidates who meet a category requirement, such as 12 months of experience in a listed occupation or French proficiency, so the pool is smaller. In 2026 the cutoffs were French 382 to 435, healthcare 467 to 475, trades 476 to 477, transport 470 to 477 and senior managers 389 to 429, compared with 507 to 523 for Canadian Experience Class rounds. The cutoff in each round depends on who is in the pool at the time.
Yes. Express Entry profiles are valid for 12 months from the creation date. If you don't receive an ITA within 12 months, your profile expires and you must create a new one.
After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application with all supporting documents. Processing time varies, so check IRCC's current processing times tool for an estimate.
IRCC held no general round (no program specified) in 2026. Invitations went to Canadian Experience Class candidates, provincial nominees and candidates who met a category requirement. Check which of these routes your profile fits: the Canadian Experience Class needs one year of Canadian skilled work experience, a category needs experience in a listed occupation (or French proficiency), and a nomination comes from a province or territory. If none fits, ask a consultant to review your options.
According to IRCC's data for 2026 up to 28 October: Canadian Experience Class 507 to 523, French-language proficiency 382 to 435, healthcare and social services 467 to 475, trades 476 to 477, transport 470 to 477, senior managers 389 to 429, physicians 169 to 223 and Provincial Nominee Program 697 to 805. No general or STEM round was held. Cutoffs in rounds after 3 November 2026 will reflect rescored profiles under the Labour Market Integration factor, so earlier figures are not a direct guide.
Yes. You can update your profile if you achieve a higher language score, gain additional work experience or obtain a job offer in a high-wage occupation (from 3 November 2026, job offer points apply only to occupations on IRCC's high-wage list). These updates can raise your CRS score.
Our immigration experts can help maximize your CRS score and strategy for the next Express Entry draw.
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