Express Entry Draws 2026: CRS Cut-Offs and Category Rounds So Far

Express Entry draws 2026 have looked very different from a few years ago. Instead of large all-program rounds, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now invites candidates through a steady rhythm of Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), French-language and occupation-based category rounds. Between January 5 and October 1, 2026, IRCC held 59 rounds (round #389 to round #447). This guide breaks down the CRS cut-offs for each draw type, so you can see where your own profile stands.

All figures below come from IRCC's official rounds of invitations page and are current as of October 3, 2026. Draws happen often, so always check the latest round before making a decision. If you do not know your score yet, start with our free Express Entry CRS score calculator.

Latest Express Entry draws in 2026

Short answer: the most recent round was #447 on October 1, 2026, a Trades Occupations draw that invited 3,500 candidates at a lowest CRS score of 476. In September 2026, IRCC ran three CEC rounds (cut-offs 521, 519 and 518), two PNP rounds and four category rounds.

Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations. PNP cut-offs include the 600 points a provincial nomination adds, so a 725 cut-off means a base score of about 125 plus the nomination.

The 2026 Express Entry categories

Short answer: IRCC announced its 2026 categories on February 18, 2026. It added transport occupations, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers and researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. Its category page now lists 10 categories in total, including French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades and education.

The February 18, 2026 IRCC announcement also confirmed that CEC rounds would continue, to prioritize people already working in Canada. The current list on IRCC's category-based selection page has 10 categories:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations
• Transport occupations
• Physicians with Canadian work experience
• Senior managers with Canadian work experience
• Researchers with Canadian work experience
• Skilled military recruits

For most occupation categories, you need at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or the same amount part-time) in an eligible occupation within the last 3 years. The physician, senior manager and researcher categories count only experience gained in Canada. Being in a category does not guarantee an invitation. It only makes you eligible for those rounds when IRCC holds them.

Express Entry draws 2026: CRS cut-offs by draw type

Short answer: CEC rounds needed 507 to 523, PNP rounds 697 to 805 (including the 600 nomination points), French-language rounds 382 to 420, and healthcare and trades rounds about 467 to 477. Rounds for physicians and senior managers with Canadian work experience had the lowest cut-offs.

Rounds #389 to #447, January 5 to October 1, 2026, as published by IRCC. In total, these rounds issued 135,215 invitations. Three trends stand out:

• CEC cut-offs have crept up. They sat between 507 and 511 from January to March 2026, then between 514 and 523 from April onward, as rounds got smaller (often 2,000 invitations).
• French is the biggest shortcut. French-language rounds issued 50,500 invitations, and the August 19, 2026 round closed at 382, the lowest French cut-off of the year so far.
• New categories are small. Physician, senior manager, transport and military rounds have invited a few hundred people at a time, while STEM, education and researcher rounds have not been held at all in 2026 so far.

How crowded is the Express Entry pool?

Short answer: as of September 27, 2026, there were 229,904 candidates in the pool. Only 21,798 of them had a CRS score above 500, which is roughly where CEC rounds have been closing.

The largest group, 73,131 people, sits between 451 and 500. Most of them will not be reached by a CEC round at current cut-offs. Their realistic routes are a category round, French, or a provincial nomination.

What the 2026 draws mean for your profile

Short answer: your best Express Entry strategy in 2026 depends on which draw types you qualify for, not just on your total CRS score. Match your profile to the rounds below.

• Working in Canada with a high score (515+): CEC rounds are your main route. Many of our clients reach CEC after a post-graduation work permit, so read our 2026 PGWP field-of-study update if you are still studying.
• Score in the 450s to 480s with healthcare or trades experience: category rounds have closed at 467 to 477 in 2026. Make sure your job duties match the eligible NOC code.
• Score under 450: a provincial nomination (+600 points) or French at NCLC 7 or higher is usually the most practical lever. See our Provincial Nominee Program overview and, if you live in British Columbia, our BC PNP 2026 draws and changes post.
• Applying from India without Canadian experience: the 2026 rounds have mostly favoured candidates with Canadian experience, French or a nomination. A realistic plan often combines a higher language score with a PNP stream that accepts overseas candidates.

Remember that job offers no longer add CRS points. IRCC removed them as of March 25, 2025 (see the official CRS criteria). Our guide on how CRS points are calculated explains every factor in plain language.

How to prepare for the next draw

Short answer: keep your profile accurate, raise your score where you can, and have your documents ready before an invitation arrives, because you will have only 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.

1. Recalculate your score honestly. Use test results that are less than two years old and an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign degrees.
2. Check your NOC code. A wrong occupation code can keep you out of a category round, or lead to a refusal later.
3. Retake IELTS, CELPIP or PTE Core if you are close to CLB 9. Language is still the fastest way for most applicants to add points.
4. Look at provincial streams in parallel. A nomination changes everything. Do not wait for federal cut-offs to drop.
5. Prepare documents early. Police certificates, reference letters and proof of funds take time, especially from India. Our Express Entry step-by-step guide lists what you need.

If you want a second pair of eyes, our PR application service covers Express Entry eligibility, document checks and error checking before you submit. You will work with a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at a fixed fee you know upfront, in English, Gujarati or Hindi.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Express Entry rules, categories and cut-offs change often, and no consultant can guarantee an invitation or approval. Check the official IRCC pages linked above before you act.

Not sure which draw you fit? Book a free consultation with a licensed RCIC and get a clear plan at a fixed, affordable fee. Expert guidance. Prices you can afford.