Express Entry Next Draw Prediction 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws for one of Canada's most popular immigration pathways every 2 weeks. Because Express Entry includes several immigration routes, including the CEC and FSTP, candidates must meet a minimum CRS cutoff to receive an ITA.

✅ Invitation Round: #444

✅ Date of Round: September 16, 2026 at 12:44:28 UTC

✅ Type of Draw: Senior Managers with Canadian Experience Class

✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 250

✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 389

✅ Tie-Breaking Rule: September 1, 2026, at 23:05:13 UTC

The latest Express Entry Draw #444 issued 250 invitations for senior managers with Canadian work experience. This is the 3rd draw for senior managerial positions for those already working in Canada and planning to settle permanently. So far, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted 56 Express Entry draws in 2026 with a minimum CRS cutoff score of 389, reflecting the Canadian government's willingness to integrate occupation-specific professionals with local work experience into the economy and the country’s workforce.

The last Express Entry draw #443 issued 2,000 invitations under the Canadian Experience Class Category, indicating that the federal government is willing to grant permanent residence to those with work experience in Canada across various industries. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is actively offering opportunities for work and permanent settlement this year to candidates with local work experience. This is the 55th Express Entry draw of 2026, with a minimum CRS cutoff of 519.

Canada Express Entry Next Draw Prediction

IRCC conducted the latest Express Entry draw on September 16, 2026, for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience, with the next draw predicted for September 17, 2026. Usually, IRCC holds draws every two weeks. Still, Canada’s immigration department can change the schedule at any time, influenced by factors such as application volume and immigration targets outlined in the Canada Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028.

Canada Express Entry Draw List 2026

Total ITAs issued in 2026: 1,28,982

Express Entry Draws and Future Prospects

Throughout the year, Canada conducts regular Express Entry draws to invite eligible skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) organizes these draws, usually every week or every two weeks. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and those with the highest scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The Express Entry program remains one of the quickest and most popular pathways for skilled professionals to immigrate to Canada.

The Express Entry system oversees applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Typically, three to four draws are held each month, and invited candidates have up to 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application.

Canada Introduces Express Entry Categories for 2026

• French-language proficiency
  
  

• Healthcare and social services occupations
  
  

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
  
  

• Trade occupations (such as carpenters, plumbers, contractors, and similar roles)
  
  

• Education occupations
  
  

• Transport occupations
  
  

• Physicians with Canadian work experience
  
  

• Senior managers with Canadian work experience
  
  

• Researchers with Canadian work experience
  
  

• Skilled military recruits

Express Entry Draws – Overview by Category

Invitation Rounds

There are usually three rounds of invitations in the Express Entry draw, including specific occupation draws. Here are the three invitation rounds:

1. General Invitation Round

This invitation round is for general immigrants who have applied under the Express Entry draw and have qualified for various immigration routes, clearing the minimum CRS cutoff, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program.

2. Program-Specific Invitation Round

The program-specific invitation round is for candidates who are eligible and have applied for a specific invitation round, which usually includes the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category draws, and focuses on the active hiring of professionals with skilled work experience.

3. Category-based Invitation Round

This type of invitation round is to fill workforce gaps and isn’t entirely dependent on the minimum CRS cutoff. Under the Category-based invitation round, IRCC invites candidates from a specific pool of worker categories, such as occupation, skills, language proficiency, etc., for which there’s a workforce shortage. No advance notice is issued for the draw; it is only published in an instruction format on the website.

Canada’s evolving Express Entry draws: 2023-2026 outlook

Express Entry draws have gone through a lot of changes throughout the years, with the 2023-2026 changes being the latest on how the process, invitation rounds, and overall Express Entry draw process will go forward:

• IRCC conducted a major overhaul of the Express Entry system in 2023 by introducing category-based draws for STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), skilled trades, and language professionals, including francophone candidates.

• On August 08, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Express Entry category to bring more professionals into the healthcare sector and advance industry goals.

• Canada’s federal government and IRCC have actively planned PR targets since 2024. They will continue to do so, with Express Entry playing a crucial role in attracting individuals to the country, retaining talent, and granting Permanent Residency to deserving applicants.

• IRCC has been conducting bi-weekly draws since 2023, with a successful response to STEM-specific draws due to workforce shortages in certain occupations across the country.

• The latest Express Entry draws will remain a focal point of Canada's immigration targets and its efforts to attract skilled professionals from across the globe.