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: #448

✅ Date of Round: October 13, 2026 at 10:25:58 UTC 

✅ Type of Draw: Provincial Nominee Program

✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 752

✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 772
✅ Tie-Breaking Rule: July 15, 2026 at 13:57:33 UTC

The latest Express Entry draw #448 issued 752 invitations in the Provincial Nominee Program Category, targeting individuals with work experience in Canada across different skilled sectors. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is proactively offering permanent residency opportunities this year, highlighting the importance of keeping skilled professionals in the country. This marks the 60th Express Entry draw in 2026, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 772. Candidates who get shortlisted in the Express Entry pool will get a boost of 600 CRS points.

The last Express Entry Draw #447 issued 3,500 invitations under the Trades category for professionals already working in the country in a designated job role and industry. The high number of invitations under the skilled trades category reflects Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC’s) focus on retaining skilled workers across different construction and trade categories. The minimum CRS cutoff for the draw is 476, and this is the 59th Express Entry draw of 2026.

Canada Express Entry Next Draw Prediction

IRCC conducted the latest Express Entry draw on October 13, 2026, for the Provincial Nominee Program candidates, with the next draw predicted for October 14, 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: 135,967

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.

Express Entry manages applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Typically, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada holds three to four draws 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 applied under the Express Entry draw and qualified for various immigration routes, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program, by meeting the minimum CRS cutoff.

2. Program-Specific Invitation Round

The program-specific invitation round is for eligible candidates who apply for a specific invitation round, usually including Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, and focuses on actively hiring 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 published only as instructions 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: In 2023, IRCC overhauled the Express Entry system 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.

Since 2024, 

• Canada’s federal government and IRCC have actively planned PR targets. 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 held bi-weekly draws since 2023, with STEM-specific draws responding well 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 efforts to attract skilled professionals from around the world.