Express Entry draws in fall 2026: who got invited and what the cut-off scores tell us
The numbers at a glance
Between 14 September and 28 October 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held 12 Express Entry rounds and sent 23,253 invitations to apply for permanent residence.
| Draw type | Rounds | Invitations | Lowest score invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 2 | 10,000 | 407 to 435 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 3 | 6,500 | 518 to 519 |
| Trades occupations | 1 | 3,500 | 476 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4 | 2,853 | 725 to 772 |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | 1 | 250 | 389 |
| Transport occupations | 1 | 150 | 477 |
"Lowest score invited" is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of the last person invited in that round. You can see every round on our Express Entry draws page.
1. Category-based draws now take most invitations
Draws for a specific group (French speakers, trades, transport, senior managers) gave out 13,900 invitations, about six in ten of the total. Program rounds for the Canadian Experience Class and provincial nominees gave out the rest.
In these weeks, most category rounds invited people with lower scores than the Canadian Experience Class rounds.
2. French-language rounds were the largest
The two French-language rounds invited 5,000 people each, with cut-offs of 435 and then 407. That is 83 to 112 points below the Canadian Experience Class rounds in the same weeks.
French-language rounds had the lowest cut-offs of the period, except for the single senior managers round.
3. The Canadian Experience Class is steady but high
Three rounds invited 2,000, 2,000 and 2,500 people. The cut-off barely moved: 519, 518, 519. Candidates in this group usually already work in Canada, which is why the scores are high.
4. Provincial nominee scores look high for a reason
Provincial Nominee Program rounds had cut-offs between 725 and 772. A provincial nomination through Express Entry adds 600 points to a CRS score, so these candidates had about 125 to 172 points before the nomination.
The hard part is getting the nomination from a province, not the Express Entry score.
5. New and small categories
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience had one round in this period: 250 invitations at a cut-off of 389, the lowest of all.
- Transport occupations invited 150 people at 477.
- Trades occupations invited 3,500 people at 476.
On 16 October 2026 IRCC announced that it is refocusing Express Entry on top talent, along with changes for high-wage occupations. Read the announcement on the official site for the details, because new categories can change who is invited next.
What this means for you
- Look at the category you may fit, not only the general cut-off.
- In these rounds, French-language, trades and Canadian Experience Class draws gave out the most invitations.
- Draw sizes and cut-offs change every round. Past draws do not promise future ones.
About this article
This article was written by the Newcomer Board editorial team with the help of AI tools. Every number comes from IRCC's published rounds of invitations, checked on 30 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.