The latest Express Entry draw was round 453 on October 28, 2026: a Transport occupations round that issued 150 invitations to apply (ITAs) at a CRS cut-off of 477. This page is a continuously updated hub for every recent Express Entry draw of 2026: the date, the round type, how many invitations to apply IRCC issued, and the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited. All figures below were taken directly from IRCC's official rounds of invitations record and verified on October 28, 2026, 2:20 p.m. Pacific. Cut-offs change with every round, so treat this as a live snapshot and confirm the newest number on the official page before you rely on it.
The single most useful read from the latest draws
Here is the one actionable pattern in the current numbers: the category-based rounds are cutting far below the general programs. In July alone, the French-language proficiency rounds came in at CRS 399 and 420, while the Canadian Experience Class sat at 516. That gap is not a rounding error, it is a doorway. If your profile can qualify for a category, the score you actually need to be invited can drop by 100 points or more. Someone sitting in the pool this week at, say, 430 is nowhere near a CEC invitation but could be invited in a category round they are eligible for. The move this week is to find out which category, if any, your profile fits, and to make sure your Express Entry profile is already in the pool so you can be ranked the moment a category round runs.
The latest Express Entry draw and recent rounds
The most recent Express Entry rounds are listed below, newest first. Round type is the program or category IRCC invited from, and CRS cut-off is the score of the lowest-ranked candidate who received an invitation in that round.
Round 453, October 28, 2026: Transport occupations, 150 invitations, CRS cut-off 477.
Round 452, October 27, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 407.
Round 451, October 26, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 792 invitations, CRS cut-off 761.
Round 450, October 16, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 435.
Round 449, October 15, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 519.
Round 448, October 13, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 752 invitations, CRS cut-off 772.
Round 447, October 1, 2026: Trades occupations, 3,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 476.
Round 446, September 29, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 518.
Round 445, September 28, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 733 invitations, CRS cut-off 725.
Round 444, September 16, 2026: Senior managers with Canadian work experience, 250 invitations, CRS cut-off 389.
Round 443, September 15, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 519.
Round 442, September 14, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 576 invitations, CRS cut-off 734.
Round 441, September 4, 2026: Healthcare and social services occupations, 3,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 475.
Round 440, September 3, 2026: Physicians with Canadian work experience, 229 invitations, CRS cut-off 198.
Round 439, September 1, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 521.
Round 438, August 31, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 562 invitations, CRS cut-off 697.
Round 437, August 19, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 382.
Round 436, August 18, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 1,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 523.
Round 435, August 17, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 442 invitations, CRS cut-off 760.
Round 434, August 7, 2026: Transport occupations, 300 invitations, CRS cut-off 470.
Round 433, August 6, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 391.
Round 432, August 5, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 3,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 516.
Round 431, August 4, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 507 invitations, CRS cut-off 768.
Round 430, July 23, 2026: Skilled Military Recruits, 4 invitations, CRS cut-off 368.
Round 429, July 22, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 399.
Round 428, July 21, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 516.
Round 427, July 20, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 511 invitations, CRS cut-off 744.
Round 426, July 10, 2026: Senior managers with Canadian work experience, 500 invitations, CRS cut-off 392.
Round 425, July 9, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 420.
Round 424, July 7, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 517.
Source: IRCC, Express Entry rounds of invitations (official table). Verified October 28, 2026, 2:20 p.m. Pacific. IRCC adds each new round to that table as it happens, so it is the source of truth for the current number.
The headline change since the last update is Round 453 on October 28, 2026, a Transport occupations round that invited 150 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 477. It follows Round 452 on October 27, 2026, a French-language proficiency round that invited 5,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 407, and Round 451 on October 26, 2026, a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 792 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 761. Each round has its own analysis section further down this page.
Every 2026 Express Entry draw: the rolling table
Below is the full rolling record of every 2026 round to date, newest first. This is the reference list people bookmark: use it to see where the cut-offs have actually landed by category so you can judge whether your own CRS score is realistic for the Express Entry round you are targeting. Between January 5 and October 28, 2026, IRCC held 65 rounds.
Round 453, October 28, 2026: Transport occupations, 150 invitations, CRS cut-off 477.
Round 452, October 27, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 407.
Round 451, October 26, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 792 invitations, CRS cut-off 761.
Round 450, October 16, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 435.
Round 449, October 15, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 519.
Round 448, October 13, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 752 invitations, CRS cut-off 772.
Round 447, October 1, 2026: Trades occupations, 3,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 476.
Round 446, September 29, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 518.
Round 445, September 28, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 733 invitations, CRS cut-off 725.
Round 444, September 16, 2026: Senior managers with Canadian work experience, 250 invitations, CRS cut-off 389.
Round 443, September 15, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 519.
Round 442, September 14, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 576 invitations, CRS cut-off 734.
Round 441, September 4, 2026: Healthcare and social services occupations, 3,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 475.
Round 440, September 3, 2026: Physicians with Canadian work experience, 229 invitations, CRS cut-off 198.
Round 439, September 1, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 521.
Round 438, August 31, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 562 invitations, CRS cut-off 697.
Round 437, August 19, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 382.
Round 436, August 18, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 1,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 523.
Round 435, August 17, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 442 invitations, CRS cut-off 760.
Round 434, August 7, 2026: Transport occupations, 300 invitations, CRS cut-off 470.
Round 433, August 6, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 391.
Round 432, August 5, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 3,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 516.
Round 431, August 4, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 507 invitations, CRS cut-off 768.
Round 430, July 23, 2026: Skilled Military Recruits, 4 invitations, CRS cut-off 368.
Round 429, July 22, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 399.
Round 428, July 21, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 516.
Round 427, July 20, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 511 invitations, CRS cut-off 744.
Round 426, July 10, 2026: Senior managers with Canadian work experience, 500 invitations, CRS cut-off 392.
Round 425, July 9, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 420.
Round 424, July 7, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 517.
Round 423, July 6, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 534 invitations, CRS cut-off 708.
Round 422, June 25, 2026: Healthcare and social services occupations, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 475.
Round 421, June 24, 2026: Physicians with Canadian work experience, 271 invitations, CRS cut-off 223.
Round 420, June 23, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 516.
Round 419, June 22, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 955 invitations, CRS cut-off 730.
Round 418, May 28, 2026: French-language proficiency, 4,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 409.
Round 417, May 27, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 3,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 518.
Round 416, May 25, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 334 invitations, CRS cut-off 805.
Round 415, May 11, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 380 invitations, CRS cut-off 798.
Round 414, April 29, 2026: French-language proficiency, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 400.
Round 413, April 28, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 514.
Round 412, April 27, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 473 invitations, CRS cut-off 795.
Round 411, April 15, 2026: French-language proficiency, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 419.
Round 410, April 14, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 515.
Round 409, April 13, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 324 invitations, CRS cut-off 786.
Round 408, April 2, 2026: Trades occupations, 3,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 477.
Round 407, March 31, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 2,250 invitations, CRS cut-off 509.
Round 406, March 30, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 356 invitations, CRS cut-off 802.
Round 405, March 18, 2026: French-language proficiency, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 393.
Round 404, March 17, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 507.
Round 403, March 16, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 362 invitations, CRS cut-off 742.
Round 402, March 5, 2026: Senior managers with Canadian work experience, 250 invitations, CRS cut-off 429.
Round 401, March 4, 2026: French-language proficiency, 5,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 397.
Round 400, March 3, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 508.
Round 399, March 2, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 264 invitations, CRS cut-off 710.
Round 398, February 20, 2026: Healthcare and social services occupations, 4,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 467.
Round 397, February 19, 2026: Physicians with Canadian work experience, 391 invitations, CRS cut-off 169.
Round 396, February 17, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 6,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 508.
Round 395, February 16, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 279 invitations, CRS cut-off 789.
Round 394, February 6, 2026: French-language proficiency, 8,500 invitations, CRS cut-off 400.
Round 393, February 3, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 423 invitations, CRS cut-off 749.
Round 392, January 21, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 6,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 509.
Round 391, January 20, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 681 invitations, CRS cut-off 746.
Round 390, January 7, 2026: Canadian Experience Class, 8,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 511.
Round 389, January 5, 2026: Provincial Nominee Program, 574 invitations, CRS cut-off 711.
Source: IRCC, Express Entry rounds of invitations (official table). Verified October 28, 2026, 2:20 p.m. Pacific. Figures can change without notice and the table is updated after each round.
Round-by-round analysis
The sections below are Ansari Immigration's reading of IRCC's published numbers for each round, newest first. Every figure comes from IRCC's official rounds feed; the interpretation is ours and is general information, not advice on your file.
Round 453, Transport occupations, October 28, 2026: 150 invitations at CRS 477
Round 453 on October 28, 2026 was a Transport occupations round that invited 150 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 477.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
453 |
October 28, 2026 |
Transport occupations |
150 |
477 |
June 4, 2026 21:48:22 |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Transport occupations round (Round 434, August 7, 2026), the cut-off rose by 7 points from 470 to 477, the invitation count fell by 150 from 300 to 150, and the two rounds were 82 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 2 Transport occupations rounds with 450 invitations in total and cut-offs from 470 to 477; across every category IRCC has held 65 rounds and issued 149,409 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The 477 cut-off is the higher of the two Transport occupations cut-offs this year (Round 434 was 470) and sits 42 points below the latest Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 449, CRS 519), 1 point above the latest Trades occupations cut-off (Round 447, CRS 476) and 70 points above the latest French-language proficiency cut-off (Round 452, CRS 407). At 150 invitations it is half the size of Round 434, so a small group was invited above a relatively high bar. The tie-break cut-off for candidates exactly at 477 was June 4, 2026, 146 days before the draw.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps candidates with a CRS of at least 477 whose recent work experience falls in the occupations IRCC lists for the Transport occupations category, and candidates exactly at 477 whose profile was submitted before the tie-break cut-off above. Candidates below 477, or outside those occupations, are ranked only in the general or other category rounds.
What to do this week: This week, compare your occupation and recent work experience with the Transport occupations eligibility list on canada.ca, make sure your profile's NOC codes and dates match your reference letters, and check your CRS against 477. A score between 470 and 476 would have cleared the August round but not this one.
If your CRS sits near 477 and you want a second look at your options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 28, 2026, 2:20 p.m. Pacific.
Round 452, French-language proficiency, October 27, 2026: 5,000 invitations at CRS 407
Round 452 on October 27, 2026 was a French-language proficiency round that invited 5,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 407.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
452 |
October 27, 2026 |
French-language proficiency |
5,000 |
407 |
July 13, 2026 19:22:00 |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last French-language proficiency round (Round 450, October 16, 2026), the cut-off fell by 28 points from 435 to 407, the invitation count was unchanged at 5,000, and the two rounds were 11 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 12 French-language proficiency rounds with 60,500 invitations in total and cut-offs from 382 to 435; across every category IRCC has held 64 rounds and issued 149,259 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The 407 cut-off gives back part of the jump seen in Round 450: it is 28 points below that round's 435 but still 25 points above Round 437 (382), and it is the fifth-highest of the 12 French-language proficiency rounds this year (only 435, 420, 419 and 409 were higher). It sits 112 points below the latest Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 449, CRS 519) and 69 points below the latest Trades occupations cut-off (Round 447, CRS 476). The tie-break cut-off for candidates exactly at 407 was July 13, 2026, 106 days before the draw, compared with 10 days before the draw in Round 450. Two 5,000-invitation French-language rounds in 11 days put 10,000 invitations into this category, with a Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 451, 792 invitations) in between.
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates whose tested French meets the category requirement and whose CRS is at or above 407, and candidates exactly at 407 whose profile was submitted before the tie-break cut-off above. It does not reach candidates below 407, or candidates without qualifying French results who are not selected through another category, a Canadian Experience Class round or a provincial nomination.
What to do this week: This week, if you have French test results, confirm they are valid and entered correctly on your profile, then compare your CRS with 407: a score between 407 and 434 did not reach the October 16 cut-off of 435 but cleared this round. If you have no French results, check whether a category such as healthcare or trades fits your occupation instead.
If your CRS sits near 407 and you want a second look at your options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 27, 2026, 11:15 a.m. Pacific.
Round 451, Provincial Nominee Program, October 26, 2026: 792 invitations at CRS 761
Round 451 on October 26, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 792 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 761.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
451 |
October 26, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
792 |
761 |
April 3, 2026 18:00:26 |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 448, October 13, 2026), the cut-off fell by 11 points from 772 to 761, the invitation count rose by 40 from 752 to 792, and the two rounds were 13 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 21 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 10,814 invitations in total and cut-offs from 697 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 63 rounds and issued 144,259 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: A Provincial Nominee Program round only invites candidates who already hold a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, so its cut-off of 761 sits 242 points above the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 449, CRS 519) and 285 points above the latest Trades occupations cut-off (Round 447, CRS 476). The 792 invitations are the most issued in this category since Round 419 (955 invitations, June 22), and the last three rounds in this category (733, 752 and 792 invitations) are each larger than any Provincial Nominee Program round between Round 420 and Round 444, where the largest was 576. The tie-break cut-off for candidates exactly at 761 was April 3, 2026, 206 days before the draw.
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates who already hold a provincial nomination in their Express Entry profile. It does not rank candidates without one: at a cut-off of 761, a profile without the 600 nomination points is below the line.
What to do this week: This week, check whether your profile carries a provincial nomination and respond to any invitation before the deadline printed on it. If you have no nomination, compare your CRS with the latest Canadian Experience Class cut-off of 519 (Round 449) and review which provincial streams select from the Express Entry pool.
If your CRS sits near 761 and you want a second look at your options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 27, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Pacific.
Round 450, French-language proficiency, October 16, 2026: 5,000 invitations at CRS 435
Round 450 on October 16, 2026 was a French-language proficiency round that invited 5,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 435.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
450 |
October 16, 2026 |
French-language proficiency |
5,000 |
435 |
October 6, 2026 |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last French-language proficiency round (Round 437, August 19, 2026), the cut-off rose by 53 points from 382 to 435, the invitation count was unchanged at 5,000, and the two rounds were 58 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 11 French-language proficiency rounds with 55,500 invitations in total and cut-offs from 382 to 435; across every category IRCC has held 62 rounds and issued 143,467 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The 435 cut-off is the highest of the 11 French-language proficiency rounds this year, 15 points above the previous high of 420 (Round 425, July 9) and 53 points above Round 437 (382). It still sits 84 points below the latest Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 449, CRS 519) and 41 points below the latest Trades occupations cut-off (Round 447, CRS 476). The tie-break cut-off for candidates exactly at 435 was October 6, 2026, only 10 days before the draw, whereas Round 437 reached back to March 1, 2026.
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates whose tested French meets the category requirement and whose CRS is at or above 435, and candidates exactly at 435 whose profile was submitted before the tie-break cut-off above. It does not reach candidates below 435, or candidates without qualifying French results who are not selected through another category, a Canadian Experience Class round or a provincial nomination.
What to do this week: This week, if you have French test results, confirm they are valid and entered correctly on your profile, then compare your CRS with 435: the bar for this category moved up 53 points in one round, so a score that cleared 382 in August would not have cleared this time. If you have no French results, check whether a category such as healthcare or trades fits your occupation instead.
If your CRS sits near 435 and you want a second look at your options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 16, 2026, 11:13 a.m. Pacific.
Round 449, Canadian Experience Class, October 15, 2026: 2,500 invitations at CRS 519
Round 449 on October 15, 2026 was a Canadian Experience Class round that invited 2,500 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 519.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
449 |
October 15, 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class |
2,500 |
519 |
September 21, 2026 19:00:47 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Canadian Experience Class round (Round 446, September 29, 2026), the cut-off rose by 1 point, the invitation count rose by 500 to 2,500, and the two rounds were 16 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 18 Canadian Experience Class rounds with 57,750 invitations in total and cut-offs from 507 to 523; across every category IRCC has held 61 rounds and issued 138,467 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The 2,500 invitations are the most issued in this category since Round 432 (3,000 invitations, August 5), and the 519 cut-off matches Round 443 (September 15) while sitting 1 point above Round 446 (518). The tie-break cut-off for candidates exactly at 519 was September 21, 2026, 19:00:47 UTC, only 24 days before the draw, whereas Round 446 reached back to February 13, 2026. For comparison, 519 is 43 points above the latest Trades occupations cut-off (Round 447, CRS 476) and 137 points above the latest French-language cut-off (Round 437, CRS 382).
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates with skilled Canadian work experience whose CRS is at or above 519, and candidates exactly at 519 whose profile was submitted before the tie-break time above. It does not reach candidates below 519 who are not selected through a category round or a provincial nomination.
What to do this week: This week, compare your current CRS with 519 and, if you are within a few points, check whether your language results or work-experience details on your profile are current. If you sit well below 519, check whether a category such as French, healthcare or trades fits your profile, or whether a provincial stream selects from the Express Entry pool.
If your CRS sits near 519 and you want a second look at your options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 15, 2026, 10:16 a.m. Pacific.
Round 448, Provincial Nominee Program, October 13, 2026: 752 invitations at CRS 772
Round 448 on October 13, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 752 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 772.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
448 |
October 13, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
752 |
772 |
July 15, 2026 13:57:33 |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 445, September 28, 2026), the cut-off rose by 47 points, the invitation count rose by 19 to 752, and the two rounds were 15 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 20 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 10,022 invitations in total and cut-offs from 697 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 60 rounds and issued 135,967 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: A Provincial Nominee Program round only invites candidates who already hold a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, so its cut-off of 772 sits 254 points above the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 446, CRS 518). The 772 cut-off is the highest of any Provincial Nominee Program round since Round 416 (CRS 805, May 25), and the 752 invitations are the most issued in this category since Round 419 (955 invitations, June 22).
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates who already hold a provincial nomination in their Express Entry profile. It does not rank candidates without one: at a cut-off of 772, a profile without the 600 nomination points is below the line.
What to do this week: This week, check whether your profile carries a provincial nomination and respond to any invitation before the deadline printed on it. If you have no nomination and sit below the general cut-off, review which provincial streams select from the Express Entry pool.
If your CRS sits near 772 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 14, 2026, 8:18 a.m. Pacific.
Round 447, Trades occupations, October 1, 2026: 3,500 invitations at CRS 476
Round 447 on October 1, 2026 was a Trades occupations round that invited 3,500 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 476.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
447 |
October 1, 2026 |
Trades occupations |
3,500 |
476 |
May 28, 2026 16:55 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Trades occupations round (Round 408, April 2, 2026), the cut-off fell by 1 point, the invitation count rose by 500 to 3,500, and the two rounds were 182 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 2 Trades occupations rounds with 6,500 invitations in total and cut-offs from 476 to 477; across every category IRCC has held 59 rounds and issued 135,215 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: Across 2026, Trades occupations rounds have cut off between 476 and 477; at 476, this round is the lowest of the year so far.
Who this helps and who it does not: Candidates with qualifying experience in the Trades occupations category were ranked at 476 or above. If your occupation is not on the category list, this round did not apply to you.
What to do this week: This week, check whether your main occupation appears on the current Trades occupations list on canada.ca and that your Express Entry profile records it correctly. If it does not, the Canadian Experience Class or a French-language route may fit better.
If your CRS sits near 476 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 446, Canadian Experience Class, September 29, 2026: 2,000 invitations at CRS 518
Round 446 on September 29, 2026 was a Canadian Experience Class round that invited 2,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 518.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
446 |
September 29, 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class |
2,000 |
518 |
February 13, 2026 20:48 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Canadian Experience Class round (Round 443, September 15, 2026), the cut-off fell by 1 point, the invitation count stayed at 2,000, and the two rounds were 14 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 17 Canadian Experience Class rounds with 55,250 invitations in total and cut-offs from 507 to 523; across every category IRCC has held 58 rounds and issued 131,715 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Canadian Experience Class cut-off of 518 sits 136 points above the most recent French-language round (Round 437, CRS 382), which shows how much lower the bar is in the French category than in the general CEC draw.
Who this helps and who it does not: This round favours candidates with skilled work experience in Canada whose CRS is at or above 518. Candidates below that score, with no category or nomination, were not reached by this round.
What to do this week: This week, open your Express Entry profile and confirm your Canadian work experience dates, job titles and NOC codes match your reference letters, then compare your current CRS with 518. If you sit below it, check whether a category such as French, healthcare or trades fits your profile.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 445, Provincial Nominee Program, September 28, 2026: 733 invitations at CRS 725
Round 445 on September 28, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 733 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 725.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
445 |
September 28, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
733 |
725 |
September 17, 2026 01:36 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 442, September 14, 2026), the cut-off fell by 9 points, the invitation count rose by 157 to 733, and the two rounds were 14 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 19 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 9,270 invitations in total and cut-offs from 697 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 57 rounds and issued 129,715 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: A Provincial Nominee Program round only invites candidates who already hold a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, so its cut-off of 725 sits 206 points above the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 443, CRS 519).
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates who already hold a provincial nomination in their Express Entry profile. It does not rank candidates without one: at a cut-off of 725, a profile without the 600 nomination points is below the line.
What to do this week: This week, check whether your profile carries a provincial nomination and respond to any invitation before the deadline printed on it. If you have no nomination and sit below the general cut-off, review which provincial streams select from the Express Entry pool.
If your CRS sits near 725 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 444, Senior managers with Canadian work experience, September 16, 2026: 250 invitations at CRS 389
Round 444 on September 16, 2026 was a Senior managers with Canadian work experience round that invited 250 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 389.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
444 |
September 16, 2026 |
Senior managers with Canadian work experience |
250 |
389 |
September 1, 2026 23:05 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Senior managers with Canadian work experience round (Round 426, July 10, 2026), the cut-off fell by 3 points, the invitation count fell by 250 to 250, and the two rounds were 68 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 3 Senior managers with Canadian work experience rounds with 1,000 invitations in total and cut-offs from 389 to 429; across every category IRCC has held 56 rounds and issued 128,982 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Senior managers with Canadian work experience cut-off of 389 sits 130 points below the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 443, CRS 519), and the round invited 250, a small pool.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps candidates with Canadian experience in senior management occupations, and the pool was small: 250 invitations. Candidates outside that group were not ranked in this round.
What to do this week: This week, check that your Canadian senior-management experience is recorded under the right occupation code, because this category ranks only profiles that meet its criteria.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 443, Canadian Experience Class, September 15, 2026: 2,000 invitations at CRS 519
Round 443 on September 15, 2026 was a Canadian Experience Class round that invited 2,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 519.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
443 |
September 15, 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class |
2,000 |
519 |
March 26, 2026 00:16 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Canadian Experience Class round (Round 439, September 1, 2026), the cut-off fell by 2 points, the invitation count stayed at 2,000, and the two rounds were 14 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 16 Canadian Experience Class rounds with 53,250 invitations in total and cut-offs from 507 to 523; across every category IRCC has held 55 rounds and issued 128,732 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: Canadian Experience Class cut-offs in 2026 have stayed in a band from 507 to 523, and this round at 519 falls inside that range.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps Canadian Experience Class candidates scoring 519 or more. If your CRS is lower and you have no nomination or category eligibility, this draw did not reach you.
What to do this week: This week, check three things: that your profile is active in the pool, that your language test results are still valid, and whether your CRS is above or below 519. If you are below, look at the categories your work history or French ability could qualify you for.
If your CRS sits near 519 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 442, Provincial Nominee Program, September 14, 2026: 576 invitations at CRS 734
Round 442 on September 14, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 576 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 734.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
442 |
September 14, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
576 |
734 |
August 29, 2026 21:39 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 438, August 31, 2026), the cut-off rose by 37 points, the invitation count rose by 14 to 576, and the two rounds were 14 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 18 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 8,537 invitations in total and cut-offs from 697 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 54 rounds and issued 126,732 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The 734 cut-off reflects nominees only: a nomination adds 600 points to a profile, which is why Provincial Nominee Program cut-offs run well above the general and category rounds. In 2026 they have ranged from 697 to 805, and this round falls inside that range.
Who this helps and who it does not: Only nominees were in play here. If you hold a provincial nomination, this is the round that ranks you; if you do not, a cut-off of 734 means this round was not open to your score.
What to do this week: This week, if you are in the pool without a nomination, look at provincial streams that select from Express Entry and check their current intake. If you already hold a nomination, make sure it is linked to your profile.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 441, Healthcare and social services occupations, September 4, 2026: 3,500 invitations at CRS 475
Round 441 on September 4, 2026 was a Healthcare and social services occupations round that invited 3,500 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 475.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
441 |
September 4, 2026 |
Healthcare and social services occupations |
3,500 |
475 |
May 26, 2026 00:26 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Healthcare and social services occupations round (Round 422, June 25, 2026), the cut-off did not change, the invitation count fell by 500 to 3,500, and the two rounds were 71 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 3 Healthcare and social services occupations rounds with 11,500 invitations in total and cut-offs from 467 to 475; across every category IRCC has held 53 rounds and issued 126,156 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Healthcare and social services occupations cut-off of 475 sits 46 points below the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 439, CRS 521), and the round invited 3,500 candidates.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps candidates whose recent work experience falls in the occupations IRCC lists for the Healthcare and social services occupations category. Candidates outside those occupations are ranked only in the general or other category rounds.
What to do this week: This week, compare your occupation and recent work experience with the Healthcare and social services occupations eligibility list on canada.ca, and make sure your profile's NOC codes and dates match your reference letters.
If your CRS sits near 475 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 440, Physicians with Canadian work experience, September 3, 2026: 229 invitations at CRS 198
Round 440 on September 3, 2026 was a Physicians with Canadian work experience round that invited 229 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 198.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
440 |
September 3, 2026 |
Physicians with Canadian work experience |
229 |
198 |
August 6, 2026 19:40 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Physicians with Canadian work experience round (Round 421, June 24, 2026), the cut-off fell by 25 points, the invitation count fell by 42 to 229, and the two rounds were 71 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 3 Physicians with Canadian work experience rounds with 891 invitations in total and cut-offs from 169 to 223; across every category IRCC has held 52 rounds and issued 122,656 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Physicians with Canadian work experience cut-off of 198 sits 323 points below the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 439, CRS 521), and the round invited 229, a small pool.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps physicians with Canadian work experience, a very small group: 229 invitations at a cut-off of 198. Candidates outside that group were not ranked in this round.
What to do this week: This week, check that your Canadian physician experience is recorded correctly in your Express Entry profile, because this category ranks only profiles that meet its criteria.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 439, Canadian Experience Class, September 1, 2026: 2,000 invitations at CRS 521
Round 439 on September 1, 2026 was a Canadian Experience Class round that invited 2,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 521.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
439 |
September 1, 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class |
2,000 |
521 |
August 18, 2026 03:24 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Canadian Experience Class round (Round 436, August 18, 2026), the cut-off fell by 2 points, the invitation count rose by 1,000 to 2,000, and the two rounds were 14 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 15 Canadian Experience Class rounds with 51,250 invitations in total and cut-offs from 507 to 523; across every category IRCC has held 51 rounds and issued 122,427 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Canadian Experience Class cut-off of 521 sits 139 points above the most recent French-language round (Round 437, CRS 382), which shows how much lower the bar is in the French category than in the general CEC draw.
Who this helps and who it does not: This round favours candidates with skilled work experience in Canada whose CRS is at or above 521. Candidates below that score, with no category or nomination, were not reached by this round.
What to do this week: This week, open your Express Entry profile and confirm your Canadian work experience dates, job titles and NOC codes match your reference letters, then compare your current CRS with 521. If you sit below it, check whether a category such as French, healthcare or trades fits your profile.
If your CRS sits near 521 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 438, Provincial Nominee Program, August 31, 2026: 562 invitations at CRS 697
Round 438 on August 31, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 562 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 697.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
438 |
August 31, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
562 |
697 |
April 12, 2026 04:32 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 435, August 17, 2026), the cut-off fell by 63 points, the invitation count rose by 120 to 562, and the two rounds were 14 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 17 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 7,961 invitations in total and cut-offs from 697 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 50 rounds and issued 120,427 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: A Provincial Nominee Program round only invites candidates who already hold a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, so its cut-off of 697 sits 174 points above the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 436, CRS 523).
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates who already hold a provincial nomination in their Express Entry profile. It does not rank candidates without one: at a cut-off of 697, a profile without the 600 nomination points is below the line.
What to do this week: This week, check whether your profile carries a provincial nomination and respond to any invitation before the deadline printed on it. If you have no nomination and sit below the general cut-off, review which provincial streams select from the Express Entry pool.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 437, French-language proficiency, August 19, 2026: 5,000 invitations at CRS 382
Round 437 on August 19, 2026 was a French-language proficiency round that invited 5,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 382.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
437 |
August 19, 2026 |
French-language proficiency |
5,000 |
382 |
March 1, 2026 18:34 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last French-language proficiency round (Round 433, August 6, 2026), the cut-off fell by 9 points, the invitation count stayed at 5,000, and the two rounds were 13 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 10 French-language proficiency rounds with 50,500 invitations in total and cut-offs from 382 to 420; across every category IRCC has held 49 rounds and issued 119,865 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: French-language proficiency cut-offs in 2026 have ranged from 382 to 420; this round at 382 is the lowest of the year so far.
Who this helps and who it does not: Candidates with qualifying French test results were ranked here at 382 or above. Without a valid French result on your profile, the category cannot invite you, regardless of your overall score.
What to do this week: This week, confirm your French results are on your profile and still valid, then compare your CRS with 382. With no French result, an approved test is what decides whether this category is open to you at all.
If your CRS sits near 382 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 436, Canadian Experience Class, August 18, 2026: 1,000 invitations at CRS 523
Round 436 on August 18, 2026 was a Canadian Experience Class round that invited 1,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 523.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
436 |
August 18, 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class |
1,000 |
523 |
August 17, 2026 22:09 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Canadian Experience Class round (Round 432, August 5, 2026), the cut-off rose by 7 points, the invitation count fell by 2,000 to 1,000, and the two rounds were 13 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 14 Canadian Experience Class rounds with 49,250 invitations in total and cut-offs from 507 to 523; across every category IRCC has held 48 rounds and issued 114,865 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: Canadian Experience Class cut-offs in 2026 have stayed in a band from 507 to 523, and this round at 523 is the highest of the year so far.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps Canadian Experience Class candidates scoring 523 or more. If your CRS is lower and you have no nomination or category eligibility, this draw did not reach you.
What to do this week: This week, check three things: that your profile is active in the pool, that your language test results are still valid, and whether your CRS is above or below 523. If you are below, look at the categories your work history or French ability could qualify you for.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 435, Provincial Nominee Program, August 17, 2026: 442 invitations at CRS 760
Round 435 on August 17, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 442 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 760.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
435 |
August 17, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
442 |
760 |
August 7, 2026 18:01 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 431, August 4, 2026), the cut-off fell by 8 points, the invitation count fell by 65 to 442, and the two rounds were 13 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 16 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 7,399 invitations in total and cut-offs from 708 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 47 rounds and issued 113,865 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The 760 cut-off reflects nominees only: a nomination adds 600 points to a profile, which is why Provincial Nominee Program cut-offs run well above the general and category rounds. In 2026 they have ranged from 708 to 805, and this round falls inside that range.
Who this helps and who it does not: Only nominees were in play here. If you hold a provincial nomination, this is the round that ranks you; if you do not, a cut-off of 760 means this round was not open to your score.
What to do this week: This week, if you are in the pool without a nomination, look at provincial streams that select from Express Entry and check their current intake. If you already hold a nomination, make sure it is linked to your profile.
If your CRS sits near 760 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 434, Transport occupations, August 7, 2026: 300 invitations at CRS 470
Round 434 on August 7, 2026 was a Transport occupations round that invited 300 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 470.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
434 |
August 7, 2026 |
Transport occupations |
300 |
470 |
October 11, 2025 14:55 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: This is the first Transport occupations round of 2026 in IRCC's record, so there is no earlier 2026 round to compare it with. Through this round, 2026 has had 1 Transport occupations round with 300 invitations in total at a cut-off of 470; across every category IRCC has held 46 rounds and issued 113,423 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Transport occupations cut-off of 470 sits 46 points below the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 432, CRS 516), and the round invited 300, a small pool.
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps candidates whose recent work experience falls in the occupations IRCC lists for the Transport occupations category. Candidates outside those occupations are ranked only in the general or other category rounds.
What to do this week: This week, compare your occupation and recent work experience with the Transport occupations eligibility list on canada.ca, and make sure your profile's NOC codes and dates match your reference letters.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 433, French-language proficiency, August 6, 2026: 5,000 invitations at CRS 391
Round 433 on August 6, 2026 was a French-language proficiency round that invited 5,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 391.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
433 |
August 6, 2026 |
French-language proficiency |
5,000 |
391 |
March 18, 2026 23:32 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last French-language proficiency round (Round 429, July 22, 2026), the cut-off fell by 8 points, the invitation count stayed at 5,000, and the two rounds were 15 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 9 French-language proficiency rounds with 45,500 invitations in total and cut-offs from 391 to 420; across every category IRCC has held 45 rounds and issued 113,123 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: At 391, the French-language proficiency cut-off sits 125 points below the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 432, CRS 516).
Who this helps and who it does not: It helps candidates whose tested French meets the category requirement, even at a CRS well below the general cut-off. It does not help profiles with no French result on file, whatever their other points.
What to do this week: This week, check that your French test results are valid and entered correctly in your profile, because the category ranks only candidates who meet its French requirement. If you have not tested yet, an approved French test is the step that opens this route.
If your CRS sits near 391 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 432, Canadian Experience Class, August 5, 2026: 3,000 invitations at CRS 516
Round 432 on August 5, 2026 was a Canadian Experience Class round that invited 3,000 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 516.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
432 |
August 5, 2026 |
Canadian Experience Class |
3,000 |
516 |
July 3, 2026 21:35 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Canadian Experience Class round (Round 428, July 21, 2026), the cut-off did not change, the invitation count rose by 1,000 to 3,000, and the two rounds were 15 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 13 Canadian Experience Class rounds with 48,250 invitations in total and cut-offs from 507 to 518; across every category IRCC has held 44 rounds and issued 108,123 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: The Canadian Experience Class cut-off of 516 sits 117 points above the most recent French-language round (Round 429, CRS 399), which shows how much lower the bar is in the French category than in the general CEC draw.
Who this helps and who it does not: This round favours candidates with skilled work experience in Canada whose CRS is at or above 516. Candidates below that score, with no category or nomination, were not reached by this round.
What to do this week: This week, open your Express Entry profile and confirm your Canadian work experience dates, job titles and NOC codes match your reference letters, then compare your current CRS with 516. If you sit below it, check whether a category such as French, healthcare or trades fits your profile.
Not sure which of these rounds your profile could be ranked in? Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC can review your Express Entry profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
Round 431, Provincial Nominee Program, August 4, 2026: 507 invitations at CRS 768
Round 431 on August 4, 2026 was a Provincial Nominee Program round that invited 507 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 768.
Round |
Date |
Category |
Invitations |
CRS cut-off |
Tie-break cut-off |
431 |
August 4, 2026 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
507 |
768 |
May 15, 2026 15:58 UTC |
Versus the previous round in this category: Against the last Provincial Nominee Program round (Round 427, July 20, 2026), the cut-off rose by 24 points, the invitation count fell by 4 to 507, and the two rounds were 15 days apart. Through this round, 2026 has had 15 Provincial Nominee Program rounds with 6,957 invitations in total and cut-offs from 708 to 805; across every category IRCC has held 43 rounds and issued 105,123 invitations since January 5.
What this signals: A Provincial Nominee Program round only invites candidates who already hold a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, so its cut-off of 768 sits 252 points above the most recent Canadian Experience Class cut-off (Round 428, CRS 516).
Who this helps and who it does not: This round helps candidates who already hold a provincial nomination in their Express Entry profile. It does not rank candidates without one: at a cut-off of 768, a profile without the 600 nomination points is below the line.
What to do this week: This week, check whether your profile carries a provincial nomination and respond to any invitation before the deadline printed on it. If you have no nomination and sit below the general cut-off, review which provincial streams select from the Express Entry pool.
If your CRS sits near 768 and you want a second look at your category options, ask Ansari Immigration to review your profile.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations, verified October 7, 2026, 4:46 p.m. Pacific.
How to read the latest Express Entry draw
Four things in the lists above tell you what a round means for you. The round number is IRCC's own sequential label for each draw. The round type is the group IRCC chose to invite from: a program-specific round (Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Program) or a category-based round (French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, trades, physicians, senior managers, or the new skilled military recruits). The ITAs issued is how many candidates were invited. The CRS cut-off is the single number most people look for: the Comprehensive Ranking System score of the lowest-ranked candidate who still got in.
The cut-off is not a target IRCC sets in advance. IRCC decides the round type and how many invitations to issue, then the cut-off falls wherever the last invited candidate happens to score. That is why a bigger round, or a round drawn from a narrower category, usually produces a lower cut-off: the invitation count reaches further down the ranked list. 2026 has featured program-specific rounds alongside category-based selection rounds. If you want the full picture of how your own number is built, see how your CRS score is calculated factor by factor before you compare yourself to any cut-off in these lists.
How Amir reads the 2026 draw pattern
The 2026 Express Entry draw history rewards a practitioner who knows which cut-off actually applies to a given candidate, and this is where reading the numbers wrong costs people a year. In practice, the numbers separate cleanly into three worlds.
Canadian Experience Class rounds have sat in a tight band all year, roughly 507 to 518. That is the number an in-Canada worker with no provincial nomination and no special category should treat as the real bar. When a client tells me they are at 505 and close, I show them this column: close is not invited, and the CEC cut-off has not dropped below 507 in any 2026 round.
Provincial Nominee Program rounds look terrifying at 708 to 805, but those numbers include the 600-point nomination bonus. A PNP cut-off of 805 does not mean you need an 805 profile; it means the invited candidates already held a provincial nomination worth 600 points on top of a human-capital score. Read the PNP line as nominated candidates only, not as a general bar.
Category-based rounds are the escape hatch, and 2026 shows it plainly. French-language proficiency draws have run between 382 and 435 all year, far below the CEC band, which is why I tell strong bilingual candidates that a tested French result is often the single highest-return move on the board. The physician rounds dropping to 169 and 223, and the July 23 skilled military recruits round at 368 with only 4 invitations, are the extreme version of the same logic: a very narrow category with a small eligible pool pulls the cut-off through the floor and keeps the round tiny. That is also the caution: eligibility for a category never guarantees a round will run for it, or that it will invite many people. Ten categories exist for 2026, but only some have actually been drawn, and one of those invited four people. Read the history, do not predict the future.
There is one thing I tell almost every candidate, and it comes straight from watching draws land. Create your Express Entry profile the moment you are eligible, even if your points are low and will not be invited soon, and then improve your score while you wait in the pool. We have had clients sitting at exactly a round's cut-off who did not get invited, purely because they entered the pool later than others at the same score. If you sit out until your points are higher, you are throwing away the time that later becomes your tie-breaking rule advantage.
Have you been invited in a 2026 round? Sharing the CRS score you were invited at in the comments gives other candidates a real-world reference point beyond the official cut-off, and keep it general rather than posting personal file details.
How the latest Express Entry draw affects your application
Reading the latest Express Entry draw changes three practical decisions. First, it sets a realistic CRS target: rather than aiming for a vague high score, you can aim at the specific band that has actually been invited in the round type you qualify for. Second, it tells you whether to chase a category: if your profile fits French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, trades, or one of the work-experience categories, those cut-offs have generally run below the CEC band, which can turn a not-enough-points profile into an invited one. Third, it shows whether a provincial nomination is the more realistic route: if your human-capital CRS is nowhere near the CEC band and you do not fit a category, a nomination that adds 600 points, through the Provincial Nominee Program, may be the practical path rather than waiting for a general cut-off that has not appeared in 2026.
None of this replaces confirming your own eligibility. Two candidates with the same CRS score can face completely different odds depending on which programs and categories they qualify for. If one row in these lists made you rethink your plan, that hesitation is worth an eligibility check with Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC, who will map your score against the exact draw band you are targeting: check your eligibility.
What to do if your CRS score does not fit the latest draw pattern
Some situations do not map neatly onto the rounds above, and these are the ones worth flagging. Work through them in order:
If your score sits just below a category cut-off, remember that category rounds are established year to year and some 2026 categories have not been drawn at all. Build your plan around your program eligibility first, and treat a category round as a bonus you may or may not receive.
If you sit exactly at a round's cut-off score, the tie-breaking rule decides your outcome based on the date and time you submitted your Express Entry profile, so an early profile submission can be the difference at the margin.
If your profile fits the Provincial Nominee Program, understand that the high PNP cut-offs reflect the 600-point nomination bonus, not the strength you need before a nomination.
If you have no realistic route to the CEC band and do not fit a current category, that is the moment to look seriously at provincial nominee options, or at whether a tested language retake, more skilled work experience, or an educational credential assessment could move your number.
When your case genuinely does not fit the standard draw pattern, that is a consultation question, not a comment-thread question, so keep the details general and get advice specific to your file.
Frequently asked questions about the latest Express Entry draw
What was the latest Express Entry draw?
As of October 28, 2026, the latest Express Entry draw was round 453 on October 28, 2026: a Transport occupations round that issued 150 invitations to apply at a CRS cut-off of 477. IRCC adds each new round to its official table as it happens, so confirm the newest figure there before relying on it.
When is the next Express Entry draw?
IRCC does not announce specific draw dates in advance. It holds rounds of invitations roughly every two weeks throughout the year, and publishes each round's instructions online at the time of the draw. Any date circulating before IRCC posts it is a prediction, not official. Check the official rounds of invitations page for the confirmed schedule and results.
What is a Skilled Military Recruits Express Entry draw?
Skilled military recruits is one of the category-based selection categories IRCC has established for 2026, alongside French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians, senior managers, and researchers. In a category round, IRCC invites top-ranking candidates who meet that specific category's requirements. The first skilled military recruits round ran on July 23, 2026 and invited only 4 candidates at CRS 368, reflecting a very small eligible pool.
How often are Express Entry draws held?
About every two weeks, according to IRCC. In practice, IRCC often runs several rounds within a few days when a program-specific round and one or more category-based rounds fall in the same window, then leaves longer gaps. In 2026 there were 59 rounds between January 5 and October 1.
How is the CRS cut-off score decided?
The cut-off is set by the results of the round, not chosen ahead of time. IRCC selects the round type and the number of invitations, then ranks eligible candidates by CRS score and invites from the top down. The cut-off is simply the score of the lowest-ranked candidate who received an invitation to apply for permanent residence, so larger and more narrowly targeted rounds tend to produce lower cut-offs.
Why are Provincial Nominee Program cut-offs so high?
PNP round cut-offs of 700 to 805 look extreme because candidates in those rounds already hold a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points to the CRS score. The underlying human-capital score is far lower; the nomination is what carries the total into the 700s and 800s. A PNP cut-off should be read as applying to nominated candidates only.
Related Posts
Express Entry Draw History 2026: Every Round, CRS Cut-Off, and Category: The complete archive of every 2026 round in one reference table, for when you need the full history rather than the latest few.
CRS Points Breakdown 2026: How Your Express Entry Score Is Calculated: The factor-by-factor reference behind every cut-off in these lists, so you can see how your own score is built.
How Express Entry Category-Based Selection Can Fast-Track Your Canadian PR: Why category rounds often cut lower than program rounds, and who qualifies for each 2026 category.
Why work with Ansari Immigration: you pay for a straight answer, not a pitch. Reading the latest draws tells you the cut-off, not which cut-off applies to you or whether a category or nomination is your route. Express Entry representation is a flat CAD $3,000, all family members included, quoted upfront, handled personally by the firm's licensed RCIC with direct access throughout. Book a 30-minute consultation ($80) to map your score against the real cut-offs: reserve a consultation time. Invited in a 2026 round? Tell us the score you were invited at in the comments, general details only, to help others gauge the bar.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.