Express Entry: Trends in 2026
Hello World! Many people feel that Canada raises the bar for PR each year. However, early this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a large number of ITAs through multiple Express Entry draws. IRCC also conducted the first draw under a new category. These trends differ significantly from last year. We will walk you through the key changes in this blog.
What is Express Entry?
Canada launched Express Entry in 2015 to manage PR applications. The system does not follow a first-come, first-served process. Instead, it ranks candidates based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors such as age, education, and language ability.
Over time, the government placed more emphasis on Canadian work experience and prioritized people already living in Canada.. As a result, , the government introduced category-based draws to attract French speakers and workers in high-demand sectors in 2023.
Trends in 2026
Since the beginning of 2026, IRCC has clearly shown a trend toward actively selecting candidates who work in Canada and those in priority sectors at lower CRS scores than before. Key highlights include:
① CEC：Total of 24,000 ITAs issued with a CRS cut-off score of 510 or below
② French Category：8,500 ITAs issued in the largest draw ever in this category
③ Physician Category：First draw held on February 19, with a CRS cut-off score of 169
④ Healthcare and Social Services Category：4,000 ITAs issued since the beginning of the year
| Date | Round type | Lowest CRS score | ITAs |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | French | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3, 2026 | CEC | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2, 2026 | PNP | 710 | 264 |
| February 20, 2026 | Healthcare and Social Services Occupations | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19, 2026 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17, 2026 | CEC | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16, 2026 | PNP | 789 | 279 |
| February 6, 2026 | French | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3, 2026 | PNP | 749 | 423 |
| January 21, 2026 | CEC | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20, 2026 | PNP | 746 | 681 |
| January 7, 2026 | CEC | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5, 2026 | PNP | 711 | 574 |
Please refer to IRCC’s website for the Express Entry draw results.
① CEC
The CEC cut-off score dropped below 510 for the first time since September 2024. One possible reason is the removal of CRS points for LMIA-based job offers after March 25, 2025. This change has likely lowered the overall score level in the pool.
（Related article: Update on Express Entry Point System）
Although IRCC usually increases ITA issuance at the beginning of each year, this year already shows 24,000 invitations. This pace is about twice as fast as the same period of last year. -.
Last year, the government announced a temporary measure that allows up to 33,000 work permit holders to transition to PR between 2026 and 2027. This measure does not count toward the regular annual immigration targets. The government aims to retain workers who already have work experience in Canada. The recent CEC-focused draws may align with this policy direction.
*The government has not clarified whether Express Entry will apply to this measure.
（Related article: Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028）
② French Category
The government has prioritized the French category at lower CRS scores since last year. The recent draw in 2026 has already issued 8,500 ITAs, exceeding last year’s largest draw.
③ Physician Category
A new physician category launched in 2026, and the first draw took place on February 19. The CRS cut-off score reached only 169, the second-lowest score in Express Entry history. Only the CEC draw at 75 during the 2021 COVID period ranks lower.
This category aims to address Canada’s nationwide physician shortage. The remarkably low score shows a clear intention to fast-track PR for foreign doctors who already contribute to the healthcare system in Canada.
（Related article: New Express Entry Category For Doctors）
④ Healthcare and Social Services Category
Healthcare has remained a priority category since 2023. In 2025, five draws issued 12,000 ITAs. CRS scores ranged from 470 to 510, and the lowest cut-off reached 462. Large Healthcare draws happened later in 2025. In contrast, 2026 has already seen a 4,000-ITA draw with slightly lower CRS scores.
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So far in 2026, Express Entry shows a clear shift. The system now invites not only high-scoring candidates but also large numbers of applicants in priority categories, even with lower CRS scores. If you are interested in applying for a PR in Canada, we recommend to follow the latest draw trends.
We offer a free eligibility assessment for Express Entry applicants. If you’re interested, please attach your English resume and submit your inquiry through our form.
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