Latest Express Entry Draw & 2026 Draw History
Track every Canada Express Entry round of 2026: the CRS cutoff score, invitations (ITAs) issued, draw type (general, PNP or category-based) and tie-break date. The tracker below refreshes automatically from official IRCC announcements.
IRCC Draw Tracker
Latest Express Entry invitation rounds. Click any draw for official details
Tie-breaking rule: February 12, 2026 at 14:42:46 UTC
View on IRCC Official Site →Check My Score Against Latest Draw
Enter your CRS score to see how you compare to the most recent draw cutoff
How Express Entry draws work
What each round means for your Canadian PR chances.
Express Entry is Canada's flagship system for skilled-worker permanent residence, managing three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST). Every eligible candidate sits in a single pool and is ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Roughly every two weeks, IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the highest-ranked candidates in a “draw.”
The three types of 2026 draws
- General draws are open to any program; cutoffs have recently sat around 500–530.
- PNP draws are only for candidates with a provincial nomination (which adds 600 points), so cutoffs run high (700+). See the provincial PNP draw tracker and the PNP score calculator.
- Category-based draws target in-demand fields (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, education) and strong French; cutoffs are often much lower. Check your occupation with the NOC & TEER finder.
How to improve your CRS score before the next draw
The biggest levers are language (reaching CLB 9 on IELTS or CELPIP), a provincial nomination (+600), French proficiency (up to +50), counting a spouse's factors, and getting your foreign education assessed. Model any change instantly with the free CRS calculator, or if you're targeting Ontario, the OINP score calculator.
Plan your Express Entry move
Free tools & guides to check your eligibility and raise your score.
Express Entry draws: FAQ
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
What was the latest Express Entry draw?
The most recent Express Entry round, with its CRS cutoff, number of invitations (ITAs) and draw type, is shown live at the top of this page. The tracker refreshes automatically after each official IRCC round.
How often does IRCC hold Express Entry draws?
IRCC typically holds Express Entry draws about every two weeks, though the schedule varies. Rounds alternate between general draws, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, and category-based draws for specific occupations or French-language ability.
What is the minimum CRS score for Express Entry in 2026?
Recent general-draw cutoffs have ranged from roughly 500 to 530. Category-based draws (healthcare, trades, STEM, French) can be considerably lower, sometimes 380 to 480, while PNP-only draws show cutoffs above 700 because they include the 600-point nomination bonus.
What are category-based Express Entry draws?
Since 2023 IRCC runs draws that target candidates with specific attributes: healthcare and social services, STEM occupations, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food, education, and strong French-language proficiency. These draws often have lower CRS cutoffs than general rounds.
Does a provincial nomination guarantee an Express Entry invitation?
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, which effectively guarantees an invitation in a subsequent PNP-specific draw. You still need an eligible Express Entry profile and a nomination from a province's Express-Entry-aligned stream.
How can I improve my CRS score before the next draw?
The biggest levers are language (retaking IELTS or CELPIP to reach CLB 9), a provincial nomination (+600), French proficiency (up to +50), getting a spouse's factors counted, and having your foreign education assessed (ECA). Use our free CRS calculator to model each change.
Wondering if your score is enough?
We'll review your CRS, work out which draw type to target, and build you a plan to get invited. The assessment is free.