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Express Entry Draws 2026: Latest Rounds and CRS Cut-Offs

IRCC invites Express Entry candidates in rounds, and each round has its own lowest CRS score. In October 2026, cut-offs ranged from 435 in a French-language round to 772 in a provincial nominee round, with 476 for trades and 519 for the Canadian Experience Class. There is no single cut-off; it depends on the type of round. From 3 November 2026, rounds may pause for up to two weeks while IRCC recalculates scores.

Last updated: 25 October 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

French-language round, 16 October

CRS 435, 5,000 invitations

Canadian Experience Class, 15 October

CRS 519, 2,500 invitations

Provincial Nominee Program, 13 October

CRS 772, 752 invitations

Trades, 1 October

CRS 476, 3,500 invitations

Coming up

Score recalculation from 3 November 2026

Latest Express Entry draws (October 2026)

Last checked on 25 October 2026. IRCC’s rounds of invitations page is the official record of every round, with its date, type, number of invitations and cut-off score.

Types of Express Entry draws

• General rounds invite the highest-ranked candidates from all programs.
• Program rounds invite only candidates eligible for one program, such as the Canadian Experience Class.
• Provincial Nominee Program rounds invite candidates with a provincial nomination.
• Category-based rounds invite candidates with strong French or experience in priority occupations, such as trades or healthcare.

Why are PNP cut-offs above 700?

A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. A cut-off of 772 means the lowest-ranked nominee invited had 172 points before the nomination. These rounds tell you little about the score you need without one.

How to read a cut-off score

The cut-off is the lowest CRS score among the candidates invited in that round. If several candidates have exactly that score, IRCC invites those who submitted their profile first. A past cut-off is not a promise: the next round of the same type can be higher or lower, depending on who is in the pool and how many invitations IRCC issues.

What happens to draws from 3 November 2026?

New CRS points for Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations start on 3 November 2026. IRCC says it will recalculate every profile, which can take up to two weeks, and rounds will pause during that time. Candidates with eligible Canadian experience or job offers may then score higher, which can change future cut-offs.

How often does IRCC hold draws?

IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule. In October 2026 it held four rounds in the first 16 days, each of a different type. Keep your profile up to date so you are ready for any round you qualify for.

What CRS score should you aim for?

Look at recent cut-offs for the round types you qualify for, not the highest or lowest number overall. If you only qualify for general or program rounds, compare your score with those. If you have NCLC 7 in French or experience in a category occupation, category rounds may give you a different cut-off to beat. Then plan the points you can still add, starting with language.

How to raise your score for future draws

• Language: CLB 7 to CLB 9 in all four skills adds 56 points for a single applicant, plus skill transferability points.
• French: NCLC 7 in all four skills adds a 50-point bonus with English at CLB 5 or higher, and makes you eligible for French-language rounds.
• A provincial nomination adds 600 points.
• Your spouse: their language score, education and Canadian work experience can add up to 40 points.

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. IRCC decides every application, and its rules can change.

Official sources

• Express Entry rounds of invitations (IRCC)
• Express Entry: category-based selection (IRCC)
• 2026 changes to CRS points (IRCC)
• CRS criteria (IRCC)

Rules and scores change. Check the official pages above before you book a test or apply.

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