Express Entry CRS Cut-Off 2026: Every Category, Latest Draws and What It Means
Express Entry CRS 2026 cut-offs are the numbers every PGWP holder in Canada is watching. By 28 September 2026, IRCC had held 57 draws and issued 129,715 invitations to apply for permanent residence. But the invitations are going to very specific groups. Here is what the draws really show.
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Last checked: 29 September 2026, after draw #445. Figures come from IRCC’s Express Entry rounds data. Draws happen every week or two, so check the IRCC rounds page for the latest. This is general information, not immigration advice.
Latest draws and the Express Entry CRS cut-off
- The latest draw was #445 on 28 September 2026: a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw with 733 invitations at a cut-off of 725.
- The latest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw was on 15 September 2026: 2,000 invitations at 519.
- CEC cut-offs in 2026 have ranged from 507 (17 March) to 523 (18 August).
Invitations by category in 2026
| Category | Invitations (ITAs) | Draws |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 53,250 | 16 |
| French-language proficiency | 50,500 | 10 |
| Healthcare and social services | 11,500 | 3 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,270 | 19 |
| Trades | 3,000 | 1 |
| Senior managers | 1,000 | 3 |
| Physicians | 891 | 3 |
| Transport | 300 | 1 |
There have been no STEM, education or researcher draws so far in 2026, even though these are official categories.
Recent category cut-offs
- French: 382 (19 August, 5,000 ITAs)
- Healthcare: 475 (4 September, 3,500 ITAs)
- Transport: 470 (7 August, 300 ITAs)
- Senior managers: 389 (16 September, 250 ITAs)
- Physicians: 198 (3 September, 229 ITAs)
French-speaking candidates are getting invitations at scores more than 100 points lower than CEC candidates. For many Indian and Nepali graduates, learning French to NCLC 7 is the biggest single way to improve their chances.
How many people are ahead of you
On 27 September 2026, the Express Entry pool had 229,904 profiles:
| CRS range | Profiles |
|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 728 |
| 501-600 | 21,070 |
| 451-500 | 73,131 |
| 401-450 | 62,611 |
| 351-400 | 47,298 |
| 301-350 | 17,359 |
| 0-300 | 7,707 |
Most candidates have an Express Entry CRS score between 401 and 500, below recent CEC cut-offs.
How to raise your Express Entry CRS score in 2026
- Language scores matter most. Higher IELTS or CELPIP results add points quickly.
- French can move you into French category draws at much lower scores.
- Canadian work experience in a skilled job adds points, and a second year adds more.
- Job offers no longer give CRS points. Arranged-employment points were removed on 25 March 2025.
- Provincial nomination adds 600 points, but PNP streams are competitive.
Proposed Express Entry CRS changes (not law yet)
IRCC consulted from 23 April to 24 May 2026 on possible reforms. The proposals include merging CEC, FSW and FST into one program, adding points for high-wage Canadian work, and removing or reducing points for Canadian study credentials except graduate degrees. These are proposals only. Any change would be published in the Canada Gazette, and no date has been set.
The 33,000-worker initiative: who it really covers
IRCC is fast-tracking permanent residence for up to 33,000 workers in smaller communities. It only covers people who already have PR applications in certain programs and have lived at least 2 years in smaller communities. It is not a new pathway and does not accept new applications.
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