August 20, 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued another round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system, inviting 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
The latest draw continues Canada’s focus on selecting candidates who already have valuable work experience in the country and are established in the Canadian labour market.
The Canadian Experience Class draw was held on August 18, 2026. To receive an Invitation to Apply, candidates were required to meet the following criteria:
Candidates who received an ITA can now submit their application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC.
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| August 18 | Canadian Experience Class | 523 | 1,000 |
| August 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 760 | 442 |
| August 7 | Transport | 470 | 300 |
| August 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 768 | 507 |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French Language Proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
The latest draw had a CRS cut-off score of 523, which was five points higher than the previous CEC draw held on August 5, 2026.
In that earlier draw, IRCC invited 3,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 516.
The August 18 draw also issued the lowest number of invitations in a single CEC draw in 2026 so far. Despite the smaller number of invitations, the higher CRS requirement highlights the continued competition among candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Throughout 2026, IRCC has largely focused its Express Entry invitations on candidates who already have a strong connection to Canada.
This includes:
The continued emphasis on Canadian work experience indicates that individuals who have studied, worked or gained professional experience in Canada may continue to have important opportunities through Express Entry.
With this latest round, IRCC has conducted 48 Express Entry selection rounds in 2026.
The largest share of invitations this year has been issued to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency categories.
According to the available Express Entry draw data, IRCC has issued invitations across multiple categories, including:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued in 2026 |
| French-language proficiency | 50,500 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 49,250 |
| Healthcare and social services | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 7,399 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 662 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
These figures demonstrate the wide range of candidates being selected through Canada’s Express Entry system.
The increase in the CRS cut-off score to 523 shows that competition remains strong, particularly among Canadian Experience Class candidates.
Applicants currently working in Canada or planning to apply through Express Entry should focus on improving their Comprehensive Ranking System score wherever possible. Candidates may be able to increase their CRS score through factors such as:
A provincial nomination can significantly improve an Express Entry candidate’s chances of receiving an invitation.
Canada’s Express Entry system continues to provide multiple pathways for skilled workers seeking permanent residence. However, CRS scores, invitation numbers and draw categories can change from one selection round to another.
Candidates should regularly monitor Express Entry updates and ensure that their profile accurately reflects their education, work experience, language scores and other relevant qualifications.
Oasis Visas can help eligible applicants understand their Canada immigration options, assess their Express Entry profile and explore suitable pathways towards Canadian permanent residence.
Stay connected with Oasis Visas for the latest Canada immigration news, Express Entry updates and guidance on your journey to Canada.
PR Visa: Canada | Canada Express Entry | Canada-PNP | Australia | UK | USA | Germany | Austria | Hong Kong
Work Visa: Canada | Australia | Singapore | Ireland | UAE | Luxembourg
Investor Visa: Europe Investment | Canada Investment | Australia Investment | Caribbean Investment | US Investment | UK Investment | New Zealand Investment | Hong Kong
Study Visa: Canada | Australia | UK | USA | Germany | Ireland | France | Europe
Visitor Visa: Canada | Australia | UK | USA | Germany | Ireland | Singapore | Europe | Hong Kong | South Africa
Eligibility Points Calculator: Canada | Australia | Germany | UK
