Last updated: October 9, 2026 Ā· Source: IRCC rounds of invitations
Most recent draw
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Draw number | #447 |
| Type | Trade Occupations (category-based) |
| Invitations issued | 3,500 |
| Minimum CRS score | 476 |
| Tie-breaking rule | May 28, 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC |
This was the largest trades draw ever ā 500 more invitations than April's round, with the cutoff dipping one point to 476. Note this is a category cutoff: the September 29 CEC draw the same week cut off at 518.
Recent 2026 draws
| Date | Type | ITAs | CRS cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Trade Occupations | 3,500 | 476 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 518 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 733 | 725 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Trade Occupations | 3,000 | 477 |
2026 year-to-date: 59 rounds, 135,215 ITAs issued (CEC 55,250 Ā· French proficiency 50,500 Ā· Healthcare 11,500 Ā· Trades 6,500).
What the trend tells you
- General/CEC rounds remain the hardest ā cutoffs in the 510sā520s.
- Category-based rounds (Trades, French, Healthcare) invite at much lower scores ā French-proficiency draws have been the biggest ITA source after CEC in 2026.
- PNP draws always cut off above 700 because nominees carry +600.
Is your score competitive?
Calculate your CRS score and compare it against the draw type you qualify for ā not just the headline number. Then read how to raise it.
Draw data is summarized from IRCC publications and reputable immigration news sources. For the official record, see IRCC's rounds of invitations page.
Frequently asked questions
What was the latest Express Entry draw cutoff?
The most recent tracked round (October 1, 2026, #447, Trade Occupations) had a CRS cutoff of 476 with 3,500 invitations issued.
Why are PNP draw cutoffs so high?
Provincial nominees receive +600 CRS points automatically, so PNP-only draws always cut off above 700. It doesn't reflect the general pool.
How often do Express Entry draws happen?
Usually every 1ā2 weeks, rotating between general, program-specific (CEC/PNP) and category-based rounds. This page is updated within 24 hours of each round.