Canada Conducts First Express Entry Draw of 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its first Express Entry draw of 2026, issuing new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. In this round, IRCC invited 574 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream.

To be eligible for this draw, candidates were required to meet the following criteria:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711, and
• An active Express Entry profile created before 1:54 a.m. (UTC) on October 6, 2025.

Express Entry Draw Result – 5 January 2026

Click here to see the complete list of Express Entry draws until date

This draw marks the first Express Entry selection of the year, offering early insight into how Canada’s immigration system may unfold in 2026.

IRCC has already indicated, through its Immigration Levels Plan, that it will continue prioritizing in-Canada applicants for permanent residence. The department has also confirmed that category-based Express Entry draws will remain a key part of its selection strategy. However, the exact frequency and structure of future draws are still evolving.

Based on previous IRCC announcements, an increase in French-language category-based draws is expected, reflecting Canada’s growing targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec. In addition, selections are anticipated to begin for IRCC’s newly introduced “Physicians with Canadian work experience” category. In 2025, IRCC issued total 1,13,998 ITAs (Invitations to apply) for Canada PR in overall 58 Express Entry draws conducted in the year.

So far, IRCC has issued 574 Express Entry ITAs in 2026, all through this initial PNP-focused draw.

Also read-

South Australia Issues Skilled Migration Invitations – December 2025

CRS Cut-off Drops to 399 in New Express Entry Draw for French-Speakers

Express Entry Targets French Speakers with 6,000 Invitations at Highly Competitive CRS 408

Latest Express Entry Draw Targets Canadian Experience Class- 1,000 ITAs Issued

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