2026 Express Entry System Overview

Understand Canada’s skilled immigration pathway and its 2026 priorities

ℹ️ 2026 Focus: Express Entry emphasizes French proficiency, in-Canada experience, and labor market needs, with reduced quotas to balance economic growth and infrastructure capacity.
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Reduced Quotas

Canada plans to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2026, with ~123,320 spots for Express Entry programs, a slight decrease from 2025’s 395,000 target.

  • Federal Skilled Worker: ~30,000 spots
  • Canadian Experience Class: ~82,980 spots
  • Federal Skilled Trades: ~5,000 spots
  • PNP (EE-aligned): ~55,000 spots
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French Proficiency Boost

IRCC prioritizes French-speaking candidates with NCLC 7+ proficiency, targeting 9.5% Francophone admissions outside Quebec in 2026.

  • Lowest CRS cut-offs (~379–450)
  • 37.4% of 2025 ITAs
  • Largest draws (up to 7,500 ITAs)
  • Support for Francophone communities
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Category-Based Selection

No all-program draws in 2025; 2026 will focus on targeted categories like healthcare, trades, and education to address labor shortages.

  • Healthcare: ~15,000 ITAs in 2025
  • Trades: ~3,300 ITAs allocated
  • Education/Social Services: ~5,000 ITAs
  • New categories proposed for 2026

2026 Immigration Quotas Analysis

Breaking down Canada’s 2026 Express Entry allocation

⚠️ Tighter Quotas: The 2026 target of 380,000 permanent residents reflects a 3.8% reduction from 2025, with Express Entry quotas at ~123,320 spots.

The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan prioritizes in-Canada applicants and economic streams. Key allocations include:

  • Federal Economic Priorities (Category-Based Draws): ~41,700 spots, focusing on French proficiency, healthcare, trades, and education.
  • In-Canada Focus (CEC): ~82,980 spots, prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience to address labor shortages.
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Reduced to 55,000 spots (down from 110,000 in 2024), impacting candidates relying on provincial nominations.

2025–2026 Express Entry Draw Trends

Analyze CRS score patterns and predictions for 2026

2025–2026 Express Entry CRS Score Trends

ℹ️ Rising Scores: 2025 saw CRS cut-offs of 379–446 for French proficiency, 518–547 for CEC, and 667–802 for PNP. Expect similar or higher thresholds in 2026.
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2025 Draw Highlights

Key patterns from 2025 draws inform 2026 expectations.

  • 56,000+ ITAs across 32 draws
  • French proficiency: Lowest CRS (379)
  • CEC: 518–547 CRS range
  • PNP: 667–802 CRS range
  • No all-program draws
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2026 Predictions

Projected trends for 2026 based on 2025 data.

  • French proficiency: ~400–450 CRS
  • CEC: ~520–550 CRS
  • PNP: ~700–800 CRS
  • ~8,000 ITAs in September 2026
  • New categories for managers, scientists

Category-Based Invitations

Priority streams driving 2026 Express Entry selections

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French Proficiency

Requires NCLC 7+ in all language abilities, with 37.4% of 2025 ITAs.

  • CRS cut-offs: 379–446
  • Largest draw: 7,500 ITAs (Mar 2025)
  • 9.5% Francophone target
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Healthcare & Education

Targets doctors, nurses, teachers, and social workers.

  • CRS cut-offs: 470–510
  • ~15,000 ITAs in 2025
  • High demand in rural areas
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Trades

Includes bricklayers, roofers, and other skilled trades.

  • ~3,300 ITAs allocated
  • CRS cut-offs: ~450–500
  • Focus on infrastructure

New and Priority Occupations

Emerging roles with extra points and expedited processing

✅ New Additions: Bricklayers, roofers, senior managers, and scientists join the 2026 priority list, reflecting Canada’s evolving labor needs.
  • Healthcare: Family physicians, nurse practitioners
  • Trades: Bricklayers, roofers, carpenters
  • Education: Teachers, especially in rural areas
  • Technology: AI specialists, data scientists
  • Proposed: Senior managers, military personnel

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common Express Entry questions for 2026

What is the immigration quota for Express Entry in 2026? +
Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan sets the 2026 PR target at 380,000, with approximately 123,320 spots for Express Entry programs, including FSWP, FSTP, CEC, and PNP-aligned streams.
What are the CRS score trends for 2026 Express Entry draws? +
In 2025, CRS scores ranged from 379–446 for French proficiency, 518–547 for CEC, and 667–802 for PNP. In 2026, expect French proficiency draws at ~400–450, CEC at ~520–550, and PNP at ~700–800, with no all-program draws.
Which categories are prioritized in 2026 Express Entry draws? +
Priority categories include French-language proficiency (NCLC 7), healthcare, social services, education, and trades. New categories like senior managers and scientists may be introduced in 2026.
What new occupations are added to Express Entry in 2026? +
New priority occupations include bricklayers, roofers, and potentially senior managers, scientists, and military personnel, reflecting Canada’s labor market needs in construction, technology, and leadership roles.
How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score? +
Boost your CRS score by improving French proficiency (NCLC 7+), gaining Canadian work experience, securing a PNP nomination, obtaining a valid job offer, or completing Canadian education. Spousal points can also help.