Updated 7 hours ago
Find here our 2026 draw predictions and learn what affects draw timing and minimum CRS scores. Updated July 20, 2026.
Express Entry Next Draw Prediction
- Predicted Next Draw date: July 21, 2026
- Type of Next Draw: Canadian Experience Class Draw
- CRS Prediction: 514+
- Learn more about the latest Express Entry draw here
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Next Express Entry Draw Prediction
When can I expect the next CRS draw?
With the recent volatility in Express Entry draws and some draws being skipped, predicting the exact schedule for 2026 has become challenging. But here are Moving2Canada’s predictions for upcoming draws per category:
Next Expected Canadian Experience Class Draw
- July 21, 2026: CEC Draw
- August 4, 2026: CEC Draw
Next Expected Category-Based Draw
- July 22, 2026: Category-based Draw
- August 5, 2026: Category-based Draw
We expect at least 2 French-Language Proficiency draws in July, 2026.
Next Expected Provincial Nominee Program Draw
- August 3, 2026: PNP Draw
- August 17, 2026: PNP Draw
We explored the possibility of having fewer draws in our recent article discussing why Express Entry draws could decrease for the remainder of 2026.
Express Entry Categories for 2026
These are the selected categories for this year. Click on each category to get more information:
- French-language proficiency: For applicants with a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
- Healthcare and social services occupations: For physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists and other practitioners, as well as veterinarians and social workers.
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations: For carpenters, plumbers, contractors, and others
- Education occupations: For teachers, early childhood educators, special needs instructors, and others
- Transport occupations: For truck mechanics, aircraft mechanics, railway traffic controllers, and others
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: General practitioners, family physicians and some specialists who are already working in Canada.
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience: For senior executives working in key leadership roles in Canada who have gained at least one year of Canadian work experience within the last three years.
- Researchers with Canadian work experience: Academic professionals already working in Canada, including post-secondary teaching and research assistants, university professors, and lecturers.
- Skilled military recruits: For individuals with military training and experience who can contribute to Canada’s defence sector.
What Do We Expect From Express Entry Draws in 2026?
Provincial Nominee Program Draws:
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan significantly increases Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets, raising planned admissions from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026. Targets are then set to rise slightly again, to 92,500 in both 2027 and 2028. This sharp increase could lead to more Express Entry invitations through PNP-aligned draws in 2026, but only if provinces make greater use of their Express Entry-aligned streams rather than relying primarily on non-Express Entry PNP draws.
However, there has not yet been a huge increase in the number of invitations in PNP draws. By the third week of July 2025, approximately 6,050 invitations were issued through PNP Express Entry draws, compared to 6,450 invitations issued in the same period this year. This shows that the increase in PNP targets has not yet led to a higher volume of invitations, considering that the first semester of 2026 is already over.
One possible reason is the existing processing backlog. In May 2026, more than 124,200 applications under provincial nominee programs were waiting to be processed, which may be affecting how quickly increased PNP admissions targets are reflected in new invitations. Also, there was no PNP draw in the week of June 8, 2026.
That said, PNP Express Entry draws are still likely to continue regularly, potentially every couple of weeks. Provincial nominations are time-limited, so provinces and IRCC cannot leave nominated candidates sitting in the Express Entry pool indefinitely without risking those nominations expiring.
Canadian Experience Class Draws
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan no longer includes the same explicit emphasis on prioritizing in-Canada applicants. However, the government has still made it clear that it wants to focus on transitioning more temporary residents to permanent resident status. This suggests that Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws will continue to play an important role in 2026.
IRCC has been extremely active when it comes to CEC draws. As of July 20, 2026, around 41,250 invitations have been issued. However, this pace has already started to slow, which was expected following the unusually large CEC draws held earlier in the year. You can learn more about this trend in our analysis of large CEC draws in 2026.
Although the number of ITAs issued per CEC draw will likely be smaller than the draws seen between January and March 2026, we still expect CEC draws to occur at least once a month to ensure high-scoring applicants are routinely selected from the pool.
Category-Based Draws:
Although several new Express Entry categories were introduced in 2026, category-based draws have remained relatively limited so far. As of July 20, 2026, only 14 of the 39 Express Entry draws held this year have been category-based.
While the overall number of category-based draws is low compared to the 2026 total draws, nearly 49% of invitations fall under these draws. Of the approximately 97,612 total invitations issued for Express Entry, about 47,912 were from category-based draws.
French-language proficiency continues to dominate category-based selection draws, accounting for 7 of those 14 draws and 35,500 invitations issued. This reflects IRCC’s ongoing emphasis on increasing the number of French-speaking candidates selected from the Express Entry pool.
General/ All Program Draws:
We do not expect to see any General/All Program draws in 2026.
Get Ready for the Next EE Draw: Prepare for Your ITA
While waiting in the pool, make sure you are prepared for receiving your Invitation to Apply (ITA). Check these two articles:
- What to expect and how long you could wait in the pool
- How to be prepared in case you receive an ITA, which includes a full list of necessary documents.
Don’t wait to receive an ITA to start preparing your documents; these steps could take a lot of time, and you may run out of time!
How Does Moving2Canada Predict the Next EE Draw
Predicting Express Entry draws is never exact, but at Moving2Canada, we use the best available data to make informed, reliable estimates. Our team monitors the system closely so newcomers can better understand what may be coming next.
How we do it:
- Track historical CRS scores, candidate pool changes, and all IRCC announcements in real time.
- Analyze historical draw patterns to understand IRCC’s usual scheduling habits.
- Review newly released immigration data and policy updates to spot emerging trends.
- Use category-based draw plans disclosed through an ATIP request
- Combine all data sources to anticipate likely draw types—especially PNP, CEC, and French-proficiency draws based on IRCC’s stated priorities.
We offer the most accurate Express Entry insights possible. Do you want to receive the latest EE Draw info and predictions in your email? Subscribe here!.
What Factors Influence The Next Express Entry Draw Date for 2026?
The schedule of Express Entry draws is influenced by a range of factors. Understanding these can help you guess when the next draw might happen.
Government Policies and Immigration Targets
The Canadian government’s immigration policies and annual targets play a significant role in determining the frequency, size, and type of Express Entry draws.
Economic Needs and Labour Market Demands
Canada’s economic needs and labor market demands are also critical factors. The government may adjust the draw schedule based on the current economic climate and the demand for specific skills in the labor market.
Historical Trends and Administrative Considerations
Looking at historical trends can provide insights into the timing of draws. Typically, draws are held approximately every two weeks. However, this can vary due to administrative considerations, such as processing backlogs or policy changes. Monitoring the patterns over the past months or years can help predict future draws, though these are always subject to change.
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