How Does Moving2Canada Predict The Next Express Entry Draw?

It’s not possible to know exactly when the next Express Entry draw will happen. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has complete discretion regarding Express Entry draws. They could, in theory, complete just one draw every year or complete tiny draws every day. However, IRCC tends to try to complete draws on a regular schedule. It does this to increase confidence in the Express Entry system, and to allow them to manage application volumes internally. So, generally speaking, there is a strain on internal resources any time that the draw schedule moves away from the bi-weekly schedule. As a result, IRCC will likely conduct a draw every two weeks. However, in May and June, IRCC has skipped some expected draws. Some slowdown in draws is normal during the second and third quarters. We expect IRCC to return to its normal cadence soon.

Express Entry Next Draw Prediction for July-August, 2026

Q: When is the next Express Entry draw?

Predicted Next Draw date: August 3, 2026 Type of Next Draw: PNP Draw Lowest CRS Prediction: 730+

By Rebecca Major

Updated 6 days ago

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Find here our Express Entry next draw predictions and learn what affects draw timing and minimum CRS scores. Updated July 22, 2026.

Express Entry Next Draw Prediction

Predicted Next Draw date: August 3, 2026
Type of Next Draw: PNP Draw
Lowest CRS Prediction: 730+
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 recent volatility in Express Entry draws, including some being skipped, predicting the exact schedule for 2026 has become challenging. But here are Moving2Canada’s predictions for upcoming draws per category:

Next Expected Provincial Nominee Program Draw

August 3, 2026: PNP Draw
August 17, 2026: PNP Draw

Next Expected Canadian Experience Class Draw

August 4, 2026: CEC Draw
August 18, 2026: CEC Draw

Next Expected Category-Based Draw

August 5, 2026: Category-based Draw
August 19, 2026: Category-based Draw

We expect at least 2 French-Language Proficiency draws in August, 2026.

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 for the rest of 2026?

Provincial Nominee Program Draws:

According to Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets were raised from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026. So we expected more Express Entry invitations through PNP-aligned draws in 2026. 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.
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 22, 2026, around 45,250 invitations have been issued for this category. 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 22, 2026, only 15 of the 41 Express Entry draws held this year have been category-based.
While category-based draws account for only 37% of the total draws issued, they represent approximately 51% of all invitations issued (52,912 invitations in category-based draws) out of a total of around 104,612 Express Entry invitations in 2026.
French-language proficiency continues to dominate category-based selection draws, accounting for 8 of those 15 draws and 40,500 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!

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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.

Express Entry Resources

Moving2Canada partners with trusted organizations to help you succeed with Express Entry—whether it's improving language skills, finding a job, or getting your application reviewed by a trusted professional.

About the author

Rebecca Major

She/Her

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant

Rebecca Major is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (R511564) with over 15 years of Canadian Immigration experience, gained after graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in the UK. She specializes in Canadian immigration at Moving2Canada.