Canada Express Entry Draw: 3,500 Healthcare Candidates Invited

Draw Details	Information
Draw Type	Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
Invitations Issued	3,500
CRS Cut-Off	475
Rank Required	3,500 or above
Date & Time	September 4, 2026 at 11:16:45 UTC
Tie-Breaking Rule	May 26, 2026 at 00:26:14 UTC

Date	ITAs Issued	CRS Cut-Off
February 20, 2026	4,000	467
June 25, 2026	4,000	475
September 4, 2026	3,500	475
Total	11,500	—

Date	Draw Type	ITAs	CRS
September 4	Healthcare and Social Services	3,500	475
September 3	Physicians with Canadian Work Experience	229	198
September 1	Canadian Experience Class	2,000	521

Canada has invited 229 physicians with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through the latest Express Entry draw. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the draw on September 3, 2026, issuing 229 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for the draw was 198. Latest Express Entry Draw: September 3, 2026 The latest round was Express Entry Round #440 and specifically targeted physicians with Canadian work experience. Draw Detail Information Date September 3, 2026 Round Number 440 Draw Type Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 Invitations Issued 229 CRS Cut-off 198 The latest physician draw had the lowest CRS cut-off among the three physician-specific draws held in 2026 so far. Three Physician-Specific Express Entry Draws in 2026 IRCC has conducted three Express Entry draws for physicians with Canadian work experience in 2026. The first physician-specific round took place on February 19, followed by another on June 24, and the latest round on September 3. Date ITAs Issued CRS Cut-off February 19, 2026 391 169 June 24, 2026 271 223 September 3, 2026 229 198 Total 891 — The September draw issued fewer invitations than the previous two physician rounds, but the CRS threshold dropped from 223 to 198 compared with the June draw. Overall, IRCC has issued 891 ITAs to physicians with Canadian work experience across the three physician-specific rounds in 2026. Express Entry Draws in 2026 The September 3 physician round is Round #440. The official 2026 dataset begins with Round #389 on January 5 and runs through Round #440 on September 3, representing 52 Express Entry invitation rounds during the period covered by the dataset.The latest rounds have included selections under the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, French-Language Proficiency, Healthcare and Social Services, Physicians with Canadian Work Experience and other targeted categories. Recent Express Entry Draws Date Round type Invitations issued CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited September 3, 2026 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 229 198 September 1, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 521 August 31, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 562 697 August 19, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,000 382 August 18, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 523 August 17, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 442 760 August 7, 2026 Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 300 470 August 6, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,000 391 August 5, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 516 August 4, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 507 768 July 23, 2026 Skilled Military Recruits, 2026-Version 1 4 368 July 22, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,000 399 July 21, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 516 July 20, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 511 744 July 10, 2026 Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 500 392 July 9, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,000 420 July 7, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 517 July 6, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 534 708 June 25, 2026 Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3 4,000 475 June 24, 2026 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 271 223 June 23, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 516 June 22, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 955 730 May 28, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 4,500 409 May 27, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 518 May 25, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 334 805 May 11, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 380 798 April 29, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 4,000 400 April 28, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 514 April 27, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 473 795 April 15, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 4,000 419 April 14, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 515 April 13, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 324 786 April 2, 2026 Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3 3,000 477 March 31, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,250 509 March 30, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 356 802 March 18, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 4,000 393 March 17, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 507 March 16, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 362 742 March 5, 2026 Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 250 429 March 4, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,500 397 March 3, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 508 March 2, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 264 710 February 20, 2026 Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3 4,000 467 February 19, 2026 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 391 169 February 17, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 6,000 508 February 16, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 279 789 February 6, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 8,500 400 February 3, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 423 749 January 21, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 6,000 509 January 20, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 681 746 January 7, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 8,000 511 January 5, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 574 711 The draw-level figures above are taken directly from the official 2026 dataset. 2026 Express Entry Draws by Category Across the 52 rounds listed in the official dataset, Express Entry selections were distributed among nine draw types. Draw Type Number of Draws ITAs Issued Provincial Nominee Program 17 7,961 Canadian Experience Class 15 51,250 French-Language Proficiency 10 50,500 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 3 891 Healthcare and Social Services Occupations 2 8,000 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 2 750 Trades Occupations 1 3,000 Transport Occupations 1 300 Skilled Military Recruits 1 4 Total 52 122,656 These totals are calculated from the 52 individual rounds in the official dataset, from Round #389 through Round #440. Canadian Experience Class Leads 2026 Invitations The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has accounted for the largest number of invitations in the 2026 dataset, with 51,250 ITAs across 15 draws. The French-Language Proficiency category follows with 50,500 ITAs across 10 draws. The remaining invitations have been distributed among the Provincial Nominee Program, Healthcare and Social Services, Trades, Physicians, Senior Managers, Transport and Skilled Military Recruits. Physicians Have Received 891 ITAs in 2026 The three physician-specific draws have collectively issued 891 ITAs. The February 19 draw was the largest physician round, with 391 invitations and a CRS cut-off of

What is this new Express Entry update? Canada has recently introduced a new Express Entry draw focused on candidates with high levels of French language ability. The draw is part of the country’s strategy to draw in skilled professionals who can contribute to bilingual communities outside of Quebec and help meet labour market needs across provinces. This round was not a general draw, but was specific to French-speaking candidates which opened up a better pathway to receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence even at relatively lower CRS scores. When was the last draw? How many candidates were invited? The latest Express Entry draw was focused on French language and took place on May 28, 2026. This round resulted in the issuance of 4,500 total Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for selection fell to 409, far below many of the general category draws this year. This change reflects Canada’s continued focus on category-based selection rather than simply high CRS rank. Snapshot of an Express Entry draw (French-language category) Detail Information Draw Number 418 Date of Round May 28, 2026 Category French-Language Proficiency (Version 2) Invitations Issued 4,500 Minimum CRS Score 409 Tie-breaking Rule April 29, 2026 at 22:20:00 UTC Why is the CRS score significant in this draw? The CRS cutoff of 409 is significant because it illustrates the major difference in the score cut-off between draws based on categories and general Express Entry draws. This system benefits candidates with a good knowledge of French language since, in some cases, language skills can be more important than other elements of the ranking such as age or professional experience. Among the most strategic avenues for immigration applicants who wish to obtain permanent residency in Canada is French language skills. How is 2026 shaping up for French-speaking Express Entry draws? Canada has been issuing invitations to apply through French-language category draws throughout 2026. The government has used a number of rounds to support francophone immigration targets and address regional labour shortages. Summary for French-Language Express Entry 2026 Draw Date Invitations Issued Minimum CRS Score May 28, 2026 4,500 409 April 29, 2026 4,000 400 April 15, 2026 4,000 419 March 18, 2026 4,000 392 March 04, 2026 5,500 397 February 06, 2026 8,500 400 Why are French-speaking candidates being preferred by Canada? Canada’s immigration policy emphasizes the importance of bilingualism. Welcoming more French-speaking immigrants is part of the country’s effort to bolster French-speaking communities outside Quebec and to maintain a linguistic balance between provinces. It also helps to fill labour shortages in key sectors and promotes cultural and linguistic diversity in Canada’s workforce. Who can apply under this category? Candidates applying through the French-language category must have a strong knowledge of French, generally at least NCLC Level 7 in all language abilities. They must also be eligible for one of the main Express Entry programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program. What does this mean for future applicants? The draw continues a clear trend: French language ability continues to be a major advantage in Express Entry selection. Candidates who have language requirements can be competitive even with modest CRS scores. For many applicants, improved French skills can greatly enhance the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply in future rounds.

Canada has reopened applications for candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), ending a four-week freeze that had many temporary workers and international graduates on the edge of their seats waiting for news. The newest draw brings hope to candidates already living and working in Canada under the Express Entry system. In the last few months there have been several invitation rounds for other immigration categories and many inland applicants are wondering when the CEC selections will come back. The federal government has once again underscored the importance of Canadian work experience in the country’s immigration strategy with 3,000 invitations issued in the latest round. What happened in the last round of CEC selection? On May 27, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new draw for the Canadian Experience Class. 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to qualified candidates in the Express Entry pool. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in this round was 518. Where candidates had the same CRS score they were ranked using the tie-breaking rule based on when their Express Entry profile was submitted (date and time). Date of Round Type of Draw Number of ITAs Issued CRS Score May 27, 2026 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 3,000 518 The tiebreaker for this round was scheduled on 2026-04-30 at 03:16:01 UTC. Why This Round Is Important for Inland Applicants CEC invitations matter, because this category is mostly aimed at people who already have Canadian work experience. Many of these applicants are temporary foreign workers or international graduates who have adapted to the Canadian labour market and are already contributing economically. For many candidates inside Canada, CEC-based invitations are considered one of the fastest routes to permanent residency. The latest round of draws may also signal IRCC’s intent to continue balancing category-based draws with broader economic immigration priorities in the months ahead. The increase in invites over the last round has also led to renewed confidence among applicants as they have been monitoring CRS score trends closely. What Changed in CEC Scores During 2026? The Canadian Experience Class category has been active in all rounds held in 2026. The number of invitations and CRS cut-offs have varied from round-to-round. So far this year, here’s how CEC invitations have gone: Draw Date Invitations Issued Minimum CRS Score May 27, 2026 3,000 518 April 28, 2026 2,000 514 April 14, 2026 2,000 515 March 31, 2026 2,250 509 March 17, 2026 4,000 507 March 03, 2026 4,000 508 February 17, 2026 6,000 508 January 21, 2026 6,000 509 January 07, 2026 8,000 511 So far in 2026, Canada has invited 37,250 candidates through Canadian Experience Class invitations rounds. Canadian Experience Class Program – What Is It? The Canadian Experience Class is one of the main immigration pathways that Canada administers under its Express Entry program. It is designed for skilled workers and graduates who are already working in Canada and want to make the move to permanent residence. Unlike other immigration programs, the CEC targets applicants who have already established themselves in the Canadian society and have experience in the local labor market. This makes the pathway particularly appealing for those already working in Canada on temporary work permits. Usually, an applicant must have at least one year of eligible skilled work experience in Canada gained through authorized employment in order to be eligible. Language requirements in either English or French depending on the occupation and immigration criteria must also be met by candidates. Another benefit is that applicants already in Canada typically do not have to prove they have settlement funds, making the process more accessible for inland candidates. More CEC coming soon? Although IRCC has yet to formally release upcoming draw schedules, the latest round indicates Canadian Experience Class selections continue to be part of Canada’s immigration planning for 2026. Those with competitive CRS scores and recent Canadian work experience may continue to benefit from similar invitation rounds held regularly throughout the year. With immigration targets still high, many applicants will be closely watching upcoming rounds for more score movement and invitation trends.

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