Canada’s immigration system continues to prioritize candidates with domestic work experience, as the latest Express Entry round held toward the end of April 2026 issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The draw reflects an ongoing trend by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to focus on applicants already integrated into the Canadian labour market. Express Entry Next Draw Prediction April 29, 2026
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Key Highlights of the Latest Draw
In this most recent selection round, candidates were required to meet a relatively competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) threshold, alongside a specific profile submission timeline. The eligibility criteria for this draw included:
- A minimum CRS score of 514
- An Express Entry profile submitted before 2:18 p.m. UTC on September 24, 2025
This draw represents another targeted effort by IRCC to invite candidates who already possess Canadian work experience, a factor that continues to play a decisive role in selection patterns throughout 2026.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
So far this year, Express Entry rounds have demonstrated a clear preference for candidates already residing in Canada or those aligned with provincial labour demands. The Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams have dominated invitations, complemented by category-based draws such as French-language proficiency and occupation-specific selections.
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Complete List of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French-Language proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Growing Emphasis on In-Canada Candidates
The April 28 draw marks the ninth CEC-specific selection round this year, highlighting how frequently IRCC is relying on this category to meet immigration targets. At the same time, it represents the 24th Express Entry draw conducted in 2026, illustrating the high frequency of invitations being issued.
A noticeable pattern throughout the year is the department’s focus on:
- Candidates with Canadian work experience
- Applicants holding provincial nominations
- Individuals meeting specific economic or linguistic criteria
This approach aligns with Canada’s broader strategy to retain talent already contributing to its economy, thereby improving long-term settlement outcomes.
Distribution of Draw Types in 2026
The number of draws conducted under each category further illustrates IRCC’s priorities:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 8 |
| French-Language proficiency | 4 |
| Physicians with Canadian experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian experience | 1 |
| Trades | 1 |
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Total ITAs Issued So Far in 2026
Canada has already extended a significant number of invitations across multiple categories, reflecting an aggressive immigration intake strategy for the year.
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 22,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 3,736 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian experience | 250 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The continued dominance of CEC and PNP draws signals that candidates already in Canada or those with strong ties to the labour market are currently in a more favourable position. While CRS scores remain competitive, consistent draw frequency provides ongoing opportunities for eligible applicants.
As Canada progresses through 2026, the immigration landscape is expected to remain focused on targeted selections, ensuring that newcomers are aligned with both regional and national economic priorities.
