Canada has conducted a new Express Entry selection round specifically for skilled military recruits, marking the first time this category has been used since it was introduced earlier in 2026.
In the July 23 selection round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited just four candidates to submit applications for permanent residence. The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 368.
The latest selection is notable not only because it represents the first draw under the skilled military recruits category, but also because it produced the smallest number of invitations issued in any Express Entry round so far.
Also Read Express Entry Draw for Skilled Military Recruits
Key Details of Canada’s July 23 Express Entry Draw
The latest draw was designed for eligible candidates with a military background who met the requirements of the newly established category.
Candidates invited in this round needed to meet the following conditions:
- Have a minimum CRS score of 368.
- Have submitted their Express Entry profile before 8:11 p.m. UTC on June 2, 2026.
- Meet the eligibility requirements associated with the Skilled Military Recruits category.
The tie-breaking rule was applied based on the date and time candidates entered the Express Entry pool. Applicants who created their profiles before the specified cut-off were prioritized when candidates had the same CRS score.
Draw Summary: July 23, 2026
- Draw category: Skilled Military Recruits
- Date of draw: July 23, 2026
- Invitations issued: 4
- Minimum CRS score: 368
- Tie-breaking profile deadline: June 2, 2026, at 8:11 p.m. UTC
- Purpose: Invitation of eligible skilled military recruits for permanent residence
First Selection Under the Skilled Military Recruits Category
The latest round represents a significant development in Canada’s evolving Express Entry strategy.
IRCC introduced the skilled military recruits category in February 2026, but this was the first time candidates were actually selected through a dedicated draw under the category.
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The Lowest Express Entry Draw Size Recorded in 2026
The four invitations issued in the latest round represent the smallest Express Entry draw in the available 2026 selection history.
This is a sharp contrast to some of the larger category-based rounds conducted earlier in the year. For example, French-language proficiency selections have invited thousands of candidates at a time, while Canadian Experience Class rounds have also issued large numbers of invitations.
The smaller size of the skilled military recruits draw suggests that IRCC was targeting a very specific and limited pool of eligible candidates rather than conducting a broad selection.
Despite the low number of ITAs, the CRS cut-off of 368 was considerably lower than the scores seen in recent Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program draws.
Express Entry Draws in 2026: Recent Selection History
The following table provides a broader look at Canada’s Express Entry invitation rounds conducted throughout 2026:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French-Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French-Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French-Language Proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| 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 Work 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 Work 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 |
42 Express Entry Draws Held So Far in 2026
With the July 23 selection, IRCC has now completed 42 Express Entry draw rounds during 2026.
The distribution of these draws shows that Canada’s selection strategy has heavily favoured candidates connected to the Canadian labour market, provincial nomination programs and priority language or occupational categories.
Number of Express Entry Draws by Category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 12 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
The Provincial Nominee Program has accounted for the highest number of selection rounds, followed by the Canadian Experience Class.
French-language proficiency has also remained a major focus, with eight dedicated draws conducted so far this year.
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More Than 104,000 ITAs Issued in 2026
Across all Express Entry categories, IRCC has issued a total of 104,616 invitations to apply for permanent residence during 2026, based on the draw data available through July 23.
The figures show that a substantial share of invitations has gone to candidates with Canadian work experience and those who demonstrate French-language proficiency.
ITAs Issued by Express Entry Draw Category in 2026
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 45,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 40,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,450 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
The Canadian Experience Class leads the year in invitation volume, followed closely by French-language proficiency selections.
Together, these two categories account for the overwhelming majority of invitations issued through the Express Entry system in the reported 2026 draw data.
What Could Happen in Upcoming Express Entry Draws?
The latest selection makes it clear that Canada’s Express Entry draw schedule can shift between different candidate groups based on immigration priorities.
While the skilled military recruits category has now been used for the first time, it remains uncertain how frequently IRCC will conduct additional selections for this group or how many candidates may be invited in future rounds.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool should therefore continue monitoring IRCC announcements and ensure that their profiles remain accurate and up to date.
Applicants should also consider whether they may qualify for one or more category-based selection pathways. Improving language results, gaining additional skilled work experience, pursuing a provincial nomination or maintaining a valid Express Entry profile may all influence a candidate’s future immigration prospects.
Canada’s Express Entry Strategy Continues to Evolve
The July 23 draw marks a new chapter in Canada’s 2026 Express Entry program with the first-ever selection of skilled military recruits under the dedicated category.
Although only four candidates received invitations, the draw is significant because it demonstrates IRCC’s willingness to expand targeted immigration selection to increasingly specialized groups.
With 42 selection rounds already completed and more than 104,000 ITAs issued this year, Express Entry continues to be a central route for skilled immigrants seeking Canadian permanent residence.
The latest results also show that Canada’s immigration strategy in 2026 remains focused on a combination of Canadian work experience, provincial nominations, French-language ability and occupations aligned with national workforce priorities. For candidates planning to immigrate to Canada, understanding these evolving categories could be just as important as maximizing their CRS score.
