Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just conducted the first Express Entry draw of 2026, signaling how Canada’s skilled-immigration system will kick off the new year. CIC News
đź“Ť Key Results from the January 5 Draw
- Invitations Issued: 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued. CIC News
- Program Focus: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates only. CIC News
- Minimum CRS Score: 711 — a high cut-off, reflecting Canada’s targeted approach to skilled immigration. CIC News
- Tie-Breaker Date: Candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before October 6, 2025 at 1:54 a.m. (UTC) to be considered. CIC News
This was the first selection round of 2026 and set the tone for how IRCC might prioritize invitations this year. CIC News
đź“Š What This Draw Means
This first draw of the year focused exclusively on Provincial Nominee Program candidates, who receive an automatic 600 extra CRS points from their provincial nomination — meaning only those with very high total scores (711 or above) were invited. CIC News
That high cut-off shows how competitive the system remains, especially in the early months of 2026.
đź“Ś How Express Entry Draws Work (Quick Primer)
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for managing economic immigration. It includes three immigration classes: Canada
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
Candidates create profiles and get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which ranks them based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability. Canada
Periodically, IRCC conducts draws where it invites top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. Some rounds target specific programs or categories like PNP or skill sectors. Canada
đź’ˇ What to Watch in 2026
While this early draw focused on PNP profiles, Ottawa has also signalled that category-based selection rounds (e.g., French language proficiency, specific occupations like physicians) will continue through 2026 — potentially offering different entry opportunities beyond PNP draws. Canada+1
IRCC’s broader immigration strategy for 2026 is expected to be targeted and responsive to labour-market needs, following patterns seen in late 2025. Moving2Canada
đź“Ś Summary
The first Express Entry draw of 2026 issued 574 ITAs to high-scoring Provincial Nominee Program candidates, with a CRS cut-off of 711. As the year unfolds, more selection rounds—possibly including category-based invitations—are likely to follow, reflecting Canada’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled workers.
