Express Entry in 2026: Year-to-Date Numbers, New Categories & Immigration Targets

Admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:36:15 +0000

Canada conducted its first Express Entry draw of the year today, the first since November 23. Candidates were selected from the pool of Express Entry candidates: those who are invited to apply for permanent residence under one or more immigration programs. Programs that considered eligible candidates included the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program—all three such categories operate within Express Entry.

This draws significant most significant all-program Express Entry draw since they resumed last July, and mars an increase in the number of ITAs issued. The November 23 draw added 750 to the 4,750 candidates invited from the September 28 draw. The CRS scores (which measure visa demand) at this latest round are higher than they’ve been since September 28.

Express Entry Draw in 2022

Last year, 46,538 Express Entry candidates were issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the 23 draws. This number includes draws from January to July for candidates in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). There were no Express Entry draws between December 2020 and June 2022 due to increased applications resulting from changes in visa processing procedures.

From September 1 to December 31, 2019, IRCC will not issue any new ITAs for the CEC. From January 1 through August 31, 2020, and from October 1 through December 31, 2020, only candidates who have received an invitation in a draw conducted between November 19, 2018, and July 12, 2019, may apply (homebuyers whose FRA expires on June 30, 2021, are excluded).

For just the all-program draws that have taken place this year, 35,750 invitations to apply for permanent residence were distributed. The last Express Entry draw saw the lowest minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score at 491—the highest was 637 and more than doubled from 399 in January.

New 2023-2025 Immigration Targets

Immigration has become critical in addressing severe labour market shortages, as the need has left many employers struggling to find qualified employees. The 2023-2025 plan acknowledges immigration as a means of helping businesses find workers and attracting the skills required to fill critical sectors, such as health care, skilled trades, manufacturing and technology. This will allow Canada to manage the social and economic challenges it will face in the coming decades.

Over the next three years, Canada’s Immigration plan calls for more immigrants than have traditionally been accepted. Canada plans to welcome 465,000 new immigrants in 2023 and 485,000 the following year. Canada will also receive an estimated 500,000 new immigrants in 2025. Express Entry will be crucial to help reach these targets and ensure a wide distribution of newcomers across the country.

The new plan will also increase regional programs to address targeted local labour market needs by expanding the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. In 2022, Express Entry held 23 draws and issued 46,538 ITAs. This includes the first half of the year, during which only PNP all-program draws were closed; however, general (non-PNP) programs also started accepting applications later in this period.

The 2023 Express Entry is your chance to live in Canada.

Canada is a great country to live in. Immigrants are welcome in Canada, and we have a diverse population of cultures, languages and religions. We are safe for everyone to travel worldwide, regardless of background or origin. Our economy has grown tremendously over the years thanks to our strong manufacturing base plus a sound education system that allows Canadians from all walks of life access to higher education opportunities which helps them earn more money later down the road when they start working full-time jobs outside their families also has an excellent healthcare system available for everyone who needs it regardless if they’re retired or disabled due to illness or injury sustained during the childhood development period which often happens during the infancy stage before birth occurs (I’m talking about those babies born prematurely).

What is Express Entry, and How Can I Apply?

Express Entry is a system the Canadian government uses to manage applications for Canadian permanent residency. Express Entry uses a point-based system, the CRS, to rank candidates’ profiles. The system works three main programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW);
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST); and
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Applying to Express Entry is a two-step procedure. The first step is to submit your profile with the required documents. Required documents usually include language test results, educational credentials and passport or travel documentation.

After you submit a profile and receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you can submit your complete application for the IRCC to review. Your complete application should include supporting documents such as reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and medical examination results.

Conclusion

If you have been waiting to apply, now is your chance. Canada wants you, and they are making it easy to get here by increasing the number of visas available every year. Along with this increase in permits, there will be more options for people from all over the world who want a new life in Canada.