Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw under the Skilled Military Recruits category on July 23, 2026, issuing only four Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 368 and an Express Entry profile created before 8:11 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time on June 2, 2026.
This selection marks the first use of the category since its introduction in February 2026. It also recorded the lowest number of invitations ever issued in a single Express Entry round. The pathway targets experienced foreign military personnel who can support Canadian Armed Forces recruitment. Eligible candidates must hold a valid job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces for at least three years of continuous full-time work in one of three occupations: commissioned officers, specialized members, or operations members. They also need a minimum of 10 years of continuous service in a recognized foreign military, relevant work experience matching the occupation duties, and at least a two-year post-secondary credential.
As of this draw, IRCC has completed 42 Express Entry selection rounds in 2026 and issued a total of 104,616 invitations. Activity throughout the year has focused heavily on candidates with Canadian work experience and those holding provincial nominations.
Below is a complete line-by-line record of every Express Entry draw listed for 2026 up to the July 23 round:
July 23 – Skilled Military Recruits – CRS cutoff 368 – 4 invitations issued
July 22 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 399 – 5,000 invitations issued
July 21 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 516 – 2,000 invitations issued
July 20 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 744 – 511 invitations issued
July 10 – Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience – CRS cutoff 392 – 500 invitations issued
July 9 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 420 – 5,000 invitations issued
July 7 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 517 – 2,000 invitations issued
July 6 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 708 – 534 invitations issued
June 25 – Healthcare and social services – CRS cutoff 475 – 4,000 invitations issued
June 24 – Physicians with Canadian Work Experience – CRS cutoff 223 – 271 invitations issued
June 23 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 516 – 4,000 invitations issued
June 22 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 730 – 955 invitations issued
May 28 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 409 – 4,500 invitations issued
May 27 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 518 – 3,000 invitations issued
May 25 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 805 – 334 invitations issued
May 11 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 798 – 380 invitations issued
April 29 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 400 – 4,000 invitations issued
April 28 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 514 – 2,000 invitations issued
April 27 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 795 – 473 invitations issued
April 15 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 419 – 4,000 invitations issued
April 14 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 515 – 2,000 invitations issued
April 13 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 786 – 324 invitations issued
April 2 – Trades – CRS cutoff 477 – 3,000 invitations issued
March 31 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 509 – 2,250 invitations issued
March 30 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 802 – 356 invitations issued
March 18 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 393 – 4,000 invitations issued
March 17 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 507 – 4,000 invitations issued
March 16 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 742 – 362 invitations issued
March 5 – Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience – CRS cutoff 429 – 250 invitations issued
March 4 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 397 – 5,500 invitations issued
March 3 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 508 – 4,000 invitations issued
March 2 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 710 – 264 invitations issued
February 20 – Healthcare and social services – CRS cutoff 467 – 4,000 invitations issued
February 19 – Physicians with Canadian Work Experience – CRS cutoff 169 – 391 invitations issued
February 17 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 508 – 6,000 invitations issued
February 16 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 789 – 279 invitations issued
February 6 – French-Language proficiency – CRS cutoff 400 – 8,500 invitations issued
February 3 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 749 – 423 invitations issued
January 21 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 509 – 6,000 invitations issued
January 20 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 746 – 681 invitations issued
January 7 – Canadian Experience Class – CRS cutoff 511 – 8,000 invitations issued
January 5 – Provincial Nominee Program – CRS cutoff 711 – 574 invitations issued
By draw type, the 42 rounds break down as follows: Provincial Nominee Program (14 draws), 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), and Skilled Military Recruits (1).
Total invitations issued by category stand at: Canadian Experience Class 45,250; French-Language proficiency 40,500; Healthcare and social services 8,000; Provincial Nominee Program 6,450; Trades 3,000; Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 750; Physicians with Canadian work experience 662; and Skilled Military Recruits 4.
The July 23 draw highlights IRCC’s use of targeted category-based selection to address specific national priorities, even when the eligible candidate pool is small. Recipients of the four invitations have 60 days to submit complete permanent residence applications.
