Express Entry: zero "all-programme" draws all year; category-based selection becomes the main route
Canada · Residency planning · 2026 (new categories added 02-18)
| Country / region | Canada |
|---|---|
| Category | Residency planning |
| Date | 2026 (new categories added 02-18) |
| What happened | No All-Programme draw has been held so far in 2026 — all invitations come from CEC, PNP and category-based selection. On 02-18 four new categories were added: researchers and senior managers, air transport, military recruitment, and doctors practising in Canada. French-language category cut-offs ran as low as 391–419, with single draws of up to 5,000 invitations. The 2026 PR target is 380,000, with the temporary-resident share targeted to fall below 5% by end-2027. |
| Impact on applicants | Applicants offshore without a provincial nomination or category advantage face markedly higher difficulty; French ability is a high-value lever, and those already studying or working in Canada benefit relatively. |
| Source: {src} | IRCC / industry-compiled statistics ↗ Note on scope: Cut-offs and draw sizes are industry-compiled statistics |
Source: IRCC / industry-compiled statistics ↗ · Last verified: 2026-09-20 · For reference only; not application or legal advice. Always check the official source for current rules.
FAQ
Express Entry: zero "all-programme" draws all year; category-based selection becomes the main route — what happened?
No All-Programme draw has been held so far in 2026 — all invitations come from CEC, PNP and category-based selection. On 02-18 four new categories were added: researchers and senior managers, air transport, military recruitment, and doctors practising in Canada. French-language category cut-offs ran as low as 391–419, with single draws of up to 5,000 invitations. The 2026 PR target is 380,000, with the temporary-resident share targeted to fall below 5% by end-2027.
What does this mean for applicants?
Applicants offshore without a provincial nomination or category advantage face markedly higher difficulty; French ability is a high-value lever, and those already studying or working in Canada benefit relatively.
Where does this information come from?
IRCC / industry-compiled statistics (Note on scope: Cut-offs and draw sizes are industry-compiled statistics), verified by us on 2026-09-20.
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