Where the draws stand in late October 2026
Express Entry has been running year-round: 144,259 invitations issued across 63 rounds by late October 2026. October alone saw three draws in a week — 2,500 Canadian Experience Class candidates invited on October 15, 5,000 French-language candidates on October 16 at CRS 435, and 792 provincial nominees on October 26 at CRS 761.
TL;DR
- 144,259 invitations were issued across 63 Express Entry rounds by late October 2026.
- PNP-specific rounds run at high CRS cut-offs — the October 26 round was 761.
- CEC and category-based rounds run at much lower cut-offs, and they vary widely by round type.
- The pool shrinks and grows between draws — the October 25 snapshot was 228,724 candidates.
- A nomination from Ontario adds 600 CRS points and effectively guarantees an invitation.
What the round types mean for PNP applicants
- PNP-specific rounds: candidates who already have a provincial nomination. CRS cut-offs are high — typically above 700 — because the nomination itself adds 600 points.
- Canadian Experience Class rounds: candidates with Canadian work experience. Cut-offs vary widely; the October 15 round invited 2,500 candidates.
- Category-based rounds: French-language proficiency, trades, transport, healthcare and other categories. Cut-offs vary widely by category.
- General rounds: open to all eligible candidates. These run less frequently and cut-offs vary widely.
How the pool moves
The pool shrinks and grows between draws — the October 25 snapshot was 228,724 candidates. Each draw removes the candidates it invited, and new profiles enter the pool continuously. A competitive CRS score is the only thing that decides whether you are invited, and the score you need depends on the round type.
What this means for Ontario PNP applicants
If you are waiting for an OINP draw, the federal Express Entry rounds are the parallel track — and they run every two weeks. A nomination from Ontario adds 600 CRS points, but you need a competitive CRS score on your own if no nomination is coming. Our PNP vs Express Entry guide compares the routes, and the OINP draws guide tracks the provincial side.
How many Express Entry draws were there in 2026?
By late October 2026, 63 rounds had issued 144,259 invitations.
What is the CRS cut-off for a PNP Express Entry round?
PNP-specific rounds run at high cut-offs — the October 26, 2026 round was 761 — because the nomination itself adds 600 CRS points.
What is the CRS cut-off for a CEC round?
CEC cut-offs vary widely by round. The October 15, 2026 CEC round invited 2,500 candidates.
Does a nomination guarantee an Express Entry invitation?
A nomination adds 600 CRS points, which effectively guarantees an invitation. IRCC makes the final PR decision afterwards.
Related pages
Official sources
- IRCC — Express Entry rounds of invitations (accessed 2026-10-29)
- IRCC — Provincial nominees (accessed 2026-10-29)
