A month-by-month look at Express Entry rounds in 2026, with confirmed June, July and early August results locked in and the rest of the year estimated from the current pattern. Confirmed figures are marked clearly. Everything else is an estimate, and IRCC can change course at any time.
8 draws across 5 categories
Held steady at about 2,000 per round
507 invitations, confirmed
Confirmed rows reflect published results. Projected rows are estimates based on recent cadence and the annual levels plan, and should not be read as promises of any particular draw.
| Month | Status | Draw types | Invitations per round | CRS cut-off estimates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | Confirmed | Monthly cluster model rather than biweekly: PNP, CEC and French rounds | CEC 4,000 on June 23; PNP and French rounds within the cluster | CEC 516; PNP in the high 700s to low 800s; French in the high 390s to low 410s |
| July | Confirmed | Biweekly rhythm returned: 8 draws across 5 categories, 15,549 invitations in total, including PNP, two CEC rounds, French, Senior Manager and the first ever Skilled Military Recruits round | PNP 534 and 511; CEC 2,000 each; French 5,000; Senior Manager 500; Military 4 | PNP 708 and 744; CEC 517 and 516; French 399; Senior Manager 392; Military 368 |
| August | In progress | PNP confirmed on August 4 with 507 invitations. A CEC round is expected within days, French around mid-month, and a second cluster near the week of August 17 | PNP 400 to 600; CEC about 2,000; French 4,000 to 5,000 | PNP 720 to 770; CEC 515 to 518; French 395 to 420 |
| September | Projected | Biweekly clusters: PNP, CEC, French and possibly one occupation-based round | PNP 400 to 600; CEC 2,000; French 4,000 to 5,000; occupation 500 to 2,000 | PNP 700 to 770; CEC 515 to 518; French 395 to 425; occupation varies |
| October | Projected | Similar mix, with volumes starting to tighten as room in the annual levels plan shrinks | PNP 300 to 500; CEC 2,000 or smaller; French 3,000 to 5,000 | PNP 700 to 780; CEC 515 to 520; French 395 to 430 |
| November | Projected | PNP, French and possibly CEC, entering the year-end management phase | Smaller rounds; CEC may skip a cycle | CEC 516 to 520 or higher if cadence slows; French may drift up |
| December | Projected | PNP and possibly one French round, with a holiday slowdown likely | Fewest and smallest rounds of the year | Similar or slightly higher than November |
Several 2026 patterns moved away from earlier expectations. These are the shifts that matter most when you compare your own score against the year ahead.
The earlier 795 to 810 band is gone. Fresh provincial nominations brought cut-offs down into roughly the 708 to 770 range, with round sizes rising to about 500 to 600 rather than 250 to 400.
Instead of a wide 515 to 535 swing, Canadian Experience Class rounds have held a narrow 516 to 517 range at about 2,000 invitations per round for months. A return below 511 did not happen, and a sub-500 CEC round is not expected.
July delivered a French-language round of 5,000 invitations at a cut-off of 399, near the accessible end of earlier ranges.
Senior Manager occupations at 392 and Skilled Military Recruits at 368 were introduced. Neither helps a standard CEC candidate, but both consume room from the annual invitation total.
Roughly 104,600 invitations were issued through July against the year’s levels-plan room, which makes a November and December contraction more likely than earlier forecasts suggested.
The most useful comparison is your own estimated score against the rounds you would realistically be drawn in, not against every number in the table. A PNP cut-off near 768 looks intimidating, but it only applies to candidates who already hold a provincial nomination worth 600 points, so it says nothing about a general or Canadian Experience Class candidate. In the same way, category rounds for French, Senior Manager occupations or Skilled Military Recruits draw from small, specific groups and are not comparable with a general round.
For a candidate sitting in the low 500s, the honest read of the September and October rows is a stable Canadian Experience Class floor near 516 with no realistic drop coming. When the cut-off will not move toward you, the only reliable path is to move your own score toward it. A language retest that lifts your weakest ability, added eligible experience, French proficiency or a provincial nomination are the levers that actually change outcomes.
Start by estimating your position with the CRS calculator, check how a retest would change your language points using the CLB calculator, and compare provincial pathways with the PNP calculators. For the newest confirmed numbers, see the latest Express Entry draw results.
No one can predict draws with certainty. IRCC does not publish a draw calendar in advance and can change round types, sizes and timing at any time. Forecasts like this one are estimates based on recent patterns and the annual levels plan, not guarantees.
The June and July figures reflect results that have already been published, and the August 4 PNP round is confirmed. Every other August entry and all September through December figures are estimates that should be treated as such.
Canadian Experience Class rounds have held a narrow band near 516 for an extended period at steady round sizes. With invitation room tightening later in the year, a large drop is considered unlikely by this forecast, though it remains possible.
Raising your own score is the only factor you control. Better language results, additional eligible experience, French ability and a provincial nomination are the strongest levers. Use the CRS calculator to see which one closes your gap fastest.
Always confirm against the official IRCC rounds of invitations page and the live results page on this site before making any decision about tests, documents or applications.
The confirmed figures on this page reflect results reported at the time of writing. Round details, category definitions and tie-breaking rules should always be verified on IRCC’s official rounds of invitations page before you make decisions about tests, documents or applications.