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Canada Express Entry 2026: IRCC Invites Candidates Across PNP, CEC and Physicians Category

shweta chugh

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Shweta Chugh

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Canada Express Entry 2026: IRCC Invites Candidates Across PNP, CEC and Physicians Category

Canada starts the month strong by issuing fresh invitations through several Express Entry invitation rounds. The latest round of selections invited candidates across Provincial Nominee Program category, Canadian Experience Class, and Physicians with Canadian work experience. 

In the first week of the month, IRCC issued invitations across two categories i.e., CEC and Physicians with Canadian work experience whereas the PNP invitation round was conducted on August 31, 2026, issuing a total of 2791 ITAs (invitation to apply) through the Express Entry system. The Express Entry selection rounds enable skilled, competent foreign nationals to immigrate to the country and later settle as permanent residents of Canada

Latest Express Entry Invitation Rounds

The latest Express Entry invitation rounds invited more than 2,700 candidates to apply for permanent residency. With consecutive three draws, IRCC has invited skilled candidates across three streams – PNP, CEC and Physicians category. Below mentioned is a clear representation of Express Entry draws held in the first week of September 2026. 

Latest Provincial Nominee Program Draw 

Draw Date: August 31, 2026

ITAs Issued: 562

CRS Score: 697

Profile Created on: created an Express Entry candidate profile before 4:32 a.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on April 12, 2026 

Latest Canadian Experience Class Draw 

Draw Date: September 1, 2026

ITAs Issued: 2,000

CRS Score: 521

Profile Created on: created an Express Entry candidate profile before 3:24 a.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on August 18, 2026 

Latest Physicians with Canadian Experience Draw 

Draw Date: September 3, 2026

ITAs Issued: 229

CRS Score: 198

Profile Created on: created an Express Entry candidate profile before 7:40 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on August 6, 2026 

Draw Date

Draw Type

CRS Score

ITAs Issued

September 3, 2026

Physicians with Canadian work experience

198

229

September 1, 2026

Canadian Experience Class

521

2,000

August 31, 2026

Provincial Nominee Program 

697

562

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Express Entry Draws 2026: Detailed Analysis

With a total 52 selection rounds, IRCC has invited a total of 122,656 ITAs across several categories such as PNP, CEC, Physicians, Healthcare, Transport, and even Skilled Military Recruits. With this Canada has reached approximately 32.3% of its Immigration level plan 2026–28

With the latest PNP draw, where 562 ITAs were issued at a CRS score of 697, featured a cut-off score 63 points below the previous round on August 17, 2026 where it recorded a CRS score of 760 and 442 ITAs. Notably, the latest draw recorded the lowest PNP cut-off score of 2026 so far. 

Meanwhile, the latest CEC draw issued on September 1, 2026 with a CRS score of 521 and a significant number of invitations i.e., 2,000 ITAs. Throughout the CEC invitation rounds, the CRS cut-off scores have generally ranged between 507 to 523. With a CRS score of 521, the latest draw recorded the second highest CRS cut-off score of 2026, after March 17, 2026 which invited a total of 4,000 candidates, with a CRS score of 507. 

To an interesting note, IRCC has invited skilled and competent foreign nationals through the Physicians with Canadian work experience category. The latest invitation round under this category, is considered to be the third invitation round of 2026. Compared to the previous Express Entry selections targeting physicians with Canadian work experience, this draw features the lowest invitation count and the second highest CRS score cut-off. Below is a clear representation of Physicians with Canadian work experience selection rounds held in the year 2026.

 

Draw Date

CRS Score cut-off

ITAs Issued

September 3, 2026

198

229

June 24, 2026

223

271

February 19, 2026

169

391

Amongst detailed representation of category based draws, IRCC also provides analysis of the total number of draws held in 2026 across different categories. With total 52 invitation rounds, a clear representation is as follows: 

Draw Type

ITAs Issued

Number of Draws

Canadian Experience Class

51,250

15

French Language Proficiency

50,500

10

Provincial Nominee Program

7,961

17

Healthcare and social services

8,000

2

Trade

3,000

1

Transport

300

1

Physicians with Canadian work experience

891

3

Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience

750

2

Skilled Military Recruits

4

1

After witnessing this representation, it has been noteworthy that the Canadian Experience Class category ranks ahead across category based selection with issuing a maximum number of ITAs i.e., 51,250. The substantial number of CEC invitations highlights Canada’s intention to strengthen its economy by inviting applicants with prior Canadian work experience. By inviting candidates with prior work experience, Canada aims to address workforce requirements while turning experienced temporary residents into long-term economic assets. 

Meanwhile, Canada has issued the maximum number of draws through the Provincial Nominee Program category, i.e., 17 draws, highlighting Canada's focus on addressing its workforce needs in several provinces. As the shortage of professionals persists in every sector of the Canadian labour market, the country aims to invite foreign nations through different category based selections. Lastly, as of August 30, 2026, IRCC has provided a list of candidates listed in the Express Entry pool with a total of 226,673 candidates. 

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Well, if you are also a skilled professional with Canadian work experience or a physician with Canadian work experience, planning to immigrate to Canada in search of better career prospects, then this could be the right time for you. Now get all the Canadian immigration insights with Province Immigration and plan your Canada PR journey. For more information call us at: +919896196762.

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