For most people in the Express Entry pool, the biggest frustration is not knowing when the next invitation will arrive. You prepare documents, keep your CRS score competitive, and wait—sometimes for months. In August 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finally offered more clarity by publishing its invitation schedule for category-based draws.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has expanded category-based draws in 2026 by adding new targeted groups like physicians, senior managers, and researchers.
These are not replacements but additional priority categories, meaning your chances now depend more on your occupation/category than just CRS score.
What IRCC Revealed For Upcoming Express Entry Draws 2026
IRCC has been running category-based draws since 2023, targeting specific sectors facing labour shortages. The 2026 schedule highlights how many ITAs were planned, how many have already been issued, and which opportunities are still open.
Remaining ITAs for 2026 (official IRCC figures)
| Category | Total ITAs Planned | ITAs Issued So Far | ITAs Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare & Social Services | 8,000* | 7,500* | 500* |
| Education | 3,000* | 1,000* | 2,000* |
| Trades Occupations (2026-Version 3) | 3,000 | 3,000 | 0 |
| Senior Managers (2026-Version 1) | 250 | 250 | 0 |
| Researchers (2026-Version 1) | — | 0 | — |
Key takeaway: Healthcare is nearly maxed out, but Trades and Education streams still hold more than 5,000 invitations combined—making them the best remaining opportunities in 2025.
Which Category Will Get ITA In Next Express Entry Draw?
General Express Entry rounds usually demand very high CRS scores (often 520+).
Category-based draws, on the other hand, are designed to fill labour shortages quickly, which means cut-off scores are significantly lower.
CRS Advantage by Occupation Category
| Category | Typical CRS in General Draws | Typical CRS in Category-Based Draws (2026) | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare & Social Services | 520–540+ | ~467 | 40–70 points lower |
| STEM Occupations | 520–535+ | ~480–500 (estimated range) | 20–40 points lower |
| French Language Proficiency | 510–530+ | ~393–400 | 100+ points lower |
| Education Occupations | 520–535+ | ~462–479 (latest known range) | 30–60 points lower |
| Trades Occupations | 500–520+ | ~477 | 20–40 points lower |
| Physicians (New) | 520+ | ~169 | Massive advantage (300+ lower) |
| Senior Managers (New) | 520+ | ~429 | 80–100 points lower |
| Researchers (New) | 520+ | Not yet conducted | TBD |
For candidates sitting in the pool with scores in the 480s or 490s, these targeted draws can be the difference between waiting endlessly and finally receiving an ITA.
1. Healthcare – 8000 ITAs including Nurses, Physicians, and Pharmacists and Similar Roles
IRCC allocated 8,000 ITAs to healthcare in 2025. With 7,500 already issued, only a few hundred remain. Nurses, physicians, and pharmacists are still in critical shortage across Canada, but if you haven’t received an invitation yet, the window is narrow. Provinces like British Columbia and Ontario continue to run parallel healthcare-focused PNP draws, which may now be a better backup strategy.
2. Education – 2,000 ITAs Still Open
Teachers, early childhood educators, and secondary school instructors remain in demand. IRCC left a third of its Education allocation untouched so far. This is good news for candidates with valid ECAs, provincial licensing potential, and CLB 7+ language scores. Ontario and BC especially highlight teachers in their labour shortage reports.
3. Trades – The Biggest Opportunity Left in 2025
Not a single one of the 3,300 ITAs for trades has been issued yet. Carpenters, electricians, and welders are on nearly every province’s high-demand list. With lower CRS requirements and unfilled quotas, trades candidates hold the largest remaining advantage in 2025.
Examples of High-Demand Trades (Job Bank Canada)
| Occupation | NOC | Median Salary | Priority Provinces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | 72200 | $70,000 | Alberta, Saskatchewan |
| Carpenters | 72310 | $60,000 | BC, Manitoba |
| Welders | 72106 | $68,000 | Alberta, Ontario |
Steps To Apply For Canada Immigration In Upcoming Express Entry Draws
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Check Your NOC Eligibility
- Use Job Bank Canada to confirm your NOC aligns with the category.
- For trades, ensure you list relevant apprenticeship or licensing details.
-
Strengthen Your CRS Profile
- Even in category-based draws, a higher CRS gives you priority.
- Retake IELTS/CELPIP to push scores above CLB 9 if possible.
-
French Proficiency as a Multiplier
- Even outside the French-language category, strong French can add +50 CRS points.
- French-speaking teachers or healthcare workers gain double advantages.
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Consider PNP Pathways Alongside Express Entry
- Provinces receive IRCC’s three-month ITA calendar, meaning they will align their own nominations accordingly.
- Example: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program often selects tradespeople in rural areas right before an IRCC draw.
Conclusion
Trades category is no longer a major remaining opportunity in 2026, while Education draws remain uncertain—making targeted categories like French, Healthcare, and new streams (e.g., Senior Managers) stronger pathways for candidates in the current Express Entry pool.
