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Express Entry July 2026: Latest Draw Recap (PNP CRS 708)
A quick recap of Canada s early-July 2026 Express Entry draws — the 6 July PNP round (CRS 708, the lowest PNP cut-off this year) plus the late-June CEC, healthcare and physician rounds — and what the numbers mean for your profile.
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Canada s first Express Entry draw of July 2026 was held on 6 July 2026 — a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round that issued 534 invitations with a CRS cut-off of 708, reported as the lowest PNP cut-off so far this year. It followed a busy end to June, including a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) round at CRS 516 and category-based draws for healthcare and physicians. IRCC continues to favour category-based selection in 2026.
Recent Express Entry draws (late June – early July 2026)
The most recent rounds, newest first:
| Date | Category | Invitations | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jul 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 534 | 708 |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Healthcare & social services | 4,000 | 475 |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Physicians (Canadian experience) | 271 | 223 |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 516 |
| 22 Jun 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 995 | 730 |
What the numbers mean for you
The spread between categories is the story of 2026:
- PNP draws show very high cut-offs (708–730) because a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — the score reflects nominees, not the general pool.
- CEC draws are steady around CRS 516 — the core route if you have Canadian work experience.
- Category-based draws can invite much lower scores — the physician round went as low as CRS 223, and French-language rounds in 2026 have often cut off near 400.
- Takeaway: if your CRS is below the CEC line, your fastest levers are a provincial nomination, stronger language (aim CLB 9), or qualifying for an in-demand category.
Check where you stand
Estimate your score with the free Express Entry CRS calculator, see the full running history on the Express Entry draws tracker, and read how Express Entry works for the fundamentals. For the official, most up-to-date round, always check IRCC s rounds-of-invitations page.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the latest Express Entry draw in July 2026?
- The 6 July 2026 draw was a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round: 534 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 708 — reported as the lowest PNP cut-off this year. Check the Express Entry draws tracker for the latest round after this date.
- What CRS score do I need for a CEC draw right now?
- Recent Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rounds in 2026 have cut off around CRS 514–518. PNP rounds are much higher (a nomination adds 600 points).
- Why is the PNP cut-off so high (700+)?
- A provincial nomination is worth 600 CRS points, so nominated candidates have very high total scores. The PNP cut-off reflects nominees only — not the general pool.
- Is this page kept up to date?
- This is a dated recap of the early-July 2026 draws and will be archived after about a month. For the live, continuously-updated list, use our Express Entry draws tracker and confirm with IRCC.