Express Entry: Canada Holds First Draw for Military Recruits

Canada has held its first Express Entry selection round specifically for skilled military recruits, issuing four invitations to apply for permanent residence.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted the draw on July 23, 2026. Candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System score of at least 368 to receive an invitation.

They also needed to have created their Express Entry profiles before 8:11 p.m. UTC on June 2, 2026.

First Draw Under New Category

The July 23 round was the first draw for skilled military recruits since Canada introduced the category in February 2026.

The federal government created the pathway to attract highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces. Eligible candidates must have a job offer from the military.

The government previously identified military doctors, nurses and pilots as examples of recruits who could qualify. Candidates must also satisfy normal Express Entry eligibility rules, security screening and Canadian Armed Forces requirements.

Category-based Express Entry draws allow IRCC to select candidates with particular skills, professional experience or language abilities that support Canada’s economic and workforce priorities. Candidates must first qualify for at least one program managed through Express Entry.

Smallest Express Entry Draw on Record

With only four invitations issued, the latest round had the lowest number of invitations reported in an Express Entry draw.

It followed three larger draws held earlier in the same week.

On July 22, IRCC invited 5,000 candidates in a French-language proficiency round with a minimum CRS score of 399.

A Canadian Experience Class draw on July 21 issued 2,000 invitations with a cut-off score of 516. One day earlier, 511 Provincial Nominee Program candidates received invitations with a minimum score of 744.

The military draw’s CRS threshold of 368 was considerably lower than the scores required in those three rounds.

Canadian Experience Remains a Priority

IRCC has now conducted 42 Express Entry selection rounds in 2026.

Provincial Nominee Program candidates have been targeted in 14 rounds, while Canadian Experience Class candidates have been selected in 12. The department has also held eight French-language proficiency draws.

Other selections included two rounds each for physicians with Canadian work experience, health-care and social services workers, and senior managers with Canadian experience.

IRCC held one trades draw and one skilled military recruits draw.

The pattern shows that candidates with Canadian work experience, provincial nominations and strong French-language abilities continue to receive significant attention.

More Than 104,000 Invitations Issued

IRCC has issued 104,616 invitations through Express Entry so far in 2026.

Canadian Experience Class candidates received the largest share, with 45,250 invitations. French-language proficiency rounds accounted for another 40,500.

The department issued 8,000 invitations to health-care and social services candidates, 6,450 to provincial nominees and 3,000 to trades candidates.

Physicians with Canadian work experience received 662 invitations, while senior managers with Canadian experience received 750. The new military category accounted for four invitations.