Express Entry round-up, August 17–19: Canadian Experience Class at 523

Between August 17 and 19, 2026, IRCC held 3 Express Entry rounds and issued 6,442 invitations to apply.

This period's draws

Between August 17 and 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held 3 Express Entry rounds and issued 6,442 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

Round #435 (August 17), Provincial Nominee Program: 442 invitations, minimum CRS 760.

Round #436 (August 18), Canadian Experience Class: 1,000 invitations, minimum CRS 523.

Round #437 (August 19), French-language proficiency: 5,000 invitations, minimum CRS 382.

What it means

Provincial Nominee Program: cut-off 760, down 8 from the previous draw in this category (August 4, 768); 442 invitations versus 507.

Canadian Experience Class: cut-off 523, up 7 from the previous draw in this category (August 5, 516); 1,000 invitations versus 3,000.

French-language proficiency: cut-off 382, down 9 from the previous draw in this category (August 6, 391); invitations unchanged at 5,000.

Provincial Nominee Program scores include the 600 points awarded for a nomination, which is why that cut-off is much higher than the others.

Category-based rounds invite only candidates who meet the category's criteria, such as work experience in a listed occupation or strong French, so their cut-offs are usually lower than in rounds open to all programs.

What you can do

Estimate your score with our CRS calculator and compare it with recent cut-offs; the full list of rounds is on our Express Entry draws page. Candidates with strong French (TEF Canada or TCF Canada) should watch the French-language proficiency rounds. To find out whether you qualify for a category or how to raise your score, book an assessment.

Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.