published on 7 May 2026 @ 1:31 pm · COMMENT

Express Entry Draws – April 2026

April has been a relatively quiet month for Express Entry, with only four draws conducted. Despite the lower volume, IRCC continued to focus on targeted selection across its core immigration categories. The month’s most notable development was the first-ever Express Entry draw under the Trades Occupations category. The draw signals the formal introduction of Trades as a priority category within Express Entry selection.

April 15, 2026 – French-Language Proficiency: 4,000 invitations issued, minimum CRS score 419
April 14, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class: 2,000 invitations issued, minimum CRS score 515
April 13, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 324 invitations issued, minimum CRS score 786
April 2, 2026 – Trades Occupations: 3,000 invitations issued, minimum CRS score 477

The remaining draws followed established CEC, PNP, and French-language patterns. Overall, April’s lower draw volume points to a slower pace of selection, while maintaining IRCC’s focus on in-Canada candidates and labour market priorities.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE