Express Entry Rounds of Invitations
We invite candidates from the pool to apply in rounds throughout the year. We choose them based on points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
SEP Immigration gives you realistic options based on your specific situation. Our team handles complex cases like appeals and admissibility hearings. We represent serious clients who want professional legal guidance.
Latest round
The most recent draw targets the Provincial Nominee Program.
- Date and time: July 20, 2026 at 10:34:30 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 744
- Number of invitations issued: 511
- Rank needed: 511 or above
- Tie-breaking rule: May 26, 2026 at 18:11:36 UTC
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
You can see the full text of the Ministerial Instruction online. The government also released the CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool as of July 19, 2026.
Previous rounds of invitations
Check the scores of previous rounds to see how likely you are to get an invitation in the next round.
How the rounds work
- We choose the type of round we’ll hold.
- We decide the number of candidates we need to invite.
- We identify the highest-ranking candidates from the pool who are eligible for the chosen round type.
- We invite these candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Types of rounds of invitations
We hold different types of rounds of invitations throughout the year.
1. General rounds of invitations
We invite top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry.
2. Program-specific rounds of invitations
We invite top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program.
For example, if we’re holding a round specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), we would only invite candidates who are eligible for the PNP.
3. Category-based rounds of invitations
The Minister establishes a category to meet a specific economic goal. We then invite top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category.
You must be eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry to be placed in the pool.
Candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination
We’ll continue to invite candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination through general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.
Our professionals hold IRB and appeal licences. We deliver honest advice without false promises like guaranteed approvals. You can trust our team to build a strong strategy for your permanent residency goals.
What the Data Tells Us
Five hundred eleven invitations at a cut-off of 744 tells you this round was about supply, not competition. IRCC drew from the small group of candidates who had received a provincial nomination since the previous PNP round.
The 744 figure needs the same correction as every PNP cut-off. The 600 nomination points sit inside that number, so the lowest-ranked invited candidate held a base score of roughly 144. That is far below what any CEC or general round would require.
The 36-point jump from the July 6 cut-off of 708 reflects who entered the pool, not a tightening standard. The earlier round had already cleared most nominated candidates, so this round drew mainly from newer nominees who happened to carry higher base scores.
The tie-breaking timestamp of May 26, 2026 still decided outcomes for anyone sitting exactly at 744. A profile created before that moment was invited; an identical one created after it was not.
The practical message has not changed all year. A provincial nomination is worth more than any realistic gain in language scores or work experience, and pursuing a stream that matches your profile is the fastest route into rounds like this one.