Express Entry April–July 2026: Summary of Draws and the Unusual Round of 4 ITAs for Military Personnel

The Express Entry system never ceases to surprise applicants for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. 

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More and more people with a good command of French are being invited to apply for the RP with relatively low scores. Furthermore, in July, only four invitations were issued to qualified military personnel— a number never before seen in a specific lottery.

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On July 23, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Round #430 for Qualified Military Recruits and issued only 4 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to those who achieved a minimum CRS score of 368. This is somewhat unusual in a highly competitive and demanding system like Express Entry.

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In this blog post, I’ll explain why this number is so low and analyze the trends in the draws from April through July 2026 so you can understand the actual direction Canadian immigration is taking.

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Express Entry Draw Summary (April–July 2026)

The system's performance over the last four months shows a clear contrast between the priority given to Canadian work experience (CEC), provincial nominations (PNP), and, most strikingly, proficiency in French. 

Below is a breakdown of the drawings:

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Featured Giveaways for July 

• July 23 (Qualified Military Recruits): 4 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 368
• July 22 (Proficiency in French): 5,000 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 399
• July 21 (Canadian Experience Class - CEC): 2,000 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 516
• July 20 (Provincial Candidate Program - PNP): 511 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 744
• July 10 (Senior Executives with Canadian Experience): 500 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 392
• July 9 (French Proficiency): 5,000 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 420
• July 7 (Canadian Experience Class - CEC): 2000 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 517
• July 6 (Provincial Candidate Program - PNP): 534 ITA | Minimum CRS score: 708

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Why were there only 4 ITAs in the July 23 drawing?

This figure is due to the fact that this is the first draw of the year for this category, which was recently created and is aimed at highly specific profiles that are already part of or work directly with the Canadian Armed Forces.

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Behind these four invitations lies the reality of migration trends through the Express Entry system: while a highly specific group required only 368 points for four spots, thousands of French-speaking candidates with Canadian experience continue to compete in large-scale draws to meet the country’s needs.

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Cumulative trend from April through June 

• French-speaking applicants lead in the number of invitations: The French-language competition lotteries have established themselves as the pathway with the most accessible cutoff scores in the entire general system (399 to 420 points), issuing massive blocks of 4,000 to 5,000 ITAs per round.

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• Solid and Competitive Canadian Experience (CEC): This category remains in high demand, with consistent rounds of 2,000 to 4,000 ITAs, but requires high scores ranging from 514 to 518 CRS points.

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• Specific categories focused on high-demand occupations: The rounds targeting the healthcare sector and senior executives demonstrate that holding a priority occupation in Canada allows applicants to qualify with scores below the 400-point threshold.

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How can I increase my chances of being selected in upcoming drawings?

To ensure that your profile remains competitive within the Express Entry pool, we recommend implementing a plan for continuous optimization:

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1. Investing in French: The evidence from the July draws is clear. Achieving a B2 level or higher in French (NCLC 7) earns substantial points in the CRS and grants access to the category rounds with the lowest cutoff scores in the system.

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2. Gain Canadian work experience or complete local studies: If your profile does not reach the 500-point threshold under the federal stream, try to gain qualified work experience in Canada through valid work permits; this will help increase your score in the CEC category.

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3. Opting for Provincial Nominations (PNP): A provincial nomination adds 600 direct points to your Express Entry profile, guaranteeing an invitation in the next provincial round, regardless of fluctuations in the federal market.

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4. Regularly review and update your profile: Making sure your Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs), verified work experience, and language test scores are up to date and optimized to the fullest extent possible will prevent you from losing points on your score.

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NOTE: By following these recommendations, you will be able to successfully apply for permanent residency once you receive your ITA. However, it is important to remember that there are no “miracle” lotteries —such as the one for military personnel with four ITAs—nor should you rely on a single category to be invited; you must enhance your profile to increase your chances of entering the system through the various available channels.

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Do you need to know if your profile qualifies for the Express Entry system? To get started, you can request a Free Assessment or Schedule a Consultation with a licensed consultant.

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At Immiland Canada, we work with our clients to conduct a technical and strategic assessment of their profiles in order to identify the most effective immigration pathway to permanent residence.

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Remember to stay informed about trends in the Express Entry system to ensure that your application has the best chance of success.

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Best of luck, and thank you for joining us for this reading.

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See you in the next blog post, where we’ll continue to help you build your Canadian dream with professionalism, dedication, and empathy!

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With love,

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Immiland Canada