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First Express Entry Draw Under Canada’s New Category Hits Lowest CRS Since 2021
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 391 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the newly introduced Physicians with Canadian work experience category.
CRS Cut-Off Drops to Historic Low
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 169 to receive an invitation. Profiles had to be submitted before 3:25 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026.
With a CRS cut-off of 169, this becomes the second-lowest CRS score in Express Entry history, surpassed only by a pandemic-era Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw in 2021, which had a CRS requirement of 75.
Express Entry Draws List of 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
This marks the ninth Express Entry draw of the year 2026.
New Physician Category Announced in December 2025
IRCC introduced the Physicians with Canadian work experience category in December 2025 as part of broader measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s healthcare workforce. The initiative is designed to address doctor shortages through both federal and provincial immigration pathways.
Eligibility Requirements for the Physician Category
To qualify under this category, candidates must:
- Meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three Express Entry-managed programs;
- Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) within the past three years;
- Obtain this work experience in Canada;
- Work in one of the three eligible physician occupations included in the category;
- Meet all requirements outlined in the ministerial instructions for the specific draw.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, IRCC has largely focused on candidates already in Canada, particularly those with:
- Provincial nominations
- Canadian work experience
Number of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 3 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 1 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
ITAs Issued in 2026 So Far
IRCC has issued a total of 30,848 ITAs across all categories this year:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 20,000 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,534 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 391 |
| Total | 30,848 |
As Canada continues to prioritize in-country applicants and targeted occupational categories, the introduction of the physician category signals a clear focus on strengthening the country’s healthcare system through immigration.