If you're a skilled professional in the United States, you're likely all too familiar with H-1B uncertainty and the seemingly endless Green Card backlog.

But what if there was a clearer, faster path to permanent residency?

Welcome to Canada's Express Entry system. This is Canada's primary engine for managing skilled immigration, and it's actively targeting professionals just like you. The U.S. H-1B and Canadian Express Entry systems are worlds apart. Canada offers a transparent, points-based system that leads directly to permanent residency, often in under a year.

Latest Express Entry Draw Results 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws from the Express Entry pool regularly. These draws determine the minimum CRS score needed to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

On January 21, 2026, IRCC opened the year with one more Express Entry draw of 2026 (Draw #392), inviting 6,000 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program. With a CRS cut-off of 509, this draw clearly highlights how provincial nominations can significantly strengthen the PR prospects of international students and work-permit holders already contributing to Canada’s workforce.

Here is a summary of the most recent draws, which we update immediately after every announcement.

Source: Official IRCC data

Upcoming Express Entry Draw Updates for Skilled Workers – 2026

This table of numbers tells a very clear story. Here's our expert analysis for U.S.-based applicants.

1. The "CRS Score" Is No Longer One Number

You'll notice draws have wildly different CRS cut-offs, from 416 to 738. This is because draws are no longer just "General" (or "all-program"). The most important development is Category-Based Express Entry Draw.

IRCC is now prioritizing candidates in specific, high-need categories:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations (e.g., construction, carpenters)
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations
• NEW for 2025-26: Education occupations (e.g., teachers)

What this means for you: Don't be discouraged by a "high" general score (which has been over 520). If you are a software engineer (STEM), a nurse (Healthcare), or a teacher (Education), you can be invited with a much lower CRS score. For example, the October 15 Healthcare draw invited candidates at 472.

2. Big News for H-1B Holders in Tech

While IRCC streamlined the STEM category in February 2025 to be more focused (removing some IT roles like data scientists and software developers), it added key engineering and technical roles. If your U.S. job is in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, you are a prime target for these draws. Furthermore, Canada has signaled it will launch an accelerated pathway for H-1B visa holders in the coming months, aiming to attract top talent in tech and healthcare who are facing uncertainty in the U.S.

3. PNP is Your "Secret Weapon"

Notice those PNP draws with scores like 738, 761, and 802?

Don't panic! That score includes the 600-point bonus for receiving a Provincial Nomination. This means the candidates' original "human capital" scores were as low as 138. Securing a nomination from a province like Ontario or British Columbia is a powerful strategy that K7 Immigration specializes in.

What will be a Good CRS Score in 2026?

Competition is increasing, and with Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan, understanding what qualifies as a strong CRS score has become essential for improving your chances of selection through Express Entry.

• For a General Draw (All Programs): These are highly competitive. Based on 2024-2025 trends, you would likely need a score above 520-530. This is difficult to achieve without Canadian experience.
• For a Category-Based Draw (e.g., Healthcare, STEM, Education): This is the new sweet spot. Scores in 2025 have been in the 460-490 range. This is achievable for many skilled U.S. professionals.
• For a Category-Based Draw (French Proficiency): This is the ultimate "hack." If you have strong French skills, scores can be as low as 379-430.
• For a PNP Draw: Your base score (e.g., 300-450) doesn't matter as much. What matters is that you meet the specific needs of a province. If they nominate you, the 600-point bonus guarantees an invitation.

How K7 Helps U.S. Professionals For Canada PR

As a U.S. based professional, you have a significant advantage. Your high-skilled work experience is highly valued. But navigating the system is complex. A simple mistake on your profile can cause you to be screened out of a category draw.

Here is how we help:

• H-1B to PR Strategy: We specialize in helping H-1B holders create a "parallel path" to Canadian PR, giving you a powerful backup plan. Canada is actively launching new pathways to attract H-1B holders from the U.S.
• Profile Optimization: We ensure your U.S. work experience is mapped perfectly to the correct Canadian National Occupation Classification (NOC) code to make you eligible for category-based draws.
• CRS Score Maximization: We review every point, from language skills to spousal factors, to ensure your score is as high as possible.
• PNP Navigation: We actively monitor all provincial programs and advise you on which ones to target to get that 600-point bonus.