Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its first-ever Express Entry draw dedicated to Skilled Military Recruits, marking the launch of a new category introduced earlier in 2026. In this latest selection round, the department invited four candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The draw took place on July 23, 2026, making it the smallest Express Entry invitation round ever conducted since the system was introduced.
Skilled Military Recruits Express Entry Draw – July 23, 2026
Candidates selected in this category-based draw were required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 368
- Express Entry profile submitted before 8:11 p.m. UTC on June 2, 2026
Only four Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, making this the first and only Skilled Military Recruits draw conducted so far under the newly established category.
Recent Express Entry Draws in 2026
IRCC has continued to conduct multiple category-based and program-specific Express Entry draws throughout 2026. Recent invitation rounds include:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Score | ITAs Issued |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French-Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French-Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
First-Ever Military Recruitment Category Draw
The Skilled Military Recruits category was introduced by IRCC in February 2026 as part of Canada’s evolving Express Entry system. The July 23 draw represents the first selection round under this stream and demonstrates Canada’s commitment to recognizing skilled military personnel as potential permanent residents.
Although only four candidates received invitations, the draw establishes a new pathway for eligible military recruits seeking permanent residence in Canada.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
With this latest round, IRCC has conducted 42 Express Entry draws during 2026.
The majority of invitations this year have focused on candidates with Canadian work experience, provincial nominations, and French-language proficiency.
Number of Draws by Category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 12 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
Total ITAs Issued Through Express Entry in 2026
To date, IRCC has issued 104,616 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across various Express Entry categories.
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 45,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 40,500 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,450 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The introduction of the Skilled Military Recruits category highlights Canada’s continued efforts to address specific labour and national workforce priorities through targeted Express Entry selections. While this inaugural draw invited only four candidates, it signals that IRCC may continue using specialized category-based draws to attract individuals with unique skills and professional experience.
As Express Entry evolves, applicants should keep their profiles updated and monitor future invitation rounds, as IRCC continues to prioritize candidates who align with Canada’s economic and workforce needs.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s first Skilled Military Recruits Express Entry draw represents another milestone in the country’s immigration strategy. Although the invitation count was limited, the launch of this category expands permanent residence opportunities for qualified military recruits. With more than 104,000 ITAs already issued in 2026, Express Entry remains one of Canada’s primary pathways for skilled immigrants seeking permanent residence.