This year's cut-offs by draw type
Results from January 1 to October 28, 2026:
| Draw type | Lowest | Highest | Most recent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 697 | 805 | 761 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 523 | 519 |
| Trades | 476 | 477 | 476 |
| Transport | 470 | 477 | 477 |
| Healthcare and social services | 467 | 475 | 475 |
| Senior managers with Canadian experience | 389 | 429 | 389 |
| French-language proficiency | 382 | 435 | 407 |
| Physicians with Canadian experience | 169 | 223 | 198 |
PNP cut-offs look high because a nomination itself adds 600 points. See every round on our draws page.
Important: scoring changed on November 3, 2026. Candidates with high-wage experience or job offers can gain points, so future cut-offs may be different. See what changed.
What your score means
| Your score | What it usually means | What to look at |
|---|---|---|
| Under 400 | Below most 2026 draws | Better language scores, French, a PNP, Canadian work |
| 400 to 449 | In range of French draws | French test if you're close to NCLC 7, language retest, more experience |
| 450 to 499 | In range of some occupation draws, if you qualify | Category rules, high-wage points, a PNP |
| 500 to 519 | Close to recent CEC cut-offs | Small gains can matter: CLB 9, a second credential, a sibling in Canada |
| 520+ | Above 2026's CEC range so far | Get your documents ready now |
These are general ranges based on past rounds. They're not a promise of an invitation.
Where the points usually are
The biggest gains for most people:
- Language: moving from CLB 8 to CLB 9 in all skills raises your core points and can raise your skill transferability points too.
- French: NCLC 7 in all skills adds 25 to 50 additional points.
- Canadian work: the first year adds 40 points if you're single, plus possible high-wage points.
- Nomination: adds 600 points.
See 12 ways to increase your CRS score, with the points for each.
FAQs
What is the minimum CRS score for Express Entry?
There isn't one. Each round sets its own cut-off, based on who's in the pool and how many people IRCC invites.
Is a 400 CRS score good?
It's below most 2026 rounds, but French-language rounds have come close: the lowest this year was 382. Whether it's enough depends on the rounds you qualify for.
Is 500 a good CRS score?
It's a solid score and above recent occupation rounds, but 2026 CEC cut-offs have been between 507 and 523.
How accurate are online CRS calculators?
Your official score is the one in your IRCC account. Ours follows IRCC's calculator, but it's still an estimate.