Express Entry Draw #426: FST CRS Cut-Off Hits Record Low of 392 as IRCC Invites 500 Candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry draw #426 on July 10, 2026, a Federal Skilled Trades (FST) round that invited 500 candidates to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for an invitation was 392 — a drop of 85 points from the previous FST draw, and the lowest cut-off recorded for this category across the 21 FST draws in the available data.

The Federal Skilled Trades Class is one of the three federal economic programs managed through Express Entry, designed for candidates with qualifying experience in specific skilled trade occupations. FST draws have historically been less frequent and more irregular in timing than CEC or program-wide rounds, and this round continues that pattern.

Draw #426 at a Glance

No tie-breaking timestamp was published for this round. All figures above are drawn from IRCC's official Express Entry rounds of invitations data (canada.ca).

CRS Score Analysis

The CRS cut-off in draw #426 fell sharply, from 477 to 392, an 85-point drop that is by far the largest single-round change in the FST trend data available. Invitations issued also fell substantially, from 3,000 to 500, meaning IRCC ran a much smaller round while simultaneously lowering the score threshold — an unusual combination, since a smaller invitation pool would typically be expected to push a cut-off up rather than down.

The significance of this score becomes clearer against the category's broader history. Across the 21 FST draws IRCC has run to date, the average minimum CRS score is 498, with a previously recorded range of up to 561. Draw #426's score of 392 is now the lowest minimum CRS ever recorded for this category in the available data, matching the category_stats floor exactly. Within 2026, IRCC has held only 3 FST draws, with a year-to-date average cut-off of 433 — meaning this round's 392 threshold sits 41 points below even that reduced 2026 average.

Federal Skilled Trades Category Trend

The table below tracks the seven FST draws preceding #426, plus this round, showing how the minimum CRS score has moved over time. Note that FST draws are held infrequently, so this trend spans more than two years.

Over the two-year span shown, the FST cut-off had moved within a 429–505 range, oscillating between consecutive draws rather than trending steadily in one direction. Draw #426 breaks decisively below that range, landing 37 points under the previous low of 429 recorded in draw #402 in March 2026. This is the most significant shift in the FST trend data reviewed here.

What This Means for Applicants

Candidates in the Express Entry pool with qualifying skilled trade experience and a CRS score of 392 or higher would have received an invitation in this round — a substantially more accessible threshold than any prior FST draw in the available data. Given the historical volatility of this category, with swings of 40–85 points between consecutive draws, candidates near this score should not assume future FST rounds will maintain a similarly low cut-off; the trend data shows this category has moved sharply in both directions between rounds.

The combination of a lower CRS threshold and a smaller invitation count (500, down from 3,000) suggests IRCC may have targeted a narrower band of the FST-eligible pool in this round. Candidates without Canadian work experience or a provincial nomination who qualify under FST criteria should treat this draw as a signal that the category remains active, but should also monitor IRCC's published rounds data directly, since the timing of FST draws has ranged from roughly two weeks to several months apart in the data reviewed.

Key Takeaways

• Draw #426 issued 500 invitations to FST candidates at a minimum CRS score of 392 — the lowest FST cut-off recorded in the available 21-draw history.
• The cut-off fell 85 points and invitations fell by 2,500 compared to the prior FST round on April 2, 2026.
• The 2026 year-to-date FST average cut-off is 433; draw #426's 392 threshold is 41 points below that average.
• FST draws remain irregular in timing, with a 99-day gap since the previous FST-specific round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What CRS score was needed for draw #426? A minimum CRS score of 392 was required to receive an invitation in this Federal Skilled Trades round — the lowest FST cut-off in the available historical data.

How many candidates were invited in draw #426? IRCC issued 500 invitations to apply (ITAs) in this round, held July 10, 2026.

Why did the FST cut-off drop by 85 points? The available data shows the score and invitation count both fell sharply compared to the previous FST round, but does not specify IRCC's internal reasoning. The drop suggests a shift in the composition or size of the eligible candidate pool rather than a stated policy change.

How often are FST draws held? Unlike CEC or PNP rounds, which often follow a roughly two-week cadence, FST draws have occurred at irregular intervals — from about two weeks to several months apart in the trend data reviewed for this category.

Use the CRS Score Calculator to estimate your Comprehensive Ranking System score, or review All Express Entry Draws for the complete history of invitation rounds.