Canada's immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has launched a new pathway under its Express Entry program targeting skilled foreign military personnel.

The inaugural draw for the Skilled Military Recruits category resulted in just four invitations to apply (ITAs), the lowest number ever issued in a single Express Entry round.Applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 368 and must have created their profile before June 2, 2026.This draw marks the first time IRCC has selected candidates under this category since its February 2026 introduction.The low number highlights the specialized nature of the category, which focuses on military skills aligning with Canada’s labor market needs.

Earlier in July, IRCC conducted larger draws for French-speaking candidates (5,000 invitations), Canadian Experience Class applicants (2,000 invitations), and Provincial Nominee Program candidates (511 invitations).

Since January 2026, IRCC has issued 104,616 ITAs through Express Entry, with the Canadian Experience Class receiving the most (45,250) and French-language proficiency draws accounting for 40,500.

The new category underscores Canada’s targeted approach to economic immigration, prioritizing candidates whose skills match specific workforce demands rather than broad selections.