How a One-Year Diploma Can Boost Your Express Entry CRS Score

Trong hệ thống Express Entry của Canada, mỗi điểm CRS đều có giá trị. Một trong những cách tăng điểm tương đối “dễ tiếp cận” và bền vững là hoàn thành một chương trình diploma 1 năm, dù học tại Canada hoặc ngoài Canada.

This article will help readers understand:

• Which group of candidates is clearly being favored?
• Vì sao diploma 1 năm có thể tạo khác biệt lớn về điểm CRS
• Trends in withdrawing Express Entry applications in 2026

What is a one-year diploma? How valuable is it in Express Entry?

A one-year diploma is a post-secondary education program, typically lasting a minimum of eight months of full-time study.

In the CRS system, this qualification can:

• Considered a valid post-secondary qualification.
• Combine with other factors to activate significant advantages.

How does a one-year diploma help increase your CRS score?

A one-year diploma can offer distinct advantages when combined with:

• Good results in English or French
• Work experience in Canada
• Studying in Canada (Canadian education)

Example

• Candidates with a university degree and a one-year diploma may be considered to have "two post-secondary qualifications".
• If the diploma was obtained in Canada, additional points will be added.
• Using a diploma to qualify for work allows you to accumulate Canadian work experience, a factor that is being strongly prioritized in 2026.

Overview of Express Entry draw cycles in 2026

Below is a summary of the Express Entry draw cycles in 2026:

Draw date	Type of application withdrawal	CRS score	Number of ITA
4/3	French-language proficiency	397	5,500
3/3	Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	508	4,000
2/3	Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)	710	264
20/2	Healthcare & social services	467	4,000
19/2	Physicians with Canadian work experience	169	391
17/2	Canadian Experience Class	508	6,000
16/2	Provincial Nominee Program	789	279
6/2	French-language proficiency	400	8,500
3/2	Provincial Nominee Program	749	423
21/1	Canadian Experience Class	509	6,000
20/1	Provincial Nominee Program	746	681
7/1	Canadian Experience Class	511	8,000
5/1	Provincial Nominee Program	711	574

Important Note:
The French language withdrawal on March 4, 2026, had the lowest CRS score in over a year for this group. In the last 12 months, only the withdrawal for doctors with experience working in Canada had a lower score.

Express Entry Trends 2026: Who is getting priority?

Data from 2026 shows that IRCC is focusing heavily on candidates who are already in Canada.

Number of withdrawals per group

Withdrawal type	Number of batches
Provincial Nominee Program	5
Canadian Experience Class	4
French-language proficiency	2
Physicians with Canadian work experience	1
Healthcare & social services	1

Total number of ITA invitations issued in 2026

Withdrawal type	Number of ITA
Canadian Experience Class	24,000
French-language proficiency	14,000
Healthcare & social services	4,000
Provincial Nominee Program	1,798
Physicians with Canadian work experience	391

Despite having only two rounds of French-language visa applications, this group received 14,000 ITAs, ranking second in the entire system for 2026.

Who is a one-year diploma program suitable for?

A one-year diploma program is particularly suitable for:

• People who already have a college degree but don't have a high enough CRS score.
• International workers want to create a bridge to Canadian work experience.
• Candidates plan to pursue further studies to meet the CEC or PNP requirements.
• Those aiming to study, work, and settle in Canada should apply for Express Entry from outside Canada.

Conclusion

In the context of Express Entry 2026:

• CRS scores are no longer a "competitive race for high scores across the board".
• Work experience in Canada, French language skills, and provincial nomination are playing a key role.

A one-year diploma program, if strategically chosen, can be a major turning point, transforming a "hard-to-compete" application into one that qualifies for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).