Canada has continued its active immigration selection process with a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In the latest round held on April 28, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
Express Entry Draws Summary for 2026:
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
CRS Cut-Off and Eligibility Criteria
Candidates invited in this draw were required to meet specific eligibility criteria. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was set at 514, reflecting a moderately competitive threshold compared to other recent draws.
In addition to the CRS requirement, candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 2:18 p.m. UTC on September 24, 2025, based on the tie-breaking rule applied by IRCC.
The Canadian Experience Class remains one of the most accessible immigration pathways for candidates already working in Canada, particularly when compared to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, which typically have significantly higher CRS cut-offs.
Continued Focus on In-Canada Candidates
This draw marks the ninth Canadian Experience Class-specific draw and the 24th Express Entry draw overall in 2026, highlighting Canada’s ongoing focus on candidates with domestic work experience.
Throughout 2026, IRCC has consistently prioritized applicants who are already integrated into the Canadian labor market. This includes individuals with:
- Canadian work experience
- Provincial nominations
- Strong French-language proficiency
Such targeted selection aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy of addressing labor shortages while ensuring smoother economic integration of newcomers.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
The distribution of Express Entry draws this year demonstrates a clear emphasis on a few key categories. So far, the number of draws conducted under each category is as follows:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 9 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 8 draws
- French-language proficiency: 4 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 1 draw
- Trades: 1 draw
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
The high frequency of CEC and PNP draws indicates that Canada is prioritizing candidates who can contribute immediately to the economy.
Total ITAs Issued in 2026
As of the latest draw, IRCC has issued a total of 67,627 ITAs in 2026 across multiple immigration categories. The breakdown is as follows:
- Canadian Experience Class: 34,250 ITAs
- French-language proficiency: 22,000 ITAs
- Healthcare and social services: 4,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 3,736 ITAs
- Trades: 3,000 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 ITAs
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 250 ITAs
These figures show that the majority of invitations have been allocated to candidates with Canadian experience or strong language skills.
What This Means for Applicants
The latest draw reinforces the importance of Canadian work experience in securing permanent residency through Express Entry. Candidates currently in Canada, particularly international graduates and temporary foreign workers, continue to benefit from lower CRS thresholds under the CEC category.
To improve their chances of receiving an ITA, applicants should consider:
- Enhancing language test scores (IELTS/CELPIP or TEF for French)
- Gaining additional Canadian work experience
- Exploring provincial nomination opportunities
- Keeping their Express Entry profiles updated
Outlook for Upcoming Draws
Given the current trend, Canada is expected to continue prioritizing in-Canada applicants and targeted categories in upcoming Express Entry draws. The consistent frequency of draws and high number of ITAs issued in 2026 indicate that immigration will remain a key driver of the country’s economic growth.
The latest Express Entry draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates highlights Canada’s ongoing commitment to selecting skilled workers who are already contributing to the domestic workforce. With a CRS cut-off of 514 and 2,000 invitations issued, the draw offers strong opportunities for eligible candidates seeking permanent residency.
As Express Entry draws continue throughout the year, candidates are encouraged to stay informed and actively improve their profiles to remain competitive in Canada’s dynamic immigration system.
Stay tuned to VisasTimes.com for the latest updates.