Sreejith
Canada Issues 8,000 Invitations in Major Canadian Experience Class Express Entry Draw
Canada has kicked off 2026 with a strong focus on candidates already contributing to its workforce. In the second Express Entry draw of the year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) specific draw, issuing a large number of invitations to candidates with recent Canadian work experience. This draw highlights IRCC’s continued commitment to retaining skilled temporary residents and supporting employers across Canada by transitioning workers into permanent residents. Express Entry Draw Results – January 7, 2026 Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)Number of Invitations Issued: 8,000CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 511Rank Required: 8,000 or aboveDate & Time of Round: January 07, 2026 at 15:20:33 UTCTie-Breaking Rule: June 10, 2025 at 15:59:25 UTC Under IRCC’s tie-breaking rule, candidates with a CRS score of 511 were invited only if they had submitted their Express Entry profile on or before June 10, 2025, at 15:59:25 UTC. Why This Canadian Experience Class Draw Is Important The Canadian Experience Class plays a critical role in Canada’s immigration system. It prioritizes candidates who already have skilled work experience in Canada, making them well-positioned for long-term economic integration. This draw supports Canada’s immigration objectives by helping to: With 8,000 ITAs issued, this draw represents one of the larger CEC rounds, offering renewed hope to candidates in the mid-500 CRS range. CRS Cut-Off Trends for Canadian Experience Class A CRS cut-off of 511 reflects IRCC’s willingness to lower thresholds when targeting candidates with proven Canadian work experience. CEC draws often show more flexibility compared to PNP-only rounds, as candidates do not rely on the 600-point provincial nomination boost. Express Entry Snapshot – Canadian Experience Class Draw Date Invitations Issued Minimum CRS Score January 7, 2026 8,000 511 This draw reinforces IRCC’s program-specific approach to Express Entry, balancing large-volume invitations with targeted selection to meet Canada’s evolving labour market needs. Final Thoughts The January 7, 2026 Canadian Experience Class draw is a strong start to the year for candidates with Canadian work experience. For many, this invitation marks the final step before becoming a Canadian permanent resident. 🎉 Congratulations to all 8,000 candidates who received an Invitation to Apply!Your Canadian experience has brought you one step closer to calling Canada home 🇨🇦