Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In this latest round, 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates already working and gaining skilled experience in Canada.
This was the eighth CEC-specific draw of 2026 and the twenty-fifth Express Entry draw overall this year. Compared to the previous CEC round, the number of invitations remained the same, while the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score dropped slightly by one point.
With this round, the total number of invitations issued through CEC draws in 2026 has now reached 34,250, showing Canada’s continued focus on retaining skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
What Happened in the Latest CEC Draw?
The latest draw took place on April 28, 2026, and invited 2,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class pool. The minimum CRS score required to receive an invitation was 514.
Candidates with the same CRS score were ranked based on the tie-breaking rule, which was set for September 24, 2025, at 14:18:43 UTC. This means candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before that exact date and time were given priority.
Although the CRS score only dropped by one point compared to the previous round, it still signals consistency in IRCC’s approach toward CEC applicants this year.
Latest Express Entry Draw Results
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Round | April 28, 2026 |
| Type of Draw | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Number of ITAs Issued | 2,000 |
| CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited | 514 |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | September 24, 2025, at 14:18:43 UTC |
How Has CEC Performed in 2026 So Far?
Canada has now held eight Canadian Experience Class draws in 2026. These rounds have issued a combined total of 34,250 invitations, reflecting strong demand for candidates who already have Canadian work experience.
The year began with larger rounds in January, where as many as 8,000 invitations were issued in a single draw. Since then, the number of invitations has become more controlled, while CRS scores have remained relatively stable within a competitive range.
This pattern suggests that IRCC continues to prioritize candidates who are already contributing to the Canadian labour market.
CEC Draw Summary for 2026
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2026 | 2,000 | 514 |
| April 14, 2026 | 2,000 | 515 |
| March 31, 2026 | 2,250 | 509 |
| March 17, 2026 | 4,000 | 507 |
| March 03, 2026 | 4,000 | 508 |
| February 17, 2026 | 6,000 | 508 |
| January 21, 2026 | 6,000 | 509 |
| January 07, 2026 | 8,000 | 511 |
What Does the 2026 Express Entry Breakdown Show?
Beyond CEC draws, IRCC has also conducted selections for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, French-language proficiency applicants, healthcare workers, trades professionals, and specific categories such as physicians and senior managers.
Among all categories, Canadian Experience Class remains the largest contributor so far in 2026, followed by French-language proficiency draws. This highlights Canada’s focus on selecting candidates who can quickly integrate into the labour market and support long-term economic growth.
Express Entry Draw 2026 Breakdown
| Types of Draw | Number of ITAs |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 3,736 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 22,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 391 |
| Healthcare and Social Services Occupations | 4,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
| Trades Occupations | 3,000 |
| Total | 67,627 |
Who Is Eligible for the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers who already have professional work experience in Canada and want to transition to permanent residence.
To qualify, applicants must have completed at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years before applying. This experience can be full-time or an equivalent amount of part-time work and must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
Applicants must also meet the required language standards in English or French based on the skill level of their occupation. Since Quebec manages its own immigration programs, candidates applying through CEC must intend to live outside Quebec.
Unlike some other immigration pathways, proof of settlement funds is not required under the Canadian Experience Class. However, candidates must first create a valid Express Entry profile and enter the pool, where they are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Those with strong profiles and competitive scores may then receive an Invitation to Apply during future CEC-specific draws.
What Does This Mean for Future Applicants?
This latest draw confirms that CEC remains one of the strongest pathways for temporary residents already working in Canada. Even with CRS scores staying high, regular invitations provide strong opportunities for eligible candidates.
For those planning to apply, improving language scores, gaining additional skilled work experience, and ensuring profile accuracy can make a major difference in CRS ranking.
As IRCC continues to focus on experienced workers already inside Canada, CEC candidates remain in a strong position for permanent residence opportunities throughout 2026.
