Canada Holds Second-Largest CEC Draw Ever, Invites 8000 Candidates

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first draw of 2026, issuing 8,000 invitations to apply for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It was the second-largest single CEC draw in the program’s history, following a smaller Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-type draw earlier in January. So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 8,574 ITAs through Express Entry. 

Also Read: Canada Invites 574 PNP Candidates in 1st Express Entry Draw of 2026

Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Experience Class Draw 

To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class latest draw, candidates needed:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511
• Candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profile before the tie-breaking rule timestamp of June 10, 2025, at 3:59 p.m. UTC

Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026 

What’s Next in the Canada Express Entry Draws? 

Analysts predicted that IRCC may take the following steps ahead: 

• IRCC will maintain a mix of large-scale draws for in-Canada workers, such as CEC rounds 
• Targeted selections for groups like Francophone candidates outside Quebec and new physician categories, plus PNP and employer nominations supporting Express Entry.

Also Read: Express Entry Status Check & What Different Statuses Mean

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