IRCC Issues 6,000 Invitations in Surprise CEC Express Entry Draw
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In a surprise holiday draw, IRCC issued 6,000 ITAs to CEC candidates on February 17. This brings the 2026 total to 30,457 invitations across eight draws, including four PNP, three CEC, and one French-language proficiency draw. Read more for full details.
In a surprise Canadian immigration selection round on February 17, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made an unexpected move by issuing 6,000 ITAs in a draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates.
To be eligible for this draw, candidates must have:
- Scored a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 508
- Created their profiles before March 16, 2025, at 9:35 a.m. UTC.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
Here is the summary of all the Express Entry draws conducted in 2026:
|
Draw Date |
Draw Type |
CRS Cut-off |
ITAs Issued |
|
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 |
So far, IRCC has issued 30,457 ITAs, among which 4 Provincial Nominee Program draws, 3 CEC draws, and 1 French-language proficiency draw in 2026, issuing a total of 30,457 ITAs.
Also Read: British Columbia Holds First 2026 Skills Immigration Draw, Invites 429 Candidates
ITAs by Type
Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
Canadian Experience Class | 20,000 |
French-Language proficiency | 8,500 |
Provincial Nominee Program | 1,534 |
Also Read: Ontario PNP Announces 31% Increase in Nomination Allocation for 2026
As Express Entry Draws Nominations Increase, it’s Time to Move to Canada with GetGIS Assistance!
In 2026, Canada’s Express Entry draws are increasing with the intention to attract international talent. Understanding the draw types and eligibility criteria is key to maximizing your chances of receiving an ITA. With GetGIS, navigating Canada’s immigration process becomes simple, fast, and stress-free.
Also Read:
- Canada Invites 681 PNP Candidates to Apply For PR in the Latest Express Entry Draw
- Latest Canada Express Entry Draw Records Lowest CRS, Invites 6,000 Candidates to PR
- 5 Major Canada Immigration Changes That Took Effect From January 1, 2026
