Canada Invites 6,000 CEC Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

February 18, 2026
CIC News Update
Canada, Express Entry, Trending
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new round of invitations under the Express Entry system, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The February 17 draw is particularly noteworthy as it recorded the lowest CRS cut-off score for CEC applicants since 2024.

This latest round reflects Canada’s continued emphasis on transitioning temporary residents and skilled workers already in the country to permanent residence.

Also Read Canada Invites 6,000 CEC Candidates in Major Express Entry Draw

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Eligibility Criteria for the February 17 Draw

To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to:

Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 508; and
Have created their Express Entry profile before 9:35 a.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on March 16, 2025.

The tie-breaking rule ensured that candidates with identical CRS scores were ranked according to the date and time their profiles were submitted.

Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026

The February 17 selection marks the eighth Express Entry draw of the year and the third specifically targeting CEC candidates.

Below is a detailed summary of all Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2026:

Draw date	Draw Type	CRS cut-off score	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

The draw pattern shows a consistent rotation between CEC and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) rounds, with an additional category-based selection for French-speaking candidates earlier this month.

Distribution of Draw Types in 2026

So far this year, Express Entry invitations have been issued across three main categories:

Draw Type	Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program	4
Canadian Experience Class	3
French-Language proficiency	1

This distribution demonstrates a clear strategy to prioritize candidates with provincial nominations, Canadian work experience, or French-language ability.

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Total ITAs Issued in 2026

As of mid-February, IRCC has issued a total of 30,457 ITAs through Express Entry in 2026. The breakdown is as follows:

Draw type	ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class	20,000
French-Language proficiency	8,500
Provincial Nominee Program	1,534

Canadian Experience Class candidates account for the majority of invitations this year, underlining Canada’s focus on retaining skilled workers who already have domestic employment experience.

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What This Means for Candidates

The dip in CRS requirements for CEC applicants may offer renewed hope to candidates with strong Canadian work experience but slightly lower scores. It also indicates that maintaining an active and updated Express Entry profile is crucial, as draw timing and tie-breaking rules can significantly impact eligibility.

With consistent, large-scale draws continuing into February, candidates already in Canada may find 2026 to be a promising year for permanent residence opportunities.

As Express Entry rounds progress, prospective immigrants should closely monitor CRS trends, program-specific selections, and overall invitation volumes to assess their competitiveness and improve their chances of receiving an ITA.

lass, may find this year to be particularly favourable for securing permanent residence.

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