Canada has Conducted another Canadian Experience Class (CEC) selection round, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system on October 15, 2026. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 519 to receive an invitation in this round.
The latest draw continues Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) focus on applicants with Canadian work experience. Alongside CEC selections, the department has also conducted draws for provincial nominees, French-speaking candidates and professionals working in specific occupations throughout 2026.
Also Read Canada Invites 2,500 Candidates in New Express Entry Draw for CEC
October 15 Express Entry Draw: Key Details
The latest selection round provides another opportunity for eligible skilled workers already connected to Canada’s labour market to pursue permanent residence.
| Draw Detail | Information |
| Draw Date | October 15, 2026 |
| Draw Category | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Invitations Issued | 2,500 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 519 |
| Profile Submission Deadline | September 21, 2026, at 7:00:47 p.m. UTC |
| Immigration Authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
To qualify for an invitation, candidates had to meet the minimum CRS threshold and create their Express Entry profiles before the specified tie-breaking date and time. Candidates with scores below 519 did not meet the cut-off for this particular round.
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Canada Express Entry Draw History: October 2026
The latest CEC round follows a series of selections across several Express Entry categories. The table below outlines the recent draws and earlier rounds conducted during 2026.
| Date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| October 15 | Canadian Experience Class | 519 | 2,500 |
| October 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 772 | 752 |
| October 1 | Trades | 476 | 3,500 |
| September 29 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 2,000 |
| September 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 733 |
| September 16 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 389 | 250 |
| September 15 | Canadian Experience Class | 519 | 2,000 |
| September 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 734 | 576 |
| September 4 | Healthcare and social services | 475 | 3,500 |
| September 3 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 198 | 229 |
| September 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 521 | 2,000 |
| August 31 | Provincial Nominee Program | 697 | 562 |
| August 19 | French-Language proficiency | 382 | 5,000 |
| August 18 | Canadian Experience Class | 523 | 1,000 |
| August 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 760 | 442 |
| August 7 | Transport | 470 | 300 |
| August 6 | French-Language proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 768 | 507 |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French-Language proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French-Language proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and social services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French-Language proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French-Language proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| 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 |
Which Express Entry Categories Have Received the Most Draws?
The October 15 selection was the 61st Express Entry draw of 2026, according to the supplied draw record. CEC and Provincial Nominee Program candidates have been the main focus of repeated selection rounds, while French-language proficiency has also accounted for a substantial share of invitations.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 20 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 18 |
| French-Language proficiency | 10 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 3 |
| Healthcare and social services | 3 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 3 |
| Trades | 2 |
| Transport | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
The distribution highlights IRCC’s use of multiple selection categories rather than relying exclusively on general, all-program draws. Provincial nominations and Canadian work experience have remained important pathways, while targeted rounds have provided opportunities for candidates with French-language skills and experience in selected occupations.
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- Canada Issues 2,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates in New Express Entry Draw
- Canada Issues 733 Express Entry ITAs to Provincial Nominees in Latest Draw
Express Entry Invitations Issued in 2026
According to the supplied figures, IRCC has issued 138,467 ITAs through Express Entry so far in 2026. CEC and French-language draws account for the largest individual totals, followed by healthcare and social services and the Provincial Nominee Program.
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 57,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 50,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 10,022 |
| Healthcare and social services | 11,500 |
| Trades | 6,500 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 891 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1,000 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
These figures illustrate the range of candidates being selected through Canada’s economic immigration system. For applicants, the relevant draw category is just as important as the overall number of invitations issued, since each round has its own eligibility requirements and selection criteria.
Conclusion
Candidates already in the Express Entry pool should keep their profiles accurate and monitor upcoming draw announcements. Those with Canadian work experience should check their eligibility under the CEC, while applicants with provincial nominations may have another route through PNP-specific selections.
Candidates outside Canada can also explore eligible Express Entry programs, assess their language proficiency and educational credentials, and determine whether their work experience meets the relevant requirements. Improving language test scores or gaining additional eligible qualifications may strengthen a profile, although no change guarantees an invitation.
For candidates who receive an ITA, the next priority is preparing a complete permanent residence application within the deadline stated in their invitation. Documents supporting work experience, education, language results, identity, and other eligibility requirements should be checked carefully before submission.
