Canada opened July with another targeted Express Entry invitation round, continuing its focus on applicants who have already gained skilled work experience within the country. The latest selection round reflects Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) ongoing strategy of prioritizing candidates who are already contributing to Canada’s labour market.
The newest invitation round targeted Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates and marks the second Express Entry draw held this week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) selection.
Also Read Canada Invites 2,000 CEC Candidates in First Express Entry Draw of July
July Begins with Another Express Entry Invitation Round
IRCC has issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates through the Canadian Experience Class category.
Candidates selected in this draw needed to meet the following requirements:
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 517
- Express Entry profile submitted before December 29, 2025, at 5:49 p.m. UTC under the tie-breaking rule
The latest draw demonstrates that candidates with recent Canadian work experience continue to receive strong attention under Canada’s immigration strategy.
Draw Summary
Express Entry Draw – Canadian Experience Class
- Draw Date: July 7, 2026
- Category: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Invitations Issued: 2,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 517
- Tie-Breaking Rule: December 29, 2025, at 5:49 p.m. UTC
Canadian Experience Class Remains a Major Immigration Route
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for individuals who have already worked in Canada in eligible skilled occupations. Because these applicants have demonstrated their ability to integrate into the Canadian labour market, they remain a significant source of permanent residents through Express Entry.
Throughout 2026, IRCC has consistently organized CEC-specific invitation rounds, allowing temporary foreign workers and eligible graduates with Canadian work experience to transition toward permanent residence.
Although CRS scores have remained relatively high, frequent CEC draws continue to create opportunities for candidates already living and working in Canada.
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Two Express Entry Draws Held Within Two Days
This week’s immigration activity included back-to-back Express Entry draws.
On July 6, IRCC invited Provincial Nominee Program candidates with significantly higher CRS scores because provincial nominations add 600 additional CRS points to an applicant’s profile.
Just one day later, the department shifted its attention to Canadian Experience Class candidates, resulting in a much larger invitation round with a considerably lower CRS requirement.
This alternating pattern between PNP and CEC draws has become a recurring feature of Express Entry selections during 2026.
Express Entry Activity Continues at a Steady Pace
Canada has now conducted 36 Express Entry draws since the beginning of 2026. The majority of invitations have been directed toward candidates who either:
- Have Canadian skilled work experience;
- Hold a provincial nomination; or
- Qualify under category-based selection streams such as French-language proficiency or occupations facing labour shortages.
This targeted approach allows Canada to respond more effectively to labour market demands while supporting economic immigration objectives.
Express Entry Draws Held in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off | ITAs Issued |
| 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 |
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Distribution of Express Entry Draws in 2026
The 36 invitation rounds conducted this year have been spread across several immigration categories.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 13 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 11 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 6 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Trades | 1 |
More Than 91,000 Invitations Issued This Year
IRCC has now invited 91,601 Express Entry candidates in 2026 through a combination of general and category-based selection rounds.
Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the largest share of invitations, followed by French-language applicants. Healthcare professionals, skilled trades workers, physicians, provincial nominees, and senior managers have also benefited from targeted invitation rounds.
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 43,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 30,500 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 5,939 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The latest CEC draw reinforces Canada’s continued emphasis on retaining skilled workers who already have Canadian employment experience. While CRS requirements remain competitive, regular invitation rounds provide ongoing opportunities for eligible candidates to secure permanent residence.
Applicants currently in the Express Entry pool should continue monitoring upcoming draws, maintain updated profiles, and explore additional ways to strengthen their CRS scores, including provincial nominations, improved language test results, or additional skilled work experience.
