Canada has continued its busy Express Entry schedule with another round of invitations targeting candidates who already have Canadian work experience. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, inviting 3,000 eligible candidates to apply for permanent residence.
The latest invitation round highlights Canada’s continued emphasis on retaining skilled workers who have already integrated into the country’s labour market. Canadian Experience Class applicants remain one of the largest groups receiving invitations under Express Entry in 2026.
Also Read Canada Invites 3,000 Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
Latest Express Entry Draw Results
The Express Entry draw held on August 5, 2026, focused exclusively on Canadian Experience Class candidates.
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates were required to meet the following criteria:
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score: 516
- Express Entry profile created before 9:35 p.m. UTC on July 3, 2026
This draw follows a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) selection held just one day earlier, showing that IRCC continues to conduct frequent invitation rounds across multiple immigration categories.
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Recent Express Entry Draw History
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off | ITAs Issued |
| 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 |
IRCC Has Already Conducted 44 Express Entry Draws in 2026
With this latest selection round, Canada has now held 44 Express Entry draws since the beginning of 2026. The invitation pattern demonstrates that IRCC is relying on a category-based strategy rather than conducting frequent all-program draws.
Candidates with Canadian work experience continue to receive the largest share of invitations, while French-speaking applicants and provincial nominees remain important priorities under Canada’s immigration strategy. Targeted rounds for healthcare professionals, physicians, senior managers, trades workers, and skilled military recruits have also contributed to a more diversified Express Entry system this year.
Breakdown of Express Entry Draws Held in 2026
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 15 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 13 |
| French-Language proficiency | 8 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Healthcare and social services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
More Than 108,000 Invitations Issued This Year
Canada has invited 108,123 Express Entry candidates during 2026, making it one of the busiest years for Express Entry invitations in recent history.
The majority of invitations have been issued to applicants under the Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency categories, reflecting Canada’s goal of selecting immigrants who can quickly contribute to the labour market and support bilingual communities.
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- Canada Express Entry Draw: 2,000 CEC Candidates Receive ITAs for PR
ITAs Issued by Draw Category in 2026
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 48,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 40,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,957 |
| Healthcare and social services | 8,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 662 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The latest CEC draw maintains the CRS cut-off at 516, the same score seen in several recent Canadian Experience Class rounds. This consistency suggests that competition among candidates with Canadian work experience remains strong, while IRCC continues inviting thousands of applicants through regular CEC selections.
Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool should continue monitoring upcoming draws, as IRCC has maintained a steady schedule of invitations throughout the year. Those with lower CRS scores may improve their chances by increasing language test results, gaining additional work experience, pursuing higher education, or securing a provincial nomination, which can significantly boost their CRS score.
Planning to Apply for Canada PR?
If you are considering Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, keeping your profile updated is essential. Even small improvements to your CRS score can increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply in future rounds.
Universal Adviser assists aspiring immigrants with CRS score assessments, Express Entry profile creation, eligibility evaluation, Provincial Nominee Program options, document preparation, and complete Canada PR application support. Expert guidance can help applicants identify the most suitable immigration pathway and strengthen their chances of receiving an ITA in upcoming Express Entry draws.
