Canada’s Express Entry system is showing clear signs of easing pressure for skilled workers already living and working in the country. A fresh Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has resulted in a noticeably lower CRS threshold, alongside one of the largest invitation rounds seen this year.
This latest development reinforces a growing trend in 2026: Canada is prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience and provincial ties over overseas applicants.
Also Read New Express Entry CEC Draw Lowers CRS Score as 6,000 ITAs Issued
Thousands of CEC Candidates Invited in Latest Selection
In the most recent Express Entry draw, IRCC invited 6,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was set at 509, reflecting a further decline compared to earlier draws.
Eligibility for this round was limited to candidates who:
- Qualified under the Canadian Experience Class
- Scored 509 points or higher in the CRS
- Submitted their Express Entry profile before 4:35 a.m. (UTC) on October 29, 2025
The draw represents a significant opportunity for temporary foreign workers and international graduates currently employed in Canada.
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Express Entry Activity So Far This Year
IRCC has moved quickly in the first month of 2026, holding multiple large draws across two immigration streams. The following table outlines all Express Entry selections conducted so far this year:
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| 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 January 21 draw marks the second CEC-focused round and the 4th Express Entry draw overall in 2026.
CEC Invitations Dominate Early 2026
One of the most striking patterns this year is the sheer volume of invitations issued to CEC candidates. Within just weeks, IRCC has already extended 14,000 invitations under the Canadian Experience Class alone.
These large-scale selections have begun reshaping the Express Entry candidate pool, gradually reducing competition at the upper CRS ranges. Notably, the CRS cut-offs in recent CEC draws are among the lowest recorded since late 2024, offering renewed hope to candidates who narrowly missed earlier thresholds.
IRCC’s Narrowed Focus on Domestic Talent
All Express Entry draws conducted in 2026 so far have targeted applicants who are already inside Canada. No all-program or overseas-focused draws have taken place this year.
The breakdown of draw types highlights this targeted approach:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Canadian Experience Class | 2 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2 |
This strategy suggests IRCC is prioritizing individuals who are already contributing to Canada’s labour market and regional economies.
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Total Invitations Issued This Year
Across both draw categories, IRCC has issued 15,255 Invitations to Apply in 2026 to date. The majority of these invitations have gone to candidates with Canadian work experience.
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 14,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,255 |
What This Trend Means Going Forward
The continued reduction in CRS cut-offs, paired with high invitation volumes, may indicate a more accessible Express Entry landscape for in-Canada applicants in the coming months. If IRCC maintains this pace, candidates with Canadian employment history could see improved odds of permanent residence without requiring exceptionally high CRS scores or additional points through nominations.
As Canada advances toward its annual immigration targets, Express Entry watchers will be closely monitoring whether IRCC expands draws to other categories or maintains its strong preference for domestic talent throughout 2026.
