Canada has just achieved a remarkable milestone by conducting its second-largest draw in history for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and it's making waves in the immigration community. On January 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued an impressive 8,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system, a significant boost for those seeking to establish their lives in Canada.
To qualify for this latest draw, candidates were required to meet specific criteria: they needed to possess a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511 and had to create an Express Entry candidate profile before 3:59 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on June 10, 2025. This draw represents not only a substantial number of ITAs but also a noteworthy CRS cut-off score, which is lower than any Express Entry draw in 2025. For context, the previous lowest cut-off score for a CEC draw was 509, recorded on September 19, 2024.
Here’s a snapshot of the Express Entry draws that have taken place so far in 2026:
| Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
|----------------|----------------------------------|--------------------|-------------|
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
This recent draw is the second-largest ever conducted for the Canadian Experience Class, second only to the colossal draw during the pandemic that invited over 27,000 candidates. Furthermore, this year's efforts demonstrate IRCC's ongoing commitment to prioritize individuals who are already in Canada or have relevant experience in the Canadian job market, as well as those nominated by provinces.
Already in the first week of 2026, IRCC has issued more than 8,500 ITAs, broken down as follows:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|----------------------------------|-------------|
| Canadian Experience Class | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 574 |
January typically sees a surge in Express Entry activities as IRCC aims to issue more invitations that contribute towards its annual admissions target. It’s important to keep in mind that there is often a delay from the issuance of an ITA to an immigrant actually landing in Canada, due to application processing times and wait periods—admissions usually occur at least six months after an ITA has been granted.
If you’re curious about how competitive your Express Entry profile is compared to others, check out this link here.
What are your thoughts on these recent immigration developments? Are you planning to apply through the Express Entry system? We invite you to share your insights or ask questions in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable.
