Canada holds the second-largest CEC draw in history through Express Entry. The immigration department issued 8,000 ITAs for the same to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants. 

To be considered for the draw, applicants needed to have: 

  • A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511 
  • Created an Express Entry applicant profile before 3:59 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on June 10, 2025

Summary Of Express Entry Draws In 2026

As Canada holds the second-largest CEC draw in history, let us look at the summary of Express Entry draws in 2026. 

Draw DateDraw TypeCRS Cut-Off ScoreITAs Issued
January 7Canadian Experience Class5118,000
January 5Provincial Nominee Program711574

The recent draw was the second-largest CEC draw ever, surpassed only by a pandemic-era draw that invited over 27,000 applicants. In addition, this draw features a lower CRS cut-off score than was seen for any Express Entry draw in 2025. Before today, the lowest cut-off score for a CEC draw was 509, on September 19 2024.

This is also the second Express Entry selection of the year, and follows a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 5.

Moreover, IRCC has started this year by continuing to prioritize applicants in Canada, and those who have experience with the Canadian labour market, or who have been nominated by a province:

Draw TypeNumber Of Draws
Canadian Experience Class1
Provincial Nominee Program1

Despite being only into the first whole week of 2026, Canada’s immigration department has already issued more than 8,500 ITAs:

Draw TypeITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class8,000
Provincial Nominee Program574

January is typically a time marked by increased Express Entry activity, as IRCC looks to issue more invitations that can count towards its admissions (or landings) target through federal pathways for that year.

Due to lag times from ITA issuance to an immigrant landing in Canada (including application processing as well as wait times), admissions are generally anticipated at least 6 months after an ITA is issued.

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