Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Canadian Experience Class candidates through the Express Entry system on January 7, 2026. This marks the second-largest CEC draw in the country’s history.
The Canadian Experience Class targets temporary residents with skilled work experience in Canada. Successful candidates receiving ITAs take a critical step toward permanent residence. The draw comes after a year of high activity in Express Entry, which included several large rounds in 2025.
The only CEC draw that surpassed this one occurred in 2021, when IRCC issued over 27,000 ITAs in a single round, setting a historic record.
IRCC has not yet released the Comprehensive Ranking System score thresholds for this draw. In previous rounds, cut-off scores for CEC candidates varied, ranging from the low 500s to above 530 points.
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway, with the CEC category prioritizing candidates already contributing to the Canadian labour market. The scale of this draw underscores the government’s focus on retaining skilled workers to support economic growth and demographic goals.
Candidates who receive ITAs have 60 days to submit complete applications, with processing times aiming for decisions within six months. Observers see this draw as a strong start to Canada’s immigration agenda in 2026, reflecting ongoing efforts to align immigration with labour market needs and policy priorities.
