Canada has held its second Express Entry draw of 2026, continuing early-year momentum in issuing invitations for permanent residence. The latest round targeted candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), marking one of the largest CEC draws in recent years. This draw reflects Canada’s continued focus on retaining skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience.
Latest Express Entry Draw Overview
| Category | Details |
| Draw Date | January 7, 2026 |
| Immigration Program | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Invitations Issued | 8,000 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 511 |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | Profiles created before June 10, 2025 |
Candidates who met the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and created their Express Entry profiles before the specified cut-off date were eligible to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Earlier Draw This Year
Just two days earlier, Immigration authorities conducted another Express Entry draw under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
| Category | Details |
| Draw Date | January 5, 2026 |
| Immigration Program | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Invitations Issued | 574 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 711 |
PNP draws typically have higher CRS cut-off scores because candidates receive an additional 600 points through provincial nomination.
Why This Draw Is Significant
The issuance of 8,000 invitations in a single CEC draw makes it one of the largest draws for this category outside of exceptional pandemic-era rounds. The CRS cut-off of 511 points is also comparatively moderate, offering opportunities to many candidates with strong Canadian work experience but without provincial nominations.
This approach highlights Canada’s ongoing strategy to prioritize individuals who are already contributing to the Canadian labor market. Canadian Experience Class applicants generally integrate faster due to familiarity with the country’s work environment, culture, and language requirements.
Express Entry Activity in 2026 So Far
| Program Type | Number of Draws | Total ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 1 | 8,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1 | 574 |
| Total | 2 | 8,574 |
Within the first week of the year, Canada has already issued over 8,500 invitations, indicating a strong start to the 2026 immigration cycle.
What This Means for Applicants
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Candidates with Canadian work experience are currently being prioritized.
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Provincial nominations remain a powerful pathway due to the significant CRS score boost.
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Early-year draws often signal higher overall invitation volumes as Canada works toward its annual immigration targets.
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Applicants with CRS scores close to recent cut-offs should keep profiles updated and ensure documents are ready.
Conclusion
Canada’s second Express Entry draw of 2026 reinforces the country’s commitment to welcoming skilled workers, particularly those with proven experience in Canada. With large-scale draws already underway, candidates can expect continued activity in the Express Entry system in the months ahead.
