In the latest Express Entry Draw, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) issued invitations under the Canadian Experience Class category, with a record-high CRS score, enabling eligible candidates to secure Canada permanent residency.
The latest CEC draw issued on April 14, 2026, with 2,000 ITAs and a record-high CRS score of 515, the highest recorded across all Express Entry draws in 2026. To be eligible under this latest Express Entry draw, candidates must have:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 515
- Created an Express Entry Profile before 2:46 a.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on June 10, 2025.
Express Entry Draws in 2026
With a total of 22 Express Entry draws issued thus far in 2026, the latest CEC draw marks the seventh draw under the Express Entry program. Below is the clear representation of Express Entry draws held in 2026:
Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Score | ITAs Issued |
April 14, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
April 13, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
April 2, 2026 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
March 31, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
March 30, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
March 18, 2026 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
March 17, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
March 16, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
March 5, 2026 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
March 4, 2026 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
March 3, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
March 2, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
February 20, 2026 | Healthcare and Social Services | 467 | 4,000 |
February 19, 2026 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 | 391 |
February 17, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
February 16, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
February 6, 2026 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
February 3, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
January 21, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
January 20, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
January 7, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
January 5, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
The last CEC draw, issued on March 31, 2026, issued a total of 2,250 ITAs with a CRS score of 509, reflecting a six-point increase from the last CEC draw but a decline in the number of invitations from 2,250 to 2,000. The latest CEC draw also remains the smallest CEC draw compared to the previous draws of the year. IRCC also presented a clear representation of how many ITAs were issued under each category, with a total number of draws.
Draw Type | Total ITAs Issued | Number of Draws |
Canadian Experience Class | 32,250 | 7 |
French Language Proficiency | 18,000 | 3 |
Healthcare and Social Services | 4,000 | 1 |
Provincial Nominee Program | 3,263 | 8 |
Trades | 3,000 | 1 |
Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 | 1 |
Senior Managers with Canadian work experience | 250 | 1 |
Thus far, a total of 61,154 ITAs have been issued across different categories under the Express Entry program. Comparatively, the Canadian Experience Class category ranks ahead in the total number of ITAs issued, with a record high number of invitations, i.e., 32,250, whereas the Provincial Nominee Program secures the maximum number of draws held in the year 2026.
What This Means for Prospective Immigrants
It has been observed that the increasing CRS scores over the past few draws highlight the increasing competition among candidates in the Express Entry pool, particularly for the Canadian Experience Class category. The increasing CRS scores underline Canada’s intention to attract skilled and qualified professionals with the added advantage of Canadian work experience. With increasing competition and fewer invitations, Canada’s focus is on attracting global international talent while strengthening the economy.
Take a Note: How To Increase CRS Scores?
As highlighted earlier, the Express Entry program is a dedicated pathway that enables skilled professionals to immigrate and become permanent residents of Canada. To be eligible under this pathway, applicants’ profiles are evaluated and must obtain a minimum CRS score set by the federal authorities. So, if you also aspire to immigrate, then having a higher CRS score can always be beneficial and here are some of the key takeaways through which candidates can increase their CRS points, such as:
- retaking language tests to achieve higher scores
- gaining additional skilled work experience
- applying under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- completing higher educational credentials
- securing a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
The latest Express Entry draw under the CEC category highlights a shift towards higher CRS scores and more selective invitations. With increasing competition in 2026, candidates must focus on strengthening their profiles to stay competitive in the upcoming draws.
Get all the Insights from Province Immigration
Well, if you are also a skilled professional who wishes to immigrate to Canada but has missed the latest Express Entry draw, then consult the Province Immigration. For more information regarding the latest Express Entry draws, call + 919896196762
