Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw. To be eligible, candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 518 and must have created an Express Entry profile before 3:16 p.m. UTC on April 30, 2026. This marks the first CEC Express Entry draw in four weeks.
This draw is the 29th Express Entry selection of 2026 and the ninth for Canadian Experience Class candidates this year.
IRCC has increasingly prioritized in‑Canada pathways this year, with a clear tilt toward provincial nominations and Canadian work experience. The trend suggests a focus on candidates already in Canada or linked to provincial programs as the system continues to manage overall demand.
Year-to-date ITAs by draw type total 37,250 for the Canadian Experience Class, 26,000 for French-language proficiency, 4,450 for Provincial Nominee Program, 4,000 for healthcare and social services, 3,000 for trades, 391 for physicians with Canadian work experience, and 250 for senior managers with Canadian work experience.
IRCC’s ongoing emphasis on domestic pathways supports regional labor needs and provincial nomination streams while maintaining a demand-driven approach tied to CRS cut-offs. Maple News will continue to monitor upcoming draws for shifts in policy or cut-offs.