Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw focused exclusively on the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), marking its second CEC-specific round of 2026. The draw, held on January 21, 2026, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 509.
The substantial number of invitations underscores Canada’s continued emphasis on transitioning temporary residents who are already contributing to the labor force into permanent status. This approach aligns with the government’s 2026 immigration strategy, which aims to retain skilled workers already living and working in the country.
Candidates eligible under the CEC must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, gained within the last three years. Typically, these individuals are deemed more likely to integrate successfully into Canadian society, given their familiarity with the labor market, language proficiency, and cultural environment.
The draw, officially recognized as Express Entry draw #392, applied a tie-breaking rule based on a timestamp of October 29, 2025, at 04:35:24 UTC. This means that among candidates with the cutoff score of 509, only those who submitted their profiles before this date and time received an invitation.
The draw instructions were authorized by Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and are valid for a 24-hour period starting January 21, 2026. Candidates who received an ITA have 60 days from the invitation date to submit a complete application for permanent residence, including all supporting documents.
This major CEC-focused round reflects IRCC’s strategy to tackle labor shortages and accelerate permanent residency for individuals with Canadian work experience. It also signals a potential trend of larger and more targeted draws early in the year to meet annual immigration goals.
Express Entry remains Canada’s flagship immigration system for skilled workers, managing the intake for several programs including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. With this latest draw targeting only the CEC stream, the government is clearly prioritizing fast-track transitions for workers already successfully integrated into the economy.
Maple News will continue monitoring upcoming Express Entry rounds and provide updates as IRCC works toward its 2026 immigration targets.