Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an Express Entry draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Eligible applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 516 and had to have created their Express Entry profile before 5:33 p.m. UTC on May 26, 2026.
This draw adds to a year in which IRCC has held a total of 40 Express Entry draws, with selections consistently leaning toward candidates with strong ties to Canada—especially those with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.
Year-to-date figures show IRCC has issued 99,612 ITAs across various draw types. The breakdown includes: Canadian Experience Class (48,250); French-language proficiency (45,500); Provincial Nominee Program (6,957); Healthcare and social services (8,000); Trades (3,000); Transport (300); Physicians with Canadian work experience (662); Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience (750); and Skilled Military Recruits (4).
Recipients of this ITA must submit a complete permanent-residence application within 60 days. With continued emphasis on Canadian experience and provincial nominations, applicants who have cultivated solid ties to the country remain well positioned in ongoing Express Entry rounds.
Maple News will continue to monitor Express Entry developments and policy changes to help prospective entrants understand how to align their profiles with IRCC’s evolving selection patterns.