Canada Holds Second-Largest Express Entry Draw of 2026
Canada has kicked off 2026 with a major move in its immigration system.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a large Express Entry draw on January 7, 2026.
In this round, IRCC issued 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to permanent residence candidates.
The draw focused on the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream, targeting skilled workers already in Canada.
The number of ITAs makes this the second-largest CEC Express Entry draw in history.
Only one previous pandemic-era selection issued more invitations at once.
Who Was Eligible in the Latest Draw
Candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 511.
They also had to create their Express Entry profile before June 10, 2025.
The CRS ranks applicants based on age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
A score of 511 reflects strong competition among skilled workers.
IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule for candidates with the same score.
It considers the date and time of profile submission to decide invitations.
Busy Start to 2026
The January 7 draw was the second Express Entry selection of the year.
On January 5, IRCC held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw issuing 574 ITAs.
The PNP draw required a higher CRS score of 711 due to the provincial nomination bonus.
PNP candidates receive 600 additional CRS points, improving their chances significantly.
Together, these two draws have issued over 8,500 ITAs in the first week of 2026.
This signals an active immigration strategy by IRCC to meet economic class targets.
Focus on Skilled Workers With Canadian Experience
The CEC draw emphasizes candidates already living and working in Canada.
It supports labour market integration and helps fill critical job gaps.
Temporary workers and international graduates benefit most from this stream.
Processing is generally faster than for applicants outside Canada.
Express Entry remains the primary system for economic-class immigration.
It manages permanent residence applications for skilled workers worldwide.
What This Means for Applicants
The large draw offers hope for many skilled immigrants in Canada.
Competition remains high, so candidates may need to improve CRS scores.
Language test improvements or provincial nominations can boost chances.
IRCC is expected to continue draws throughout 2026, targeting specific skilled streams.
