Canada’s immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), issued 3,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw on May 27 2026. The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518 and only considered candidates who had created an Express Entry profile before 3:16 p.m. UTC on April 30 2026. This was the first CEC draw in four weeks and the highest CRS cut‑off for a CEC draw in 2026.
Recent Express Entry draw activity (2026)
| Date | Draw type | CRS cut‑off | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French‑Language proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French‑Language proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French‑Language proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French‑Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| Feb 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| Feb 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| Feb 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| Feb 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| Feb 6 | French‑Language proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| Feb 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| Jan 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| Jan 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| Jan 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| Jan 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Overall 2026 draw statistics (to date)
- Total ITAs issued: 75,341
- Breakdown by draw type:
- Canadian Experience Class – 37,250 ITAs
- French‑Language proficiency – 26,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program – 4,450 ITAs
- Healthcare and social services – 4,000 ITAs
- Trades – 3,000 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian work experience – 391 ITAs
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience – 250 ITAs
Key observations
- The May 27 CEC draw had the highest CRS threshold (518) among all CEC draws in 2026, indicating increasing competition for candidates with Canadian work experience.
- Provincial Nominee Program draws remain the most frequent, with 11 draws so far, but the CEC draws have collectively issued the largest number of ITAs.
- French‑Language proficiency draws have consistently offered the lowest CRS cut‑offs (around 400), reflecting targeted recruitment of French‑speaking candidates.
- Specialized draws for physicians and healthcare workers continue, though they represent a small share of total ITAs.
Candidates aiming for a CEC invitation should ensure their CRS score meets or exceeds the current 518 threshold and that their Express Entry profile is up to date before the specified deadline. Monitoring upcoming draw dates and CRS trends can help applicants gauge their chances and plan any necessary profile improvements.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
