IRCC has issued 2,000 invitations to apply for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. They needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 514 to be considered.
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Key Takeaways
Type of draw: Canadian Experience Class
Invitations issued: 2,000
Minimum CRS score: 514
Tie-breaking rule: September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC
Prediction for next draw: Category-based draw on April 29. Check our dedicated page for more information on when we expect the next Express Entry draw.
Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw
IRCC has issued 2,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in today’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 514.
This is the eighth CEC draw of 2026 and the second in April. It brings the total number of CEC ITAs issued this year to 34,250. For context, only 9,350 CEC ITAs were issued across all of January through April 2025.
2026 started aggressively, with IRCC issuing 8,000 ITAs in the first January draw for CEC candidates. Since then, draw sizes have pulled back. The last two draws came in at 2,250 and 2,000 ITAs respectively. Today’s draw continues that trend.
The CRS cut-off of 514 is consistent with other CEC draws we’ve seen so far in 2026. It is only one point below the highest cut-off this year (515 in the previous draw). The latest pool update (as of April 26) shows 13,860 candidates with a CRS score between 501 and 600. This is a slight increase over the 13,610 profiles that were in this range on April 12. The large number of candidates in that range also helps explain why cut-offs have stayed relatively stable.
The moderation in draw size is expected, given the volume already issued. There are currently 54,600 CEC applications waiting to be processed, with an average processing time of six months. For 2026, Canada’s federal high skilled admissions target is 109,000. This includes not just CEC, but also category-based draws. The total ITAs issued so far in 2026 (including 29,641 category-based ITAs) have already surpassed 58% of the target, with eight months remaining.
IRCC must balance inviting new candidates against its Express Entry admissions targets for the year, keeping applications already being processed in mind.
What Does This Mean for CEC Candidates?
If your CRS score is near or above the recent cut-off range of 507 to 515, you still have a good chance of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws. So far, CEC draws have been consistent, and we expect that trend to continue.
If your score is below the recent cut-off range, you may still be able to improve it by retaking language tests, adding second language results, or gaining additional experience.
You should also explore the possibility of getting a provincial nomination, as that adds 600 points to your CRS score and almost guarantees an ITA.
If you have an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, they can also boost your CRS score with better language scores or more Canadian work experience.
What’s Next for CEC?
CEC draw sizes are now smaller than they were at the beginning of the year. This is not surprising given the number of applications already in processing and the admissions target for 2026. We expect draws to remain small this quarter and then pick up during the second half of the year, possibly in the fourth quarter.
If you’re getting ready to enter the Express Entry pool, keep in mind that IRCC recently proposed significant restructuring of the Express Entry programs, including replacing the CEC, FSW, and FST programs with one unified federal high skilled immigration program.
IRCC’s proposal also specifies new minimum eligibility criteria for the unified program, which includes a CLB/NCLC 6 language proficiency threshold. This is a higher threshold than the one currently applicable to CEC candidates in NOC TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
This change could impact the eligibility to enter the Express Entry pool for some candidates who may currently qualify. This means if you’re a CEC candidate with a CLB/NCLC 5 language score, you may need to improve your language score to remain eligible to enter (or remain in) the pool and not just for a better CRS score.
However, IRCC is currently conducting stakeholder consultations on the proposed changes, and the final eligibility may be different. There is also no clear timeline on when the Express Entry changes will be implemented.
Further Resources for CEC Candidates
- Use our Canadian Experience Class score calculator to see where you stand and how to improve your score.
- Learn more about the latest Express Entry draws.
- Check the state of the Express Entry pool.
About the author
Sugandha Mahajan
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