2,250 Candidates Invited in Latest CEC Express Entry Draw

Key Takeaways   

Type of draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)  

Invitations issued: 2,250

Minimum CRS score: 509

Tie-breaking rule:  March 18, 2026 at 08:27:11 UTC

Prediction for next draw: Category-based Selection on April 1. Check our dedicated page for more on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw. 

Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw 

This week, 2,250 candidates were invited in the sixth CEC draw of the year. The last CEC draw was on March 17 and invited 4,000 candidates with a minimum CRS of 507.  

This is also the ninth Express Entry draw of the month. There haven’t been this many draws in one month since July 2024.

Canadian Experience Class draws have been very similar to each other so far this year. The March 3 draw invited 4,000 candidates with a minimum of 508 CRS, and the draw before that on February 17 had the same CRS. 

The CRS for CEC draws is hovering around the same point because IRCC has a large pool of candidates within that score range. As of March 29, 11, 648 Express Entry profiles have CRS scores between 501 and 600. This is less than 14,031 profiles in that range on March 1, but still enough for IRCC to continue to draw from that score range for a little while longer.

CEC Draws in 2026

Today’s draw is the smallest CEC draw we’ve seen this year in terms of size. It’s not a surprise exactly if we look at past trends. 30,250 CEC candidates have been invited in the first three months of this year. That’s just shy of the total 33,850 CEC invitations issued throughout 2025.

Since IRCC has a total admissions target of 109,00 skilled workers (which includes all Express Entry programs, not just CEC) in 2026, and some of those admissions would be from ITAs issued in 2025, we can’t expect draw sizes to stay as large if IRCC wants to stay under target and continue to issue ITAs in other types of Express Entry draws.

More specifically, there are 44,000 Express Entry CEC applications waiting to be processed, and many of those will be admitted this year. This means IRCC can’t continue having large Express Entry draws if it plans to stay within its own admissions target.

While this one smaller draw might be a coincidence instead of the beginning of a trend, it will be interesting to see if we see smaller draws. If we do, we can expect number to pick up again later in the year when ITAs issued will count for admissions in 2027. 

So, CEC draws will likely get smaller throughout the year, and it’s possible we will see other draw types follow suit.

What Does this Mean for CEC Candidates?   

As always, the best thing a CEC candidate can do now is work to increase their CRS score and keep their profile updated.  Even if you are in the 501-600 range, more points are always an advantage.

The biggest CRS increase you can get comes from getting a provincial nomination. It adds 600 points to your overall score. Every province and territory (except Quebec and Nunavut) has a PNP with streams targeting candidates with specific education or in-demand work experience. If you are an Express Entry candidate already, there’s a decent chance you will be eligible for a PNP stream.  

You can also try retaking a language test to see if you can get a higher score. It could also be beneficial to try getting a score in a second official language (English or French).   

If you’ve maxed out your language tests, getting more education might be a good idea. Extra credentials add extra points.  

Finally, married or common-law candidates can consider adding their spouse or partner to their application if they are eligible for Express Entry. 

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.     
• Learn when to expect the next Express Entry draw.