Express Entry: Canada Invites 3,000 CEC Candidates in Latest Draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has held its first Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw in four weeks, inviting 3,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence.

The draw took place on May 27, 2026. It targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, a stream for people who have skilled work experience in Canada.

To receive an Invitation to Apply, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 518. They also needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 3:16 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time on April 30, 2026.

Highest CEC cut-off this year

The latest draw was the ninth Canadian Experience Class round held so far in 2026. It also had the highest score requirement of any CEC draw this year.

The previous CEC draw was held on April 28, when IRCC invited 2,000 candidates with a cut-off score of 514. Earlier CEC draws in 2026 had scores ranging from 507 to 511, with invitation numbers as high as 8,000 in January and 6,000 in February.

This latest result shows that competition remains strong for candidates applying through the Canadian Experience Class.

May sees three Express Entry draws

The May 27 draw was the 29th Express Entry selection round of 2026 and the third draw held in May.

Earlier in the month, IRCC held two Provincial Nominee Program draws. On May 11, the department issued 380 invitations with a cut-off score of 798. On May 25, it issued 334 invitations with a cut-off score of 805.

Together, these May draws show that IRCC continues to focus on candidates who already have ties to Canada, including those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience.

Canadian work experience remains a focus

So far in 2026, Provincial Nominee Program draws have been the most frequent, with 11 rounds. Canadian Experience Class draws follow with nine rounds. IRCC has also held five French-language proficiency draws, along with one draw each for physicians with Canadian work experience, healthcare and social services, senior managers with Canadian work experience, and trades.

However, Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the largest number of invitations this year. IRCC has issued 37,250 invitations through CEC draws in 2026.

French-language proficiency draws account for 26,000 invitations, while Provincial Nominee Program draws have issued 4,450. Healthcare and social services candidates have received 4,000 invitations, trades candidates have received 3,000, physicians with Canadian work experience have received 391, and senior managers with Canadian work experience have received 250.

Overall, IRCC has issued 75,341 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry in 2026.