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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has invited 3,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

The August 5 draw required candidates to have a Comprehensive Ranking System score of at least 516. They also needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 9:35 p.m. UTC on July 3, 2026.

The round was the department’s 44th Express Entry draw of 2026 and followed a Provincial Nominee Program draw held one day earlier.

CEC candidates generally qualify through skilled work experience gained in Canada and must meet the program’s language and other eligibility requirements before receiving permanent residence approval.

Two Draws Held in Early August

On August 4, IRCC invited 507 Provincial Nominee Program candidates with a minimum CRS score of 768. The August 5 Canadian Experience Class round then issued another 3,000 invitations at a cutoff of 516.

The latest CEC score matched the cutoff used in draws on July 21 and June 23. IRCC invited 2,000 candidates on July 21 and 4,000 on June 23.

A July 7 CEC draw had a slightly higher cutoff of 517, while the May 27 round required 518. Earlier CEC cutoffs in 2026 ranged from 507 to 515, depending on the size and timing of each draw.

Canadian Experience Remains a Priority

IRCC has continued to place strong emphasis on candidates with Canadian work experience and those nominated by a province or territory.

So far in 2026, the department has held 13 Canadian Experience Class draws and 15 Provincial Nominee Program draws. It has also conducted eight French-language proficiency rounds.

Other selection activity included two draws each for physicians with Canadian work experience, healthcare and social services workers, and senior managers with Canadian work experience. IRCC also held one trades draw and one draw for Skilled Military Recruits.

The July 23 military recruitment round was particularly small, issuing four invitations with a minimum CRS score of 368.

More Than 108,000 Invitations Issued

IRCC has issued 108,123 invitations through Express Entry so far this year.

Canadian Experience Class candidates received the largest share, with 48,250 invitations. French-language proficiency draws accounted for 40,500 invitations.

Healthcare and social services rounds issued 8,000 invitations, while Provincial Nominee Program draws produced 6,957. The trades category accounted for 3,000 invitations.

Senior managers with Canadian work experience received 750 invitations. Draws for physicians with Canadian work experience issued 662, while Skilled Military Recruits received four.

Recent category-based rounds have sometimes used much lower CRS cutoffs than Canadian Experience Class or provincial nomination draws. A July 22 French-language proficiency draw invited 5,000 candidates with a score of 399. A July 10 senior managers' draw invited 500 candidates with a score of 392.

Candidates who receive an invitation must submit a complete permanent residence application within the deadline set by IRCC. Selection does not guarantee approval, as applicants must still meet program requirements and pass eligibility, medical, security and background checks.