Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 2,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw under the Express Entry system.
The Express Entry draw took place on October 15, 2026.
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 519 to be considered. They also had to have created their Express Entry profile before 7:00:47 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on September 21, 2026.
Express Entry applicants already living in Canada may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) once they submit their permanent residence application.
Those whose current work permits are nearing expiry while waiting for a BOWP decision can often continue working under maintained status (sometimes called implied status), as long as they remain in Canada and meet the usual conditions of their previous permit. Eligible family members may also be able to obtain open work permits.
This selection round marked Canada’s 61st Express Entry draw of 2026. Throughout the year, IRCC has continued to prioritize candidates with existing ties to Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience.
By mid-October 2026, the department had conducted 18 Canadian Experience Class draws, issuing a total of 57,250 ITAs in this category.
Overall, IRCC had sent out 138,467 invitations across all Express Entry streams. Other major categories included French-language proficiency draws (55,500 ITAs across 11 rounds), Provincial Nominee Program selections (10,022 ITAs across 20 rounds), healthcare and social services (11,500 ITAs), trades (6,500 ITAs), and smaller numbers for physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers, transport, and skilled military recruits.
Recent activity around the same period included a French-language proficiency draw on October 16 that invited 5,000 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 435, a Provincial Nominee Program draw on October 13 that issued 752 ITAs at a CRS score of 772, and a trades draw on October 1 that invited 3,500 candidates with a cut-off of 476.
Earlier CEC rounds in September and August had cut-offs ranging from the mid-510s to the low 520s, with invitation volumes typically between 1,000 and 3,000.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the Canadian Experience Class pathway is designed for temporary residents who have gained skilled work experience in Canada.
Successful applicants who receive an ITA generally have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Processing times and outcomes depend on individual circumstances, document completeness, and IRCC’s overall workload.
