IRCC has held another Express Entry round, this time inviting 2,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates to apply for permanent residence. The draw shows Canada’s continued focus on people with recent Canadian work experience, while also highlighting how CRS scores, profile timing, and work permit planning can affect an applicant’s next steps.
IRCC issues 2,000 invitations in latest Canadian Experience Class draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In this round, 2,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence were issued.
To receive an invitation, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 518. They also had to have created their Express Entry profile before 8:48 p.m. UTC on February 13, 2026. That timestamp matters because when many candidates have the same score, IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule based on the date and time the profile was submitted.
This latest round is another sign that Canada continues to prioritize applicants who already have strong ties to the country. CEC candidates usually have recent skilled work experience in Canada, and many are already living and working here on temporary status. For people trying to understand the Express Entry system in Canada, this pattern is important: Canadian work experience remains one of the strongest advantages in the pool.
CEC is one of the main federal programmes managed through Express Entry, alongside the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. If you want to better understand how points are awarded, the CRS points system for Express Entry is the key framework used to rank candidates.
What this draw says about Canada’s immigration priorities in 2026
With this round, Canada has now held 58 Express Entry draws in 2026. The overall picture is clear: IRCC has been selecting a mix of candidates, but people with Canadian work experience and provincial nominations have remained at the centre of many rounds.
So far this year, the largest share of draw activity has gone to Provincial Nominee Program candidates and Canadian Experience Class candidates. French-language draws have also remained a major part of the selection strategy. Smaller targeted rounds have included healthcare and social services workers, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport workers, trades candidates, and even a very small draw for skilled military recruits.
Why CEC candidates remain competitive
CEC candidates often perform well because they may already have several factors that increase their ranking. These can include Canadian skilled work experience, strong English or French test results, higher education, and in some cases additional points from a spouse’s profile or provincial interest. Many also improve their ranking over time by retaking language tests such as IELTS or CELPIP, or by updating education records and work history.
For many applicants, CEC can feel more accessible than other streams because proof of settlement funds is generally not required under this class if the candidate is eligible under CEC. Still, applicants must meet all other requirements and submit a complete application after receiving an invitation. Readers who want a broader view of current trends can review recent Express Entry draw results and compare how cut-off scores move from one round to the next.
CRS scores are still high
A cut-off score of 518 is competitive, even though it is slightly lower than some earlier CEC rounds this year. That means candidates should not assume that entering the pool alone will be enough. A strong profile matters more than ever. If your score is below recent cut-offs, it may help to look at ways to improve your CRS score, including better language results, more work experience, a valid job offer where applicable, or a provincial nomination.
Applicants who are unsure where they stand can also use a CRS calculator for Canadian immigration to estimate their points before making changes to their profile.
What invited candidates should do next
Receiving an invitation is a major step, but it is not the final one. After an ITA, candidates must submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence within the deadline set by IRCC. This is where many avoidable mistakes happen.
Prepare a complete permanent residence application
After receiving an invitation, applicants should carefully review document requirements and make sure all information in the profile matches the supporting evidence. This can include language test results, passports, police certificates, work reference letters, education records, and medical exams when required. If the applicant claimed education completed outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment may also be necessary, depending on the programme and how points were claimed.
Anyone moving forward after an invitation should understand the Express Entry invitation to apply process and the requirements for the electronic PR application under Express Entry. Accuracy is essential. Even small inconsistencies can create delays or concerns during processing.
Work permit holders may have another option while waiting
The draw is especially relevant for foreign nationals already living in Canada. Many CEC candidates are workers whose current status may expire before permanent residence is finalized. In some cases, a person who has submitted a permanent residence application through Express Entry may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
This type of permit can help eligible applicants continue working in Canada while IRCC processes their PR file. If their current work permit expires after they have applied for a new permit, they may also be able to keep working under maintained status, as long as they stay in Canada and continue to meet the conditions of their previous authorization.
Eligible family members may also qualify for an open work permit in some situations. For workers and families already established in Canada, this can provide important stability during the transition from temporary to permanent status.
What candidates outside the cut-off should consider now
Not everyone in the pool will receive an invitation right away, and that is normal. Express Entry is dynamic. Scores change, categories shift, and draw sizes vary throughout the year. For candidates who did not meet this round’s cut-off, the next step should be strategic rather than discouraging.
Review all available immigration pathways
Some applicants may still be stronger candidates under other federal or provincial streams. For example, a provincial nomination can add significant points and dramatically improve a profile’s ranking. Others may qualify through targeted pathways for French speakers, healthcare workers, or trades occupations. Outside Express Entry, some people may have options through the Provincial Nominee Program in Canada, the Atlantic Immigration Program, family sponsorship, or other permanent residence routes.
For those still comparing pathways, it can help to explore Canadian immigration programmes in a broader way rather than focusing on one draw alone.
Strengthen your profile before the next round
Improvement opportunities often include retaking IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF for a better language score, gaining more skilled work experience, securing a new credential, or correcting profile details that may have been undervalued. In some cases, a Canadian study pathway or a new work permit strategy can also support long-term permanent residence goals.
If you are not sure which changes would make the biggest difference, it may be wise to get a free immigration assessment before investing time and money into the wrong step.
Canadian immigration rules, programme criteria, and draw patterns can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current requirements directly with IRCC or speak with a licensed immigration professional before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, caring support at every stage of your journey toward a new life in Canada—if you are ready to move forward, you can book your free immigration assessment and receive a professional evaluation of your options.
