IRCC issued 1,000 ITAs for CEC category under the latest Express Entry draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian Experience Class candidates in the latest Express Entry draw. The latest draw is 48th Express Entry draw of 2026 with a total of 14 CEC draws conducted with 49,250 total invitations issued so far under the same category, which is the highest ever out of the total draw categories. This indicates Canada’s consistent efforts to sustain and retain already working professionals in Canada and issue them PR.
Strategic Overview of the latest draw
Eligibility Criteria to apply for the latest CEC draw
To apply for the latest CEC category under the latest Express Entry draw, candidate must follow these provisions in order to secure their application and avoid unnecessary delays:
To be considered for any Express Entry draw, individuals must have an active Express Entry profile submitted to IRCC in order to obtain an ITA.
Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of work experience in the Canadian job market to qualify under the CEC category.
Proficiency in the language is essential. It is necessary to achieve a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 523 for the most recent draw.
When several candidates have the same CRS score, IRCC grants invitations based on the tie-break rule, prioritizing those who submitted their Express Entry profiles first.
What does the latest draw imply for candidates with prior work experience?
The draw for the Canadian Experience Class category targets candidates who possess one year or more of work experience in Canada, indicating that IRCC intends to recruit more such professionals. This includes nominations specific to certain categories and occupations, which will address workforce shortages in high-demand sectors while allowing individuals to enjoy a balanced work-life and competitive salaries.
The ongoing emphasis on CEC candidates further indicates that Canada's long-term strategy is to retain skilled temporary workers who have shown they can adjust to the nation's labor market and workplace culture. With immigration levels still focused on economic needs, those with Canadian work experience are likely to maintain a favorable position for future Express Entry invitations.
Stay tuned with Izago Immigration Advisors for more immigration news and updates!
