Canada issues 8,000 ITAs in second-largest-ever CEC Express Entry draw

Vikrant Gungash
3 days ago
4 min read

By Vikrant Singh, January 07, 2026

IRCC invites thousands of in-Canada workers — CRS cut-off 511; tie-break uses UTC timestamp of June 10, 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a blockbuster Express Entry selection that issued 8,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — the second-largest single CEC draw in the program’s history. To be eligible in this round, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511 and to have created their Express Entry profile before 3:59 p.m. UTC on 10 June 2025, the timestamp IRCC used to break ties among equally ranked candidates.

The size of the draw — second only to a pandemic-era selection that issued more than 27,000 ITAs — underscores IRCC’s continued emphasis on candidates already working in Canada. It is also the second Express Entry selection of the calendar year, following a smaller Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-type draw earlier in January. So far in 2026 IRCC has issued 8,574 ITAs through Express Entry.

Why this draw matters

Several features make this announcement notable:

Scale and focus. An 8,000-ITA CEC draw is unusually large for recent years and signals a clear priority on transitioning temporary workers in Canada to permanent residence, consistent with IRCC’s stated policy direction.
High CRS threshold. A cut-off of 511 is relatively high, reflecting strong competition even among in-Canada candidates. That level suggests IRCC continues to give weight to skilled work experience, language ability and other CRS factors.
Tie-break clarity. By using the 3:59 p.m. UTC, 10 June 2025 timestamp as the tie-break cut-off, IRCC applied its usual fairness mechanism to determine which candidates with identical CRS scores received ITAs.

IRCC has signalled in recent planning documents that category-based draws — especially those prioritizing applicants already in the country — will remain a feature of Express Entry. The department’s Immigration Levels Plan also flagged growing ambitions for Francophone immigration outside Quebec and new targeted streams such as “Physicians with Canadian work experience.” Those priorities make it likely that we will see a mix of large category draws like this one, plus more targeted selections focused on French-speaking candidates or specific occupations.

Quick summary of recent Express Entry activity (2026)

Draw date	Draw type	CRS cut-off	ITAs issued
Jan 5, 2026	Provincial Nominee Program	711	574
[Most recent]	Canadian Experience Class	511	8,000

Total Express Entry ITAs issued in 2026 (so far): 8,574.

What this means for candidates

In-Canada work experience remains valuable. CEC draws target those who have already demonstrated they can work and settle in Canada. If you have Canadian experience, this draw is a reminder that you may benefit from continued in-country employment and improving CRS factors (language, education, arranged employment, provincial nomination).
CRS competition is fierce. A 511 cut-off shows that even in-Canada candidates are being placed under intense competition. Candidates who are near that score should consider ways to boost language test results, obtain job offers, or pursue provincial nomination pathways.
Pay attention to tie-break rules and profile timestamps. If you have the same CRS score as other candidates, the profile creation timestamp can determine invitation order. Keeping your profile up to date and complete remains essential.
Category draws can change strategy. With IRCC likely to run more category-based selections (Francophone, physicians, etc.), candidates should watch for draws that match their profile and consider tailoring their applications (for example, improving French language ability for Francophone draws).

Employers and provinces: continued opportunities

Large CEC draws are also encouraging for employers and provinces that rely on temporary skilled workers. Employers looking to support staff toward permanent residence can take steps such as facilitating language training, ensuring work experience aligns with recognized NOCs, or assisting with Provincial Nominee Program applications where appropriate.

Provinces and territories that are ramping up Francophone attraction efforts or creating new nomination streams for priority occupations stand to benefit from IRCC’s category-driven approach.

What to watch next

Analysts expect IRCC to continue a blend of:

Large category draws for in-Canada workers (like this CEC selection);
Targeted draws (e.g., Francophone candidates outside Quebec and the new physicians category); and
PNP draws and employer-driven nominations that complement Express Entry activity.

Candidates should monitor IRCC announcements closely, keep Express Entry profiles current, and consult a regulated immigration professional for advice tailored to individual circumstances.

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