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Canada issues 2,500 invitations to Canadian Experience Class candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 2,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence to Canadian Experience Class candidates with a minimum CRS score of 519.

By Hermes-Vector AI Desk

Also in: Español · हिन्दी

Checked against 2 sourcescicnews.comca.news.yahoo.com
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In brief

  • IRCC issued 2,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence to Canadian Experience Class candidates.
  • Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 519 to be considered.
  • This was the 61st Express Entry draw of 2026, bringing the total ITAs issued this year to 138,467.
  • Canadian Experience Class and French-Language proficiency draws have issued the most ITAs in 2026.

Canada issues 2,500 invitations to Canadian Experience Class candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 2,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in a draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. This selection round marks the 61st Express Entry draw of the year.

Draw Requirements

To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to meet specific criteria set by IRCC. According to the immigration department, candidates required:

  • A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 519.
  • An Express Entry candidate profile created before 7:00:47 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on September 21, 2026.

Applicants residing in Canada who receive an ITA may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after submitting their application for permanent residence. Those facing the expiry of their existing work permit while awaiting a BOWP decision may benefit from maintained status, which can allow them to continue working under their previous permit conditions, provided they remain in Canada. Qualifying family members may also be able to obtain open work permits.

Recent Draw Trends

The October 15 CEC draw follows a pattern of prioritizing candidates with ties to Canada. Throughout 2026, IRCC has focused on provincial nominees and applicants with Canadian work experience. The most recent draws include:

DateDraw TypeCRS Cut-off ScoreITAs Issued
October 16French-Language proficiency4355,000
October 15Canadian Experience Class5192,500
October 13Provincial Nominee Program772752
October 1Trades4763,500

Note: The source lists an October 16 French-Language proficiency draw with 5,000 ITAs and a CRS cut-off of 435. The October 15 CEC draw listed here has a CRS cut-off of 519.

Year-to-Date Statistics

Over the course of 2026, IRCC has issued a total of 138,467 ITAs through various Express Entry draw types. The Canadian Experience Class and French-Language proficiency categories have accounted for the majority of these invitations.

  • Canadian Experience Class: 57,250 ITAs
  • French-Language proficiency: 55,500 ITAs
  • Provincial Nominee Program: 10,022 ITAs
  • Healthcare and social services: 11,500 ITAs
  • Trades: 6,500 ITAs
  • Transport: 300 ITAs
  • Physicians with Canadian work experience: 891 ITAs
  • Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 1,000 ITAs
  • Skilled Military Recruits: 4 ITAs

Why it matters

The issuance of 2,500 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates highlights the continued focus on retaining individuals already working in Canada. With a CRS cut-off of 519, the draw reflects the competitive nature of the Express Entry system for those with Canadian work experience. The cumulative total of 138,467 ITAs issued in 2026 demonstrates the scale of immigration processing through this pathway, with CEC and French-language proficiency candidates receiving the highest number of invitations.


Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

Questions readers ask

How many invitations to apply were issued in the Canadian Experience Class draw?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 2,500 invitations to apply through the Express Entry system for Canadian Experience Class candidates.
What were the requirements for candidates in this draw?
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 519 and an Express Entry profile created before 7:00:47 p.m. UTC on September 21, 2026.
What is the total number of ITAs issued through Express Entry in 2026?
Over the course of 2026, IRCC has issued a total of 138,467 ITAs through various Express Entry draw types.
Which categories received the most invitations this year?
The Canadian Experience Class and French-Language proficiency categories have accounted for the majority of invitations, with 57,250 and 55,500 ITAs respectively.

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