CANADA CONDUCTED A MAJOR CEC DRAW UNDER EXPRESS ENTRY
Express Entry Launches 2026 with "Mega-Draws" for CEC
The Canadian government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing individuals already contributing to the local economy. On January 21, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a massive new round of invitations exclusively for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. In this round, 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, solidifying a highly active start to the year for temporary workers and international graduates currently in the country.
Draw #392 Details and Selection Requirements
This round stands out due to a slight decrease in the required score, opening the door to permanent residency for a broader range of profiles:
CRS Cut-off Score: The minimum score was set at 509 points, a two-point decrease from the previous CEC-targeted draw.
Tie-Breaking Rule: The rule was applied to profiles submitted as of October 29, 2025 (04:35:24 UTC). This means candidates with 509 points only received an invitation if they created their profile before this timestamp.
Invitation Volume: With these 6,000 new invitations, IRCC aims to reduce the high concentration of candidates currently situated in the 500-point range.
2026 Express Entry System Overview
The system's dynamism in the first weeks of the year reflects a clear "domestic focus" strategy:
Cumulative Figures: So far in 2026, Canada has already issued a total of 15,255 invitations through the Express Entry system.
Pool Status: As of January 19, 2026, there were 237,120 profiles registered in the pool, explaining why cut-off scores are declining gradually despite the high volume of invitations.
Key Trend: To date, approximately 92% of the year's invitations have been directed toward CEC candidates, proving that Canadian work experience is, now more than ever, the number one factor for success.
A Golden Opportunity for Workers in Canada
The frequency and size of these CEC draws are excellent news for those with work permits nearing expiration. The drop in the score to 509 provides a clear path for thousands of professionals who previously viewed permanent residency as a distant goal due to the high thresholds of 2025.
Do you have over 500 points in your profile? You are in the "success zone." At Global Opportunities , we help you optimize every detail of your profile and prepare you to respond to your ITA flawlessly. Now is the time to secure your residency!