OTTAWA INVITED 2,000 CANDIDATES IN THE NEW CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW
IRCC Conducts New Selective Draw for Canadian Experience Class
On April 14, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its seventh Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of the year. In Round #410, the federal government issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates already integrated into the Canadian workforce. This draw continues Ottawa's 2026 strategy of prioritizing "in-land" talent—individuals who have already demonstrated their ability to contribute to the local economy.
Breakdown of Express Entry Draw #410
This round saw a notable increase in the competitive threshold compared to the previous CEC selection:
Draw Date: April 14, 2026.
Targeted Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Number of ITAs Issued: 2,000.
Minimum CRS Score: 515 points.
Score Trend: The cut-off rose by 6 points from the March 31 draw (509).
Tie-breaking Rule: June 10, 2025, at 02:46:26 UTC.
Year-to-Date (2026) Total: Canada has now issued 61,154 invitations across all Express Entry categories this year.
Stiff Competition and the 515-Point Peak
The jump to 515 points marks the highest CEC cut-off of 2026 so far. This upward trend is driven by a highly congested pool; as of April 12, there were 233,555 candidates registered, with a significant concentration of profiles in the 500+ range.
For our clients at Global Opportunities, the message is clear: High-quality profiles are the new standard. With the pool replenishing rapidly with postgraduate work-permit holders and skilled temporary workers, a score above 510 is no longer a guarantee but a baseline for general CEC rounds. To stay competitive, candidates should focus on "incremental gains"—such as improving language test results (IELTS/CELPIP) or securing a provincial nomination (PNP) to unlock an automatic 600-point boost.
Adapt Your Strategy for Q2 2026
As we move further into the second quarter, the frequency of draws remains high, but the "entry price" in terms of CRS points is rising.
Are you hovering just below the 515-point mark? At Global Opportunities, we specialize in identifying secondary pathways, such as French-language proficiency or Category-based selections (Healthcare, Trades, STEM), which often feature significantly lower cut-off scores. Contact us today for a comprehensive profile audit and ensure you don't get left behind in the most competitive pool in recent history!