IRCC INVITED 2,000 CEC CANDIDATES IN THE NEW EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW
The latest Canadian Experience Class draw had a CRS cut-off score of 514
On April 28, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held Express Entry draw #413, inviting 2,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates to apply for permanent residence.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score for this round was 514 points, one point lower than the previous CEC-targeted draw.
The tie-breaking rule for this round was September 24, 2025, at 14:18:43 UTC. This means that candidates with a CRS score of 514 needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before that date and time to receive an invitation.
As of April 26, 2026, there were 234,452 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool. So far in 2026, Canada has issued 67,627 Invitations to Apply across 25 Express Entry draws.
What Happened in This Draw?
This was a program-specific draw for candidates under the Canadian Experience Class.
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for candidates who have skilled work experience in Canada and meet the requirements under Express Entry. These draws are especially important for temporary residents, international graduates, and workers already contributing to the Canadian labour market.
In this round, the CRS cut-off score dropped slightly from the previous CEC draw, moving from 515 to 514. While the decrease is small, it shows that IRCC continues to invite CEC candidates consistently in 2026.
Why This Draw Matters
This draw confirms that Canadian work experience remains an important factor in Canada’s Express Entry strategy.
For candidates already living and working in Canada, CEC draws may represent a strong pathway to permanent residence. However, the cut-off score of 514 also shows that competition remains high.
Applicants with scores below the current cut-off should continue working on ways to strengthen their profile, such as improving language results, gaining additional skilled work experience, reviewing education credentials, or exploring Provincial Nominee Program options.
Who Should Pay Attention?
This update is especially relevant for:
Canadian Experience Class candidates
Temporary foreign workers in Canada
International graduates with Canadian work experience
Express Entry candidates with CRS scores near 514
Applicants waiting for future CEC draws
Candidates looking for ways to improve their CRS score
What Applicants Should Do Next
Candidates who received an Invitation to Apply should begin preparing their permanent residence application carefully. It is important to make sure that all work experience, language results, education details, and supporting documents match the information submitted in the Express Entry profile.
Candidates who did not receive an invitation should review their CRS score and identify areas for improvement. Even small changes in language scores, work experience, or provincial nomination eligibility can make a difference in future rounds.
Do you want to know if you qualify under the Canadian Experience Class?
At Global Opportunities, we help candidates understand how Express Entry draws affect their immigration strategy.
This latest CEC draw shows that candidates with Canadian work experience continue to have opportunities in 2026, but strong preparation is essential. If your CRS score is close to the current cut-off, this may be the right time to review your profile and plan your next steps.
Book a consultation with Global Opportunities and let our team review your CRS score, Canadian work experience, and best pathway toward permanent residence in Canada.