Canada has held its first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw of July 2026, issuing 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the latest Express Entry draw on July 7, 2026, continuing its focus on candidates with Canadian work experience.
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to have:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 517.
- An Express Entry profile created before 5:49 p.m. UTC on December 29, 2025.
Latest Draw Details
- Draw Date: July 7, 2026
- Draw Type: Canadian Experience Class
- Number of Invitations: 2,000
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 517
Express Entry Draws List 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French Language Proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
The latest draw reflects Canada’s ongoing efforts to prioritize skilled workers who have already gained valuable work experience in the country, making the Canadian Experience Class one of the strongest pathways to permanent residence.
Express Entry Trends in 2026
IRCC has now conducted 36 Express Entry draws in 2026, with the majority of invitations targeting candidates who are already contributing to Canada’s labour market.
This year’s invitation rounds have mainly focused on:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled Trades
The strategy highlights Canada’s continued preference for applicants who possess Canadian work experience, provincial nominations, or skills that address labour shortages.
More Than 91,000 Invitations Issued in 2026
So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 91,601 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry.
The breakdown includes:
- Canadian Experience Class: 43,250 ITAs
- French-Language Proficiency: 35,500 ITAs
- Healthcare and Social Services: 8,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 5,939 ITAs
- Trades: 3,000 ITAs
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 750 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 662 ITAs
What This Means for Applicants
The latest draw confirms that candidates with Canadian work experience continue to enjoy strong opportunities under Express Entry. Individuals already working in Canada should maintain an up-to-date Express Entry profile and explore ways to improve their CRS score, such as gaining additional work experience, improving language test results, or securing a provincial nomination.
As Canada continues to address labour market needs, further category-based and Canadian Experience Class draws are expected throughout the year.
Planning to apply for Canada PR through Express Entry? Oasis Visas can help you assess your eligibility, improve your CRS score, and guide you through every step of the immigration process.
