Canada continues to actively invite skilled workers through its Express Entry system, with the latest draw in April 2026 focusing on candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In this recent round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), reinforcing the country’s strategy of prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience.
Latest Draw Details
- Draw Date: April 28, 2026
- Draw Type: Canadian Experience Class
- Number of Invitations: 2,000
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 514
Express Entry Draws List 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| 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 |
Key Highlights of the Latest CEC Draw
The Express Entry draw held on April 28, 2026, targeted candidates who qualify under the Canadian Experience Class. This program is specifically designed for individuals who have already gained skilled work experience in Canada, making them strong candidates for permanent residency.
To be eligible for this draw, applicants were required to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 514
- Submission of an Express Entry profile before 2:18 p.m. UTC on September 24, 2025
The CRS score requirement remains competitive, but significantly lower than Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, making CEC one of the most accessible pathways for candidates already working in Canada.
What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
The Canadian Experience Class is a key immigration pathway under Express Entry that targets foreign nationals with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. This program is particularly beneficial for international students and temporary foreign workers who wish to transition to permanent residency.
CEC candidates are often preferred because they are already familiar with Canada’s labor market, culture, and work environment, allowing for smoother economic integration.
Express Entry Trends in 2026
The April 28 draw marks the ninth CEC-specific draw and the 24th overall Express Entry draw of 2026. This highlights the importance of Canadian work experience in the country’s immigration strategy.
So far this year, IRCC has consistently prioritized candidates who are already in Canada or have strong ties to the country. The majority of draws have focused on:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- French-language proficiency candidates
This trend indicates a shift toward selecting candidates who can immediately contribute to the economy.
Distribution of Express Entry Draws in 2026
An analysis of draw types conducted this year shows the following distribution:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 9 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 8 draws
- French-language proficiency: 4 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 1 draw
- Trades: 1 draw
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
The high number of CEC draws demonstrates Canada’s strong emphasis on retaining talent already present in the country.
Total Invitations Issued in 2026
As of now, Canada has issued a total of 67,627 ITAs in 2026, reflecting an aggressive immigration intake strategy. The breakdown across categories is as follows:
| Draw Type | Total Number of Invitations |
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-language proficiency | 22,000 |
| Healthcare & social services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 3,736 |
| Physicians with Canadian experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian experience | 250 |
The dominance of CEC draws clearly shows that Canada is prioritizing candidates with domestic work experience.
What This Means for Immigration Aspirants
The latest CEC draw sends a strong signal to individuals currently working or studying in Canada: gaining Canadian work experience significantly improves your chances of receiving an ITA.
For candidates in the Express Entry pool, the following strategies can help improve CRS scores:
- Gaining additional Canadian work experience
- Improving IELTS or CELPIP scores
- Learning French to qualify for language-specific draws
- Securing a provincial nomination for a major CRS boost
Candidates should also ensure that their profiles are accurate and updated regularly to remain competitive.
Canada’s Immigration Focus in 2026
Canada’s immigration system in 2026 reflects a targeted and strategic approach. By focusing on CEC candidates, the government is ensuring that newcomers are already well-integrated into the workforce.
This approach helps:
- Address immediate labor shortages
- Reduce settlement challenges for newcomers
- Strengthen long-term economic growth
At the same time, draws for French-speaking candidates highlight Canada’s commitment to promoting bilingualism and supporting Francophone communities.
The latest Express Entry draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates underscores Canada’s continued focus on selecting skilled workers who are already contributing to the economy. With frequent draws and a clear preference for in-country candidates, the Express Entry system remains one of the fastest and most reliable pathways to permanent residency.
For those planning to immigrate to Canada, staying informed, improving CRS scores, and gaining relevant work experience are essential steps toward success.
