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Express Entry Draw #390: IRCC Issued 8,000 ITAs in a draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Candidates for PR

Second-Largest CEC Draw in History Held by Canada

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    Canada Makes History with Second-Largest CEC Express Entry Draw

    Canada has begun 2026 with a powerful signal to skilled workers already inside the country. On January 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the second-largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw in history, issuing 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a single round.

    This landmark draw reinforces Canada’s ongoing focus on retaining international talent with Canadian work experience and marks one of the most significant Express Entry developments seen in recent years. It is also the second Express Entry draw of the year, following the PNP-specific draw on 5th January.

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    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    • Canadian Experience Class
    • Number of ITAs: 8,000
    • CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited: 511
    • Date and time of round: January 07, 2026 at 15:20:33 UTC
    • Tie-breaking rule: June 10, 2025 at 15:59:25 UTC
    • Total ITAs issued in 2026 so far: 8,574

    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

    Invitations to Apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program may be issued through this round of invitations.

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    A Historic Moment for Canadian Experience Class Candidates

    The January 7 draw stands out not only for its size but also for its competitiveness. With 8,000 ITAs issued, it is the largest CEC-specific draw since the pandemic-era selection, which invited over 27,000 candidates in 2021.
    For candidates in Canada, this draw represents a major opportunity and a strong indication that CEC candidates remain a top priority under the Express Entry system in 2026.

    Total Express Entry ITAs for 2026

    Following the latest draw, the total of ITAs issued under Express Entry for 2026 has come to 8,574.

    Collectively, the total depicts the continuous pattern towards Canada’s aggressive immigration targets and strategy to prioritize human capital and even labour market requirements for selected sectors.

    Category-Based Draws for 2026 up to Now

    Express Entry in 2026 has seen draws across several of its highest-priority streams. The breakdown of draws is below:

    The draws are now divided as follows:

    • PNP : 1 draw
    • CEC : 1 Draw
    • French-language skills : No Draws Yet
    • Healthcare and social services : No Draws Yet
    • Education: No Draws Yet
    • Trade Occupations : No Draws Yet

    When looking at total ITAs issued across streams, French-language draws and CEC rounds lead the pack, followed closely by healthcare and PNP streams.

    A Busy Period of ITAs for December 2026

    This is the 1st Express Entry draw of the month.

    • French language proficiency draw on December 17: 6,000 ITAs
    • CEC draw on December 16: 5,000 ITAs
    • PNP on December 15: 399 ITAs
    • Healthcare and Social Services draw on December 11: 1,000 ITAs
    • CEC draw on December 10: 6,000 ITAs
    • PNP draw on December 8: 1,123 ITAs

    With these rapid-fire invitation rounds, IRCC is closing out the year with one of the most active Express Entry periods in over the past 12 months.

    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026

    Below is a snapshot of all Express Entry draws conducted so far this year:
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : 8,000
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 574
    • French language proficiency: No Draws Yet
    • Healthcare and social services occupations : No Draws Yet
    • Education Professionals : No Draws Yet
    • Trade occupations (Version 2) : No Draws Yet
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    390 January 07 CEC 8,000 511
    389 January 05 PNP 574 711

    As of January 07, a total of 8,574 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2026.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Number of Express Entry Draws by Category This Year:

    The Provincial Nominee Program category of the Express Entry categories leads the trend with the highest number of 14 rounds, followed by the Canadian Experience Class with 8 rounds. Also, IRCC has conducted 3 rounds each for French-speaking candidates and healthcare professionals. A single draw was also held for individuals in the education sector.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 14
    Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 8
    French-language proficiency 4
    Healthcare and social services 3
    Education 1

    The trend since June 10, 2025, reveals a pattern of alternating draws between PNP and CEC categories roughly every two weeks. Additionally, healthcare-focused draws have taken place monthly since May, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to addressing sector-specific shortages in Canada’s healthcare system.

    Current Express Entry Trends and Category Breakdown

    With the latest draw, the healthcare and social services category now joins a growing list of specialized selection categories implemented this year. The distribution of draws in 2025 highlights a more nuanced approach to selecting candidates who meet Canada’s urgent labour and demographic needs.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program 7
    French-language proficiency 3
    Canadian Experience Class 3
    Education 1
    Healthcare and social services 1

    Strong Focus on In-Canada Candidates Continues

    Early 2026 draw patterns clearly indicate that IRCC is prioritising:
    • Candidates with Canadian work experience
    • Applicants already contributing to the Canadian labour market
    • Provincial nominees selected to meet regional workforce needs

    So far this year, 100% of Express Entry draws have targeted either CEC or PNP candidates, reinforcing Canada’s preference for applicants who can integrate quickly and support economic growth.

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    Why January Draws Matter in Canada’s Immigration Strategy

    Historically, January is one of the most active months for Express Entry invitations. This timing is strategic. Because permanent residence processing and landing can take six months or more after an ITA is issued, early-year draws help IRCC meet its annual immigration admissions targets efficiently.

    The strong start to 2026 suggests that more large-scale draws may follow, particularly for in-demand categories and experienced temporary residents.
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    What This Means for Express Entry Candidates in 2026

    The second-largest CEC draw in history sends a clear message:
    • Canadian work experience remains one of the strongest assets for PR
    • CRS scores may continue to trend downward for targeted programs
    • Candidates already in Canada should stay prepared and profile-ready
    With IRCC showing momentum early in the year, 2026 could shape up to be a high-opportunity year for Express Entry applicants, especially those under the Canadian Experience Class.
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    Final Takeaway

    The January 7, 2026, Canadian Experience Class draw will be remembered as a milestone in Canada’s immigration history. As the second-largest CEC draw ever, it highlights Canada’s commitment to retaining skilled talent already contributing to its economy, and sets a strong tone for Express Entry in 2026. Candidates watching from inside Canada, and those planning strategically, should take this as a signal: the window for permanent residence remains wide open for those who are prepared.

    Also check out Canada Immigration Plan 2025 to 2027 | Canada Immigration Levels Plan For 2024-2026 | Canada Immigration Level Plan for 2023-2025​

    Stay tuned for future updates on Express Entry draws and immigration news.

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