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Express Entry Draw #392 : IRCC Issues 6,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates for PR

New Express Entry CEC Draw Lowers CRS Score

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    New Express Entry CEC Draw Lowers CRS Score as 6,000 ITAs Issued

    Canada’s immigration system continues to open doors for in-country workers in early 2026, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts another major Express Entry draw under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

    The latest round saw a notable drop in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement, bringing renewed optimism to thousands of temporary residents aiming for permanent residence.

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    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    • Canadian Experience Class
    • Number of ITAs: 6,000
    • CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited: 509
    • Date and time of round: January 21, 2026 at 12:37:42 UTC
    • Tie-breaking rule: Tie-breaking rule: October 29, 2025 at 04:35:24 UTC
    • Total ITAs issued in 2026 so far: 15,255

    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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    Total Express Entry ITAs for 2026

    Across all Express Entry rounds conducted in 2026 to date, IRCC has issued a total of 15,255 ITAs. The majority of invitations have gone to CEC candidates:

    With this latest selection, IRCC has now completed four Express Entry draws in 2026, covering two different immigration categories. The year began with a strong emphasis on applicants who are either already living in Canada or who have been selected by provinces to meet local labour market needs.

    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 : 2 draw
    • CEC : 2 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) : 14,000
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 1,255
    • 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
    392 January 21 CEC 6,000 509
    391 January 20 PNP 681 746
    390 January 07 CEC 8,000 511
    389 January 05 PNP 574 711

    As of January 21, a total of 15,255 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2026. CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 509

    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.

    Record Number of CEC Invitations in January

    Within just a few weeks, IRCC has already issued 14,000 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates. The size of these draws has had a noticeable impact on the Express Entry pool, particularly by alleviating pressure on CRS scores for candidates with Canadian work experience.

    The CRS cut-offs seen in both CEC draws this year are among the lowest since September 2024, suggesting that IRCC is actively clearing high volumes of eligible in-Canada applicants from the system.

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    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

    Clear Shift Toward In-Canada Candidates

    All Express Entry draws held in 2026 so far have been limited to candidates who are already established in Canada. The department has focused exclusively on:

    • Provincial Nominee Program applicants,
    • Canadian Experience Class candidates with local work experience
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    What This Means for Express Entry Candidates

    For candidates in the Express Entry pool, these developments underline the growing importance of:
    • Provincial Nominee Programs
    • Canadian work experience
    • Building strong provincial or employer ties within Canada

    Applicants without provincial nominations may continue to see limited opportunities unless they qualify under targeted categories such as the Canadian Experience Class or future category-based draws.

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    What This Means for Express Entry Candidates

    The steady decline in CRS cut-offs, combined with high invitation numbers, signals a positive outlook for candidates with Canadian work experience. If this trend continues, professionals already working in Canada may see improved chances of receiving an ITA without relying on provincial nominations or exceptionally high CRS scores.
    As 2026 progresses, immigration observers will be closely watching whether IRCC expands draws to other Express Entry categories or continues prioritizing in-Canada applicants as part of its broader immigration objectives.

    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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