Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its fourth Express Entry draw of 2026 on January 21, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The draw reflects Canada’s continued focus on retaining skilled workers who are already employed within the country and contributing to its economy.
With a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score set at 509, the latest round marks a relatively accessible threshold for CEC candidates. The draw signals IRCC’s intent to prioritise candidates with proven Canadian work experience amid ongoing labour market demands and long-term immigration planning.
Details of the Express Entry Draw #392
Draw date: January 21, 2026
Stream: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Total ITAs issued: 6,000
Minimum CRS score required: 509
Tie-breaker rule: Profiles submitted before 4:35 a.m. UTC on October 29, 2025
This draw follows a series of large invitation rounds earlier in the month and represents one of the more favourable CRS thresholds for CEC candidates in recent years. The size of the draw and the lower cut-off together suggest a deliberate effort by IRCC to accelerate permanent residence pathways for in-Canada workers.
Overview and Purpose of the Draw
The Express Entry system manages applications for Canada’s main economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Through scheduled draws, IRCC selects top-ranked candidates from the pool based on CRS scores, which consider factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
This particular draw was held to specifically target Canadian Experience Class candidates. The CEC pathway is intended for individuals who have gained skilled work experience in Canada and have demonstrated their ability to integrate into the country’s workforce. By focusing on CEC applicants, IRCC supports a smoother transition from temporary residence to permanent status for workers already established in Canada.
Impact on Immigration and Why the CEC Matters
The January 21 draw is expected to have a meaningful impact on Canada’s immigration landscape, particularly for temporary foreign workers and international graduates seeking permanent residence.
Many CEC candidates are employed in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, technology, construction, and skilled trades.
The Canadian Experience Class serves several critical purposes within the immigration system:
It helps retain talent already contributing to the Canadian economy.
It reduces employer disruption by allowing skilled workers to remain long-term.
It supports faster economic integration due to prior Canadian work exposure.
It aligns immigration intake with real-time labour market needs.
By issuing a large number of ITAs at a lower CRS score, IRCC is reinforcing its strategy to stabilise the workforce and encourage skilled professionals to build their futures in Canada. The draw also complements Provincial Nominee Program rounds, which continue to address regional labour needs through targeted nominations.