Latest Express Entry Draw Invites 2,000 CEC Candidates

Introduction

Canada has issued another round of invitations through the Express Entry system. In the latest draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence.

Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518 to receive an invitation. They also needed to create their Express Entry profile before 8:48 p.m. UTC on February 13, 2026.

Who Received Invitations in the Latest Draw?

The latest Express Entry draw specifically targeted Canadian Experience Class candidates.

The CEC is designed for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.

This time, IRCC issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). To qualify for this particular draw, candidates needed to meet the required CRS score and profile creation deadline.

As a result, candidates with a CRS score of 518 or higher who met the other requirements could receive an invitation in this round.

What Happens After Receiving an ITA?

Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) means that a candidate can move forward with their permanent residence application.

However, an ITA does not automatically mean that the applicant will receive permanent residence. The candidate still needs to submit the required application and supporting documents within the applicable process.

Therefore, candidates should carefully review their information and make sure they can support the details in their Express Entry profile.

Canadian Workers May Also Qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit

There is also an important work permit option for some candidates already living in Canada.

Foreign nationals who live in Canada and have submitted a permanent residence application through Express Entry may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

A BOWP can help eligible applicants continue working in Canada while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence application.

Furthermore, if an applicant’s current work permit expires before IRCC finalizes their BOWP application, they may continue working under maintained status, provided they remain in Canada and meet the applicable conditions of their previous work permit.

Eligible family members may also qualify for an open work permit.

Canada Has Held 58 Express Entry Draws in 2026

With the September 29 round complete, Canada has now held 58 Express Entry draws in 2026.

The source shows that candidates with Canadian connections have remained a major focus of Express Entry selections this year, particularly provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience.

So far, the draws have included:

• 19 Provincial Nominee Program draws
• 17 Canadian Experience Class draws
• 10 French-Language Proficiency draws
• 3 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience draws
• 3 Healthcare and Social Services draws
• 3 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience draws
• 1 Trades draw
• 1 Transport draw
• 1 Skilled Military Recruits draw

How Many ITAs Has Canada Issued in 2026?

By this point in 2026, IRCC has issued 131,715 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry.

The ITAs have come through different draw categories. The source reports:

Draw Type	ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class	55,250
French-Language Proficiency	50,500
Healthcare and Social Services	11,500
Provincial Nominee Program	9,270
Trades	3,000
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience	1,000
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience	891
Transport	300
Skilled Military Recruits	4

What Does the Latest Draw Mean for Candidates?

The latest draw shows that IRCC continues to conduct Express Entry selections for candidates with Canadian work experience.

For CEC candidates, the latest round offered 2,000 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 518. At the same time, candidates should remember that Express Entry draws can vary in size, category, and CRS cut-off from one round to another.

Therefore, candidates should keep their Express Entry profiles accurate and updated while monitoring future invitation rounds.

Final Takeaway

Canada’s latest Express Entry draw issued 2,000 invitations to Canadian Experience Class candidates. Candidates needed a CRS score of at least 518 and had to meet the profile creation deadline for this draw.

Meanwhile, Canada has now completed 58 Express Entry draws in 2026, with more than 131,000 ITAs issued across different categories.

For candidates already working in Canada, Express Entry can also connect with work permit options such as the Bridging Open Work Permit, if they meet the relevant requirements.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).