Canada Invites 6,000 CEC Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
What Happened on February 17, 2026?
On February 17, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a special Express Entry draw under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.
6,000 candidates were invited to apply for Permanent Residence (PR).
The minimum CRS score required was 508 points.
In simple words, only candidates who had Canadian work experience and scored 508 or higher received an invitation.
Why Is IRCC Focusing on CEC?
Now let’s understand why this category is important.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is designed for people who:
- Already worked in Canada
- Understand Canadian workplace culture
- Have adapted to Canadian society
Therefore, IRCC prefers these candidates because they are already settled and contributing to the economy.
For example:
- International students who worked after graduation
- Temporary foreign workers already employed in Canada
As a result, CEC has become one of the most active categories in 2025 and 2026.
What Was the CRS Cut-Off?
The CRS cut-off score was 508 points, which shows the competition is still high.
However, when many candidates have the same score of 508, IRCC uses something called a tie-breaking rule.
For this draw, candidates with 508 points were invited only if they submitted their profile before March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC.
In simple words, if two people had 508 points, the one who created their profile earlier got invited.
How Has 2026 Been for CEC Draws?
So far, 2026 has shown a strong focus on CEC candidates.
For instance:
- In January 2026, IRCC invited 8,000 candidates with a cut-off of 511
- Later, another 6,000 candidates were invited with a cut-off of 509
Now, this February draw invited 6,000 candidates with a cut-off of 508.
Therefore, we can clearly see that draw sizes are large, CRS scores are slightly decreasing, and Canada is focusing on people already inside the country.
What Should You Do After Receiving ITA?
If someone received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), then they must act quickly.
They have 60 days to submit their complete PR application (e-APR).
They need to submit:
- Passport
- Language test results
- Employer reference letters
- T4s and pay slips
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical exam results
Moreover, IRCC aims to process 80 percent of applications within six months, provided all documents are correct.
Therefore, accuracy and complete documentation are extremely important.
What to Expect Next in 2026?
Looking at the trend, CEC draws are likely to continue throughout 2026.
Additionally, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028 aims to admit 380,000 permanent residents per year, with economic immigration being the largest category.
As a result, CEC draws should remain frequent, CRS scores may fluctuate, and temporary residents may continue getting priority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
However, many applicants make mistakes. Here are some common ones:
- Wrong NOC Code
Your job title does not matter. Your job duties must match the correct NOC code. - Claiming Ineligible Experience
Work experience gained during full-time studies, through self-employment, or unpaid internships does not count for CEC. - Inconsistent Documents
If dates, job titles, or salary details do not match across documents, IRCC may delay or refuse the file.
Therefore, always double-check everything before submission.
Final Summary
6,000 candidates were invited.
The CRS cut-off was 508.
CEC continues to be a priority pathway.
Processing time is around six months.
Proper documentation is essential.
Overall, this draw shows that Canada is strongly focusing on skilled workers who are already contributing to the country.
If your CRS is close to 508, this is the right time to improve your score and stay prepared for upcoming draws.
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).
