Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) surprised many observers on 23 January 2026 by inviting 6,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence—its largest CEC-only selection since the early-pandemic mega-draws. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off dropped to 509, extending invitations to a wider band of foreign workers and former international students already contributing to Canada’s labour market.
The draw is part of a rapid start to the year for Express Entry. IRCC has now conducted four rounds in three weeks, alternating between CEC-specific and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) selections. Officials say the strategy allows them to advance Ottawa’s goal of converting temporary residents to permanent immigration while still giving provinces flexibility to address regional shortages.
For employers, the large draw eases retention risks for high-skilled foreign talent holding temporary work permits that expire this year. Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) gain implied status and can continue working while their applications are processed—avoiding the expense and uncertainty of new Labour Market Impact Assessments or work-permit extensions.
![IRCC issues 6,000 invitations in latest Canadian Experience Class draw, CRS cut-off falls to 509]()
If you’re racing to assemble documents within IRCC’s tight timelines, VisaHQ can help streamline the process. Through its dedicated Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/), the service offers intuitive checklists, secure document upload, and real-time support for obtaining police certificates, translations, and other evidence required for Express Entry and related applications—saving valuable time as the 60-day ITA window ticks down.
Prospective applicants should move quickly: IRCC gives ITA recipients 60 days to submit complete electronic PR files, and new admissibility requirements (including the updated digital permanent-resident card process) apply. Immigration lawyers urge CEC candidates who narrowly missed the cut to consider language-test retakes, new educational credential assessments, or a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points and virtually guarantees an ITA in future rounds.
With Canada targeting 380,000 new permanent residents again this year and Express Entry slated to deliver roughly 60 % of economic-class admissions, the 23 January draw signals that high volumes—and shifting program priorities—will define the 2026 intake cycle.
The draw is part of a rapid start to the year for Express Entry. IRCC has now conducted four rounds in three weeks, alternating between CEC-specific and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) selections. Officials say the strategy allows them to advance Ottawa’s goal of converting temporary residents to permanent immigration while still giving provinces flexibility to address regional shortages.
For employers, the large draw eases retention risks for high-skilled foreign talent holding temporary work permits that expire this year. Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) gain implied status and can continue working while their applications are processed—avoiding the expense and uncertainty of new Labour Market Impact Assessments or work-permit extensions.
If you’re racing to assemble documents within IRCC’s tight timelines, VisaHQ can help streamline the process. Through its dedicated Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/), the service offers intuitive checklists, secure document upload, and real-time support for obtaining police certificates, translations, and other evidence required for Express Entry and related applications—saving valuable time as the 60-day ITA window ticks down.
Prospective applicants should move quickly: IRCC gives ITA recipients 60 days to submit complete electronic PR files, and new admissibility requirements (including the updated digital permanent-resident card process) apply. Immigration lawyers urge CEC candidates who narrowly missed the cut to consider language-test retakes, new educational credential assessments, or a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points and virtually guarantees an ITA in future rounds.
With Canada targeting 380,000 new permanent residents again this year and Express Entry slated to deliver roughly 60 % of economic-class admissions, the 23 January draw signals that high volumes—and shifting program priorities—will define the 2026 intake cycle.
