On 16 April 2026 IRCC released results of Express Entry draw #410, a Canadian-Experience Class (CEC)–only round that sent 2,000 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence to workers already living in Canada.
![Express Entry: Canada invites 2,000 Canadian-Experience Class candidates at record-high 515 CRS]()
For individuals and corporate mobility teams looking for tailored guidance on Express Entry strategies, VisaHQ offers end-to-end support—from CRS score optimisation to document preparation—and you can explore our Canada services at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score jumped to 515—six points higher than the previous CEC draw on 31 March and the highest cutoff of 2026 so far. The spike reflects a crowded talent pool: IRCC’s published data show 233,555 active Express Entry profiles as of 12 April, with a growing cluster above the 500-point threshold . Post-graduate work-permit holders whose permits were extended during the pandemic and skilled temporary foreign workers transitioning to PR are fuelling competition. The government’s strategy this year is to favour "in-land" candidates who have already integrated into the labour market, a stance welcomed by employers but challenging for overseas applicants. For corporate mobility programs, the higher cutoff means that assignees may need additional points to qualify—most commonly by obtaining a provincial nomination worth 600 CRS points or by raising language scores. French-language draws and occupation-specific invitations (health, STEM, trades) continue to run in parallel and may offer lower thresholds. Applicants who received an ITA have 60 days to upload full documentation; failure to do so invalidates the invitation. Mobility managers should remind candidates to gather police certificates and up-to-date employment letters early, as processing times remain close to the six-month service standard. Firms should also budget for the new biometrics validity fee that came into force on 1 April 2026. Looking ahead, most practitioners expect CEC cut-offs to stay above 500 unless IRCC increases draw sizes. Companies relying on internal transfers may therefore prioritise employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permits to keep staff on payroll while they wait for the next draw.
For individuals and corporate mobility teams looking for tailored guidance on Express Entry strategies, VisaHQ offers end-to-end support—from CRS score optimisation to document preparation—and you can explore our Canada services at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score jumped to 515—six points higher than the previous CEC draw on 31 March and the highest cutoff of 2026 so far. The spike reflects a crowded talent pool: IRCC’s published data show 233,555 active Express Entry profiles as of 12 April, with a growing cluster above the 500-point threshold . Post-graduate work-permit holders whose permits were extended during the pandemic and skilled temporary foreign workers transitioning to PR are fuelling competition. The government’s strategy this year is to favour "in-land" candidates who have already integrated into the labour market, a stance welcomed by employers but challenging for overseas applicants. For corporate mobility programs, the higher cutoff means that assignees may need additional points to qualify—most commonly by obtaining a provincial nomination worth 600 CRS points or by raising language scores. French-language draws and occupation-specific invitations (health, STEM, trades) continue to run in parallel and may offer lower thresholds. Applicants who received an ITA have 60 days to upload full documentation; failure to do so invalidates the invitation. Mobility managers should remind candidates to gather police certificates and up-to-date employment letters early, as processing times remain close to the six-month service standard. Firms should also budget for the new biometrics validity fee that came into force on 1 April 2026. Looking ahead, most practitioners expect CEC cut-offs to stay above 500 unless IRCC increases draw sizes. Companies relying on internal transfers may therefore prioritise employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permits to keep staff on payroll while they wait for the next draw.
