IRCC Issues 2,000 ITAs in Express Entry CEC Draw with a Minimum CRS Score of 517

By Vicky
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw 424, inviting 2,000 candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), one of the key economic immigration pathways within Canada’s Express Entry system.
This draw, held on July 7, 2026, continues Canada’s focus on retaining skilled workers with Canadian work experience. To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this round, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 517.

Key Highlights – Express Entry Draw 424

  • Draw Type: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Date of Round: July 7, 2026
  • Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 2,000
  • Minimum CRS Score: 517
  • Rank Needed: 2,000 or above
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: Candidates with the same CRS score had to have submitted their Express Entry profiles on or before December 29, 2025 at 17:49:27 UTC to be invited.

This draw follows the Canadian Experience Class round held on June 23, 2026, and reinforces IRCC’s continued use of CEC-specific draws to support the transition of temporary residents into permanent residents.

Continued Focus on Candidates with Canadian Experience

The Canadian Experience Class remains a cornerstone of Canada’s economic immigration strategy. As a result, the program prioritizes candidates with skilled Canadian work experience and retains talent that is already contributing to Canada’s labour market and economy.

CEC draws continue to provide a direct pathway to permanent residence for eligible temporary workers and international graduates with qualifying Canadian work experience.

CEC Draw Trends in 2026

Draw Number Date Invitations Issued CRS Score
#424 July 7, 2026 2,000 517
#420 June 23, 2026 4,000 516
#417 May 27, 2026 3,000 518
#413 April 28, 2026 2,000 514
#410 April 14, 2026 2,000 515
#407 March 31, 2026 2,250 509
#404 March 17, 2026 4,000 507
#400 March 3, 2026 4,000 508
#396 February 17, 2026 6,000 508
#392 January 21, 2026 6,000 509
#390 January 7, 2026 8,000 511

The latest CEC draw issued 2,000 invitations, down from 4,000 invitations in the previous round on June 23. Meanwhile, the CRS cut-off increased slightly from 516 to 517, indicating that competition within the CEC pool remains strong despite the reduced number of invitations.

Looking Ahead

As Express Entry draws continue throughout 2026, candidates with Canadian work experience are expected to remain an important part of Canada’s immigration strategy. Maintaining an updated Express Entry profile, valid language test results, and accurate employment records can improve eligibility for future invitations.

While invitation numbers may vary between draws, regular CEC-specific rounds continue to provide a valuable pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers already contributing to Canada’s workforce.

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