IRCC Invites 6,000 Canadian Experience Class Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in an unannounced Express Entry draw held on February 17, 2026. The selection targeted candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.
According to government data, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 508 to receive an invitation. Profiles created before 9:35 a.m. UTC on March 16, 2025, were considered in this round.
The draw was conducted during a statutory holiday, marking one of the largest CEC-specific rounds so far in 2026.
- Draw date: February 17, 2026
- Program category: Canadian Experience Class
- Minimum CRS score: 508
- Number of invitations issued: 6,000
- Type of draw: Express Entry (CEC-specific)
- Total ITAs issued in 2026 to date: 30,457
Overview of the February 17 Express Entry Draw
The latest selection round represents the third Canadian Experience Class draw of 2026 and the eighth overall Express Entry draw of the year. The program continues to prioritize applicants already established in Canada, particularly those with domestic work experience.
CEC draws typically focus on individuals who have gained at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and who meet language and education requirements under the Express Entry system. This category often serves as a pathway to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers and international graduates already contributing to the Canadian labour market.
Express Entry Draw Activity in 2026
IRCC has conducted a total of eight draws so far in 2026. The distribution of invitations shows a consistent emphasis on Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, alongside one French-language proficiency draw earlier in February.
Summary of 2026 Express Entry Draws
| Draw Date | Category | CRS Cut-off | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Total Invitations by Category
Across all draws in 2026, IRCC has issued 30,457 ITAs. The breakdown by category is as follows:
| Category | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 20,000 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,534 |
Context: Focus on Domestic and Provincial Pathways
The 2026 draw pattern suggests an ongoing focus on candidates already living and working in Canada. Both the Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program are structured to support regional labour needs and long-term settlement outcomes.
Provinces such as Manitoba continue to play a significant role through nomination streams under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, which allows the province to recommend skilled workers aligned with its economic priorities.
The Express Entry system integrates these nominations into its ranking process, awarding additional CRS points to provincial nominees, often resulting in higher overall scores during PNP-specific draws.
Background on the Canadian Experience Class
Introduced in 2008, the Canadian Experience Class was designed to facilitate immigration for individuals with recent Canadian work experience. It recognizes the value of local employment history and familiarity with Canada’s workplace and cultural environment.
Applicants under this stream must demonstrate at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the three years preceding their application, along with meeting minimum language proficiency standards. Education credentials, although not mandatory, can improve CRS rankings under the Express Entry system.
Public Relevance and Ongoing Developments
Express Entry plays a central role in achieving Canada’s annual immigration targets by allowing IRCC to issue invitations based on economic priorities. Regular draws provide transparency on minimum scores and program focus areas, offering a measurable outlook on the country’s skilled immigration intake.
The February 17 draw follows a trend of alternating program-specific and category-based selections, indicating IRCC’s continued use of targeted approaches to manage the candidate pool efficiently.
Further draw activity is expected throughout 2026 as Canada works toward meeting its immigration levels plan and addressing labour market demands across provinces and sectors.
Looking Ahead
IRCC’s consistent scheduling of Express Entry rounds provides ongoing opportunities for skilled workers and provincial nominees to obtain permanent residency. Programs such as the CEC and the PNP continue to serve as key components of Canada’s economic immigration framework, supporting both national and regional settlement objectives.
Readers can explore related updates on immigration policies, draw results, and regional nominee programs through the latest news and official government releases.