Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship is running yet another selection round, issuing a new Express Entry draw on July 21 that is specifically targeted at candidates based in Canada. Moving back to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), IRCC invited 2,000 PR candidates who are currently residing and working in Canada. The CRS score threshold remained at 516 points. This particular selection round became the fifth Express Entry draw held in July 2026.
Highlights of New Express Entry Draw On July 21
- Draw Date – July 21, 2026
- Draw Type – Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Total Invitations Issued – 2,000
- Minimum CRS Score Required – 516
Comparison of CEC Draw and CRS Score Trend
The CRS minimum score for this CEC draw ended up being 516, which corresponds perfectly to the narrow score range that has been observed all year long for the CEC program applicants. All through the year, cutoff scores have consistently ranged between 507 to 518. The table below provides a clear comparison of the latest CEC draws.
| Metric | July 7, 2026 CEC Draw #424 | July 21, 2026 CEC Draw #428 |
|---|---|---|
| Invitations Issued | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| CRS Cutoff Score | 517 | 516 |
| CRS Change | — | -1 point |
| Tie-Breaking Timestamp | December 29, 2025 | May 26, 2026 |
The steady number of invitations (2,000 ITAs per draw) enabled the CRS minimum score to remain stable. As the number of invitations has remained unchanged throughout the year, all the applicants from the top part of the pool have been cleared out and the tie-breaking date became May 26, 2026.
Who the Canadian Experience Class Is Targeted At
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) continues to be one of the major immigration streams that operates under the Express Entry framework. The program is specially designed for individuals who have gained at least a year of skilled work experience in Canada in the past three years before submitting an application.
- Eligible Occupations – Work experience should be categorized as per National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- 67-Point Grid Requirement Not Applicable – Unlike Federal Skilled Worker Program, CEC applicants are exempted from meeting the secondary point grid assessment requirement worth 67 points.
- Main Applicant Categories – Temporary foreign workers, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and foreign professionals residing in Canada are the key target groups of such draw exercises.
What Candidates Should Do Now
CEC candidates with scores above 516 and who had entered their Express Entry profiles before May 26, 2026, must sign in to check their ITAs issued by the government. Selected candidates will be given 60 days to apply for permanent residency online.
For candidates falling short of the threshold by a small margin –
- Take Language Tests – Enhancing one’s language skills benchmark IELTS/CELPIP or French TEF/TCF tests would be the quickest way to earn those essential CRS points.
- Consider Category Draws – If candidates can prove that they have French language skills or belong to priority sectors such as healthcare, trades, or STEM, then they might be eligible to enter draws based on categories with much lower CRS cut-off scores.