Canada has invited 8,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence under its Express Entry system. (File Photo) Canada Express Entry 2026: Canada has invited 8,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence under its Express Entry system, with the minimum score set at 511, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The invitations were issued in a draw focused on the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which is meant for people who already have work experience in Canada.
What happened in the latest draw
IRCC said candidates needed to meet two conditions to be selected:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511.
- An Express Entry profile created before June 10, 2025, at 3:59 pm UTC.
- The draw is the second-largest CEC round ever, after a record selection during the pandemic in 2021.
- It also recorded the lowest CRS cut-off seen so far in 2025, IRCC data shows.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is Canada’s online system for managing permanent residence applications from skilled workers.
It covers three federal immigration programmes:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Eligible candidates create an online profile and enter a pool, where they are ranked against others using the CRS system.
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How Express Entry process works
- Step 1: Create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool.
- Step 2: Get a CRS score based on age, education, work experience and language skills.
- Step 3: High-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Step 4: Submit documents, pay fees and apply for permanent residence.
- Step 5: IRCC reviews the application and makes a decision.
Who can apply under Canadian Experience Class
According to Express Entry rules, CEC applicants must:
- Have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last three years.
- Meet minimum language test requirements
Plan to live outside Quebec - The route is popular with temporary foreign workers and international graduates already working in Canada.
What does it cost?
Express Entry fees include:
- Main applicant: CAN $1,525 (around 1.40 lakh).
- Spouse or partner: CAN $1,525 ( around 1.40 lakh).
- Dependent child: CAN $260 (around 24,000).
- Processing times vary depending on the programme.
Didn’t get selected? What you can do next
If you were not invited in this round, Express Entry suggests several ways to improve your chances:
- Retake language tests to raise your score.
- Gain more skilled work experience.
- Complete higher education.
- Apply for a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points.
What happens after approval
If IRCC approves your application, you will be asked to confirm your permanent resident status or prepare to move to Canada.
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All details and updates are published through Express Entry and IRCC.
