Dear future neighbour,
On June 23, 2026, IRCC held a new Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw and sent out 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score required was 516 which was down 2 points from the previous CEC draw in May. Simple numbers on the surface, but the story behind them matters a lot if you’ve been waiting in the pool.
This is the largest CEC draw since March 2026, and it’s the first time this year that both the draw size increased and the cutoff dropped at the same time. For candidates who’ve been watching the numbers move in the wrong direction all year, that’s genuinely good news.
See below full details of draw:
| Draw Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Program | Canadian Experience Class |
| Draw Date | June 23, 2026 |
| Number of Invitations Issued | 4,000 |
| CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate | 516 |
| Rank Required | 4,000 or above |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | April 14, 2026 |
Quick note on the tie-breaking rule: if your CRS was exactly 516, you only received an invitation if your profile was submitted before April 14, 2026 at 00:03:10 UTC. Anyone at 516 who submitted after that date was not selected. The fact that this date goes back over two months tells us just how crowded that score band is right now.
How did we get here?
IRCC started 2026 issuing 8,000 CEC invitations per draw. By April, that had been cut down to 2,000, and the CRS cutoff climbed steadily from 511 all the way to 518 in May. The June 23 draw, with 4,000 invitations and a cutoff of 516 is the clearest sign yet that IRCC is reversing that trend.
See below every CEC draw held in 2026:
| Draw Round | Date | Invitations | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 pattern speaks for itself; smaller draws push the cutoff up, larger draws bring it down. This draw also came just one day after IRCC issued 955 PNP invitations on June 22, restoring the back-to-back draw pattern that had been missing for weeks.
What this means depending on your score
If you’re at 516 or above, you were in range. Get your documents ready and don’t delay your application.
If you’re between 510 and 515, you’re closer than you’ve been in months. If IRCC keeps draws at 4,000+, the cutoff could ease toward 512–514 over the next few rounds.
If you’re between 500 and 509, CEC draws aren’t reaching you yet. A language retest, adding a spouse’s scores, or completing a Canadian credential could add 20–50 points to your CRS.
If you’re below 500, French-language category draws (cutoffs as low as 393 in 2026) and provincial nominations (which add 600 CRS points) are your strongest pathways right now.
The next CEC draw is expected around the week of July 6–7, 2026, based on the usual biweekly schedule; though IRCC hasn’t confirmed a date. A French-language or occupation-based category draw could also appear within the next few days if the cluster pattern holds.
Your Next Step Toward Canada Starts Here
Whether you’re in the Express Entry pool, working on boosting your CRS, or just figuring out where to start; we’re here to help you build the right strategy. From Express Entry and provincial nominations to work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, and more, our team covers every path to Canada. Book your consultation today and let’s plan out your next move.