Canada invites 2,000 foreign workers to apply for permanent residence: All you need to know about latest Express Entry draw

Canada has invited 2,000 skilled foreign workers to apply for permanent residence through its latest Express Entry draw, with candidates needing a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 519 to receive an invitation.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on Tuesday. a pathway for skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience.The latest round comes as the federal government continues to use Express Entry to select temporary residents and other eligible workers for permanent status.“This initiative will target individuals who are already contributing to Canada’s economy across a wide range of in-demand sectors, including in rural areas and known labour gaps, acknowledging their strong roots in their communities and their contributions to Canada’s economy,” IRCC spokesperson Matthew Krupovich told Daily Hive.What is the Canadian Experience Class?The Canadian Experience Class is one of the immigration pathways managed through Canada's Express Entry system. It is designed for skilled workers who have gained eligible work experience in Canada and want to become permanent residents.How does the 519 CRS cut-off compare with previous draws?The 519 cut-off in the latest CEC draw was lower than the previous two CEC rounds.Previous draws:September 15: 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 519September 1: 2,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 521August 18: 1,000 invitations, CRS cut-off 523So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 128,732 invitations across Express Entry draw categories, according to the figures provided for the latest round.What happens after receiving an ITA?An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is not the same as permanent residence. It gives a candidate the opportunity to submit a full permanent residence application to IRCC.Candidates who received an invitation should complete the next steps within the 60-day deadline.Invited candidates should:Sign in to their IRCC secure account, open the invitation and confirm the Express Entry programme.Complete the permanent residence application, ensuring all information is accurate and up to date.Upload required documents, such as police certificates, proof of funds (where required), and birth, marriage or divorce certificates, per the personalised checklist.Pay the applicable processing and other required fees through their IRCC account.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.