One day before the executive-stream round, IRCC conducted a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on 15 September 2026, inviting 2,000 skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score was 519 and only profiles created before 26 March 2026 were considered. CEC draws target applicants who have at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience and meet language benchmarks. For employers, the round shores up a key retention pathway for mid-level professionals who are already integrated into the workforce and familiar with Canadian corporate culture. HR teams should track employees approaching one year of qualifying work to ensure they meet future cut-offs. The draw brings the total number of ITAs issued across all Express Entry categories this year to almost 129,000. IRCC continues to rely heavily on in-country talent, with CEC-specific invitations accounting for more than 53,000 ITAs in 2026. That policy emphasis aligns with the government’s stated goal of reducing processing risk by focusing on candidates who have already cleared security and medical screening while residing in Canada. Successful candidates can apply for Bridging Open Work Permits, keeping them and their dependants in authorized status as PR applications move forward. Employers should still monitor processing times—which currently average nine months for CEC files—to align talent-planning and assignment budgets.
Source: CIC News
