What is Canada Express Entry 2026? A complete guide to new points system, costs, and 8,000-PR invitation surge
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.
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.
Eligible candidates create an online profile and enter a pool, where they are ranked against others using the CRS system.
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Canada student work rules for Indian students: According to IRCC, international students can work in Canada without a separate work permit, but only if they meet certain conditions. (Al-generated graphic)
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.
Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments.
A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences.
Experience
Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting.
At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways.
Expertise
Her core areas of reporting include:
• Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information.
• Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments.
• Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities.
Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration.
Authoritativeness and trustworthiness
Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More
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Canada has invited 8,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence under its Express Entry system. (File Photo) 
