Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw- CRS Drops to 508

New Express Entry Draw

While a one-point drop from the January 21 CEC draw (509) may appear minor, the broader pattern tells a clearer story. CRS scores for CEC candidates have been gradually easing compared to late 2024 trends, and this could signal increasing stability in the pool.

Express Entry Draw Result – 17 Feb 2026

Date	EE Draw Category	No. of ITAs	Minimum CRS Score Requirement	Tie-breaking rule
17 Feb 2026	Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	6,000	508	March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC

Click here to see the complete list of Express Entry draws until date

A clear inland focus in 2026

This marks the eighth Express Entry draw of the year and the third specifically targeting CEC candidates. So far, draw activity shows a consistent trend: Canada is prioritizing candidates already inside the country.

The majority of invitations in 2026 have gone to:

• Canadian Experience Class candidates
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants
• French-language proficiency candidates

When broken down by frequency, the pattern becomes clearer.

Express Entry draw types in 2026 (so far)

Draw Type	Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program	4
Canadian Experience Class	3
French-Language proficiency	1

CEC draws are large in volume, often issuing 6,000 or more ITAs at a time. This steady issuance helps prevent the CRS cut-off from climbing sharply.

What does 508 CRS mean for candidates?

For many candidates in the Express Entry pool, 508 sits at an interesting threshold. It suggests that candidates with:

• Strong Canadian work experience
• Solid language scores (CLB 9 or above)
• Post-secondary education credentials

are remaining competitive without necessarily needing a provincial nomination. At the same time, CRS scores above 510 still offer stronger security. If IRCC reduces draw sizes later in the year, cut-offs could rise again. However, if 6,000-ITA CEC rounds continue, the CRS may stabilize in the high 400s to low 500s range.

Total ITAs issued in 2026 so far

In 2026 to date, IRCC has issued 30,457 ITAs across the following categories:

Draw type	ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class	20,000
French-Language proficiency	8,500
Provincial Nominee Program	1,534

Canadian Experience Class candidates account for the majority of invitations this year. That proportion reinforces the government’s current strategy of transitioning temporary residents to permanent status.

Speak With a Reliable Immigration Advisor Today

If you have secured a provincial nomination, or you are considering entering the Express Entry pool, recent PNP-focused draws could influence your strategy more than you think.

CRS calculations, province-specific criteria, and documentation timelines often determine whether an application moves forward smoothly or faces delays. Even small details — like profile accuracy or supporting documents — can affect the final outcome.

Before making your next move, it helps to understand exactly where you stand and what options are realistically available to you. A proper eligibility review can clarify whether your current score is competitive, whether a provincial pathway suits your profile, or if improvements are needed first.

For personalized guidance and step-by-step support, speak with experienced immigration professionals. Call Toll-Free at 78-18-000-777 or email info@visasavenue.com to begin your process with informed direction.

- Rajneesh Kumar