IRCC held a new Express Entry round on August 5, 2026, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. This was round #432.
Draw #432 at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Draw number | 432 |
| Draw date | August 5, 2026 |
| Category | Canadian Experience Class |
| Invitations issued | 3,000 |
| CRS cutoff score | 516 |
| Tie-break cutoff | July 3, 2026 at 21:35:13 UTC |
How this compares to the previous round
The round immediately before this one, #431, was held one day earlier on August 4, 2026, and targeted the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category. It invited 507 candidates at a CRS cutoff of 768.
Because #431 was a PNP-specific round and #432 was CEC-specific, the two cutoffs are not directly comparable. PNP rounds typically draw from a smaller pool of provincially nominated candidates, who receive a large CRS bonus, which is why that cutoff was much higher. CEC rounds draw from a larger pool without that bonus, which is consistent with the lower 516 cutoff seen in #432.
Recent CEC-category draws
Based on the official data available at publication, here is the most recent CEC round:
| Draw # | Date | Category | ITAs issued | CRS cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 432 | August 5, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 516 |
No earlier CEC-specific rounds were included in the source data reviewed for this report, so a longer trend cannot be confirmed here. For a fuller record of rounds across all categories in 2026, see our Express Entry draw history for 2026.
Who is affected
This round affects candidates who were in the Express Entry pool with a valid CEC profile and a CRS score of 516 or higher as of the July 3, 2026 tie-break cutoff. Those candidates received an ITA and can now submit an application for permanent residence.
Who is not affected
Candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades categories were not targeted by this round. Candidates without a valid CEC profile, or with a CRS score below 516, were not invited in round #432, even if they remain in the pool. PNP candidates were addressed separately in round #431 the day before.
What remains uncertain
IRCC has not published the size, timing, or category of the next Express Entry round. Cutoff scores can change significantly between rounds and between categories, as shown by the gap between #431 and #432. Candidates should not assume future cutoffs will match this round.
What readers should do
Candidates already in the pool should check their profile and CRS score against the 516 cutoff for this round. Those invited have a limited window to submit a complete application. For the latest round results as they are published, see our latest Express Entry draw update.
Full details, including the Ministerial Instructions for round #432, are published by IRCC at the official source linked below.
Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
At a glance
| Official source | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html |
|---|---|
| Announced | 2026-08-05 |
| Effective | 2026-08-05 |
| Checked by editor | 2026-08-05 |
| Who is affected | Express Entry candidates with a valid Canadian Experience Class profile and a CRS score of 516 or higher as of the July 3, 2026 tie-break cutoff. |
| Who is NOT affected | Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades candidates, candidates without a CEC profile, candidates with CRS scores below 516, and PNP candidates already addressed in the separate round #431. |
| Permanent or temporary | This is a single, time-limited round of invitations; it does not change ongoing program rules. |
| What to do next | Check pool status and CRS score against the 516 cutoff; invited candidates should prepare and submit a complete application within the required deadline. |
| Still uncertain | The size, timing, and category focus of the next Express Entry round have not been announced. |
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