On February 17, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry draw #396, a program‑specific round for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In this draw, 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to CEC candidates in the Express Entry pool, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 508.
- 01Key numbers at a glance
- 02What the Ministerial Instructions say (CEC grouping)
- 03CEC’s role in 2026: how this draw fits the trend
- 04Understanding the Canadian Experience Class in simple terms
- 05How this CEC draw compares to other recent Express Entry rounds
- 06Who benefits from draw 396?
- 07Practical implications: what CEC candidates should do now
- 08If you received an ITA in draw 396
- 09If you did not receive an ITA
This is IRCC’s third CEC‑only draw of 2026, following large rounds on January 7 and January 21, and it comes shortly after a record‑breaking French‑language category draw (#394) and a tight Provincial Nominee Program (PNP‑only) draw (#395).
Key numbers at a glance
From IRCC’s rounds of invitations and Ministerial Instructions, plus compiled draw trackers:
| Draw parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Draw number | 396 |
| Date and time of round | February 17, 2026 at 11:33:44 UTC |
| Program | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) only |
| Number of ITAs | 6,000 |
| Rank required | 6,000 or above |
| CRS score cut‑off | 508 |
| Tie‑breaking rule | March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC |
| Eligible class | Canadian Experience Class under Express Entry |
The tie‑breaking rule means that if multiple candidates had a CRS score of 508, only those whose Express Entry profiles were submitted before March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC received an ITA in this round.
What the Ministerial Instructions say (CEC grouping)
The official Ministerial Instructions Respecting Invitations to Apply for Permanent Residence under the Express Entry System (February 17, 2026) set out how this draw was structured.
Key points from the Instructions:
- The Minister acts under subparagraph 10.3(1)(h.1)(ii) and paragraphs 10.3(1)(i) and (j) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which govern targeted groupings and invitation rules in Express Entry.
- A grouping is created (section 2) consisting of eligible foreign nationals who are eligible to be members of the class referred to in subsection 2(b) of the Express Entry Instructions—this is the Canadian Experience Class.
- Invitation period (section 3): ITAs can be issued between February 17 and February 18, 2026.
- Number of invitations (section 4): Capped at 6,000 for this CEC grouping.
- Required rank (section 5): Invitations may be issued to eligible CEC candidates who rank among the first 6,000 in the group ranking.
As always, an eligible foreign national is defined as a candidate in the Express Entry pool under the general Express Entry Instructions, and “invitation” has the standard Express Entry meaning.
CEC’s role in 2026: how this draw fits the trend
The Canadian Experience Class has become one of IRCC’s most active channels in 2025–2026, especially for candidates already in Canada on work permits.
Recent CEC‑only draws:
A few patterns stand out:
- Large volumes: 8,000 + 6,000 + 6,000 CEC ITAs in just the first six weeks of 2026.
- Gradually easing cut‑offs: CRS going from 511 (draw 390) to 509 (392) to 508 (396).
- Regular scheduling: CEC rounds interspersed with PNP‑only and category‑based draws, helping IRCC balance in‑Canada vs. overseas admissions.
In total, trackers estimate that by mid‑February IRCC has invited over 30,000 Express Entry candidates across all programs in 2026, with a substantial share through CEC.
Understanding the Canadian Experience Class in simple terms
The Canadian Experience Class is one of three main federal economic immigration programs managed in Express Entry, alongside the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
In plain language:
- CEC is for people who already have skilled work experience in Canada, usually on a work permit.
- To qualify, you generally need:
- At least one year of skilled Canadian work experience in the last three years (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3).
- Minimum language scores (usually CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2/3).
- Plan to live outside Quebec.
Because CEC candidates have proven they can work and live in Canada, IRCC often uses CEC draws to:
- Convert temporary workers into permanent residents more quickly.
- Support employers who want to retain staff.
- Stabilize immigration targets in years when temporary resident levels are being tightened.
CEC draws typically do not require a job offer at the time of invitation (though it can help your CRS), making them attractive to many in‑Canada workers.
How this CEC draw compares to other recent Express Entry rounds
Looking at 2026 Express Entry draws so far:
Key takeaways:
- IRCC is using a mix of:
- PNP‑only draws (very high CRS due to 600‑point nominations).
- CEC draws (mid‑500s and now high‑400s/low‑500s).
- Category‑based draws (e.g., French‑language with much lower CRS).
- Compared to PNP draws with cut‑offs in the 740–790 range, CEC draws like #396 are far more accessible for candidates without a nomination, provided they can reach around 500+ CRS through age, education, language and work experience.
Who benefits from draw 396?
This draw mainly benefits in‑Canada skilled workers who:
- Have at least one year of recent Canadian skilled work experience.
- Have strong language scores, often CLB 8–9+ in English and/or French.
- Are aged in their 20s or early 30s, with post‑secondary education (which boosts CRS).
Groups that are particularly well positioned:
- Post‑graduate work permit holders with 1+ year of NOC TEER 0–3 experience.
- LMIA‑based or LMIA‑exempt workers (e.g., intra‑company transferees, youth under IEC, Francophone Mobility) who have built up Canadian experience.
- Candidates who may not have a provincial nomination but can achieve a high CRS through human capital alone.
That said, a CRS of 508 is still demanding, and many otherwise strong CEC profiles will remain just below the cut‑off, especially if they are older or have lower language scores.
Practical implications: what CEC candidates should do now
If you received an ITA in draw 396
If your CRS is 508+ and you received an ITA:
- You now have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence through your Express Entry account.
- Check that your work history, duties and NOC codes clearly match CEC requirements (skilled work, correct TEER level).
- Ensure your documents match your profile: language tests, ECA, work reference letters, pay stubs, T4s, and notices of assessment if available.
- If your status or job has changed since profile submission, update your information and, if necessary, include an explanation letter.
If you did not receive an ITA
If you are in the CEC pool below 508:
- Calculate how close you are to 500+ CRS. Small changes can matter:
- Retaking language tests to reach CLB 9 can add many points.
- Gaining another year of Canadian skilled experience can increase CRS.
- Spousal factors (language, education) can sometimes be optimized.
- Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that align with your profile: a nomination adds 600 points, which will almost guarantee an ITA in PNP rounds.
- Watch for category‑based draws (especially French‑language if you have strong French), which may invite candidates with lower overall CRS.
Remember that IRCC often clusters multiple CEC draws over a few months to meet annual admission targets, so similar cut‑offs could reappear in upcoming rounds.
Express Entry draw #396 confirms that the Canadian Experience Class remains a central pillar of Canada’s 2026 immigration strategy, offering a large number of invitations at a CRS cut‑off slightly below earlier CEC rounds this year. For in‑Canada workers, the message is clear: building skilled Canadian experience, maximizing language scores, and keeping profiles updated remains one of the most reliable paths to permanent residence—even as IRCC also leans heavily on PNP and French‑language category‑based draws to meet its broader economic and Francophone immigration goals.
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