Express Entry Draw #413: Canada Issues 2,000 ITAs for Canadian Experience Class (CRS 514)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on April 28, 2026. Under Ministerial Instructions #413, the department issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) specifically to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 514. This draw is part of IRCC’s ongoing strategy to prioritize candidates who already have Canadian work experience, supporting integration into the labour market and long-term settlement. Below is a complete breakdown of the round, eligibility rules, and the official ministerial instructions.Draw #413 Results – At a Glance
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Program | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Number of invitations issued | 2,000 |
| Rank required to be invited | 2,000 or above |
| Date and time of round | April 28, 2026 at 10:36:46 UTC |
| CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited | 514 |
| Tie-breaking rule | September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC |
Who Was Eligible for This Round?
According to the ministerial instructions signed by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on April 28, 2026, this draw was limited to one specific group of candidates:- Grouping: Eligible foreign nationals who are eligible to be members of the Canadian Experience Class, as defined under subsection 2(b) of the Express Entry Instructions.
- Eligible foreign national: A foreign national whose Expression of Interest (profile) is in the Express Entry pool established by the Express Entry Instructions (published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 1, 2014, and amended from time to time).
How the Invitations Were Issued
The ministerial instructions laid out a clear process for this draw:- Period: The window during which invitations could be issued began on April 28, 2026, and ended on April 29, 2026.
- Number of invitations: Exactly 2,000 invitations could be issued to eligible foreign nationals in the CEC grouping.
- Required rank: Invitations were issued to eligible foreign nationals who ranked among the first 2,000 candidates in the group ranking (i.e., highest CRS scores within the CEC pool).
- Tie-breaking rule: If more than one candidate had the lowest score (514), the cut-off was based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles. The tie-break threshold was set at September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC. Only candidates who submitted their profile before this time were considered if they had the minimum score.
Official Ministerial Instructions #413 – Key Sections
The following are the key sections of the Ministerial Instructions signed by Minister Lena Metlege Diab under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act:Definitions
- Eligible foreign national – a foreign national whose expression of interest is in the Express Entry pool established by the Express Entry Instructions.
- Express Entry Instructions – the Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Express Entry System, as published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 1, 2014, and as amended from time to time.
- Group ranking – the ranking established among the eligible foreign nationals of whom the grouping established in section 2 consists.
- Invitation – has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Express Entry Instructions.
Grouping (Section 2)
For the purposes of subparagraph 10.3(1)(h.1)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a grouping of eligible foreign nationals is established for ranking, consisting of those who are eligible to be members of the Canadian Experience Class (subsection 2(b) of the Express Entry Instructions).Invitations – Period (Section 3)
The period during which invitations may be issued under these Instructions is from April 28, 2026, to April 29, 2026.Invitations – Number (Section 4)
The number of invitations that may be issued to eligible foreign nationals in the grouping is 2,000.Invitations – Required Rank (Section 5)
Invitations may be issued to eligible foreign nationals who rank among the first 2,000 in the group ranking.What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
This draw reflects IRCC’s continued focus on Canadian Experience Class candidates. If you have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and meet the language requirements, you are likely eligible for CEC. Key takeaways from this round:- The CRS cut-off of 514 is relatively high, indicating strong competition within the CEC pool.
- The tie-break date of September 24, 2025, highlights that candidates with the minimum score but later profile submission times were not invited.
- With 2,000 ITAs issued, this is a moderate sized draw for CEC-specific rounds (which have ranged from 500 to 6,000 in recent years).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CRS score required for this Express Entry draw?+The minimum CRS score in Draw #413 was 514. A tie-breaking rule applied: only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC were considered if they had this score.
How many ITAs were issued in this round?+
IRCC issued exactly 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class.
Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class?+
To be eligible, you generally need at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the last three years, meet minimum language levels (CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2/3), and intend to live outside Quebec.
When will the next Express Entry draw take place?+
IRCC schedules draws at its discretion, typically every two weeks. Keep an eye on immigration2canada.com for updates on upcoming rounds and CRS trends.
What is the tie-breaking rule in Express Entry draws?+
If multiple candidates share the lowest CRS score in a draw, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profile. Only those who submitted before the specified tie-break timestamp will receive an ITA.
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Understanding the CRS Score Trend for Canadian Experience Class Draws
The CRS cutoff of 514 in Draw #413 is notable for several reasons. Throughout 2025 and early 2026, CEC-specific draws have seen cutoffs ranging from 490 to 530, with the average hovering around 510. This draw sits right in the middle of that range, indicating that competition for CEC invitations remains fierce. For context, here is how recent CEC draws have compared in size and cutoffs:| Draw # | Date | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 408 | March 15, 2026 | 1,800 | 517 |
| 410 | April 2, 2026 | 2,200 | 511 |
| 411 | April 14, 2026 | 1,500 | 520 |
| 413 | April 28, 2026 | 2,000 | 514 |
How to Improve Your CRS Score for the Next CEC Draw
If your CRS score is below 514 or you missed the tie-break, there are several proven strategies to boost your score before the next draw:- Improve your language test scores: A high score on IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French, can add up to 30 points. For example, scoring CLB 9 instead of CLB 7 in all abilities can give you a significant edge.
- Obtain a provincial nomination: If you are in a province that runs a PNP stream for CEC candidates (like Ontario's Human Capital Priorities or British Columbia’s Tech Pilot), you can get an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
- Gain additional Canadian work experience: Each additional year of skilled work in Canada adds points. If you have one year, a second year can add up to 13 points.
- Increase your education level: Completing a Canadian bachelor’s degree or postgraduate diploma can boost your points for education and the Canada Study Bonus.
- Get a sibling in Canada: If you have a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and aged 18 or older, you may earn 15 additional points.
What Happens After You Receive an ITA?
For the 2,000 candidates who received an ITA in this round, the next steps are critical. Here is a quick step-by-step guide:- Complete your e-APR: You have 60 days from the date of your ITA (April 28, 2026) to submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence. The deadline is June 27, 2026.
- Upload all supporting documents: This includes police certificates, medical exams, proof of work experience, educational credential assessments (for foreign degrees), and language test results.
- Pay the processing fees: Fees for a single applicant are currently CAD $1,365 (including the right of permanent residence fee). For a family, the cost increases accordingly.
- Wait for IRCC processing: Most Express Entry applications processed in 2026 have a standard processing time of 6 months or less, though CEC applications sometimes process faster due to the Canadian work experience verification.
The Role of Ministerial Instructions in Express Entry
This draw was conducted under Ministerial Instructions signed by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, exercising authority granted under subparagraph 10.3(1)(h.1)(ii) and paragraphs 10.3(1)(i) and (j) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2022, c. 10, s. 377). These instructions give IRCC flexibility to tailor draws to Canada's economic and labour market needs. The defined grouping of CEC-only candidates means that no Federal Skilled Workers or Federal Skilled Trades candidates were considered in this round, even if they had higher scores. This targeted approach helps IRCC manage the backlog and prioritize candidates who are already integrated into Canadian society.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still submit an Express Entry profile after this draw?+Yes, the Express Entry pool remains open to new profiles. You can submit your profile at any time. Once it is in the pool, you will be considered for all future draws (including CEC-specific and all-program draws).
What is the significance of the tie-breaking date being September 24, 2025?+
The tie-break date shows that among candidates with a CRS score of 514, only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC received an ITA. Candidates with a score of 514 but a later submission date were not invited. This encourages candidates to submit their profiles as early as possible after meeting eligibility requirements.
Is French language ability beneficial for CEC candidates?+
Yes, strong French abilities (CLB 7 or higher) can earn you up to 30 additional CRS points. Additionally, IRCC sometimes holds separate French-language draws which may have lower CRS cutoffs. Improving French can be a smart strategy to boost your score.
What if I have a sibling in Canada but they live in Quebec?+
For Express Entry purposes (including CEC), you must intend to live outside Quebec. Having a sibling in Quebec may still help if you can prove ties elsewhere in Canada, but the sibling points are typically only awarded if the sibling lives outside Quebec. Always check the latest IRCC guidelines.
How can I prepare for the next draw?+
Start by ensuring your Express Entry profile is accurate and up-to-date. Retake language tests if you think you can improve, gather all required documents (like police certificates and ECA reports), and consider linking to a Provincial Nominee Program if you qualify. Also, follow immigration2canada.com for draw announcements and expert analysis.
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