Canada has invited 1,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence through its Express Entry system under the Canadian Experience Class.
The invitation round was conducted on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, according to the latest ministerial instructions published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 523 to receive an invitation.
The draw was conducted at 10:13:44 UTC, with a tie-breaking rule based on candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles by 22:09:00 UTC on August 17.
The tie-breaking rule applies when more than one candidate has the lowest qualifying score, with the earlier profile submission date and time determining who receives an invitation.
The latest round was specifically for the Canadian Experience Class, one of the three federal economic immigration programmes managed through Express Entry.
Express Entry is Canada’s main online system for managing applications from skilled workers seeking permanent residence. It covers the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Programme and Federal Skilled Trades Programme.
Candidates are ranked using the CRS, which awards points for factors including age, education, language ability and work experience. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence during periodic draws.
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience. Generally, applicants need at least one year, or 1,560 hours, of skilled work experience in Canada within the previous three years in eligible National Occupational Classification TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations.
Applicants also need to meet minimum language requirements. The programme does not require an education credential or proof of settlement funds, while applicants must plan to live outside Quebec.
The latest draw was smaller and more competitive than an earlier Canadian Experience Class round on August 5, which issued 3,000 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 516.
According to PUNCH, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada had issued more than 113,000 Express Entry invitations by mid-August 2026, with a significant proportion going to Canadian Experience Class candidates.
