Key Results From Express Entry Draw #432

IRCC's official record shows that draw #432 took place on August 5, 2026, at 10:41:26 UTC. It was a program-specific draw limited to candidates eligible for the CEC, rather than an occupation- or language-based category draw. The results were as follows:

• IRCC issued 3,000 ITAs.
• Candidates had to rank among the top 3,000 in the group, with 3,000 being the lowest rank invited.
• The minimum CRS score was 516.
• The tie-breaking rule was July 3, 2026, at 21:35:13 UTC.
• If more than one candidate had a score of 516, IRCC ranked them by the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
• The Ministerial Instructions authorized invitations to be issued to this CEC group from August 5 to August 6, 2026.

The official footnote also confirms that invitations to apply could be issued to Canadian Experience Class candidates in this round. IRCC official details for draw #432

Draw Size Increases While the CRS Cut-Off Holds at 516 for a Second Consecutive Round

Compared with the July 21 CEC draw #428, the number of ITAs increased from 2,000 to 3,000, a gain of 1,000 invitations or 50%. The minimum CRS score remained at 516. The two rounds were held 15 days apart, while the tie-breaking date moved from May 26, 2026, to July 3, 2026. This means the latest round reached eligible profiles submitted later within the 516-point group, but the change cannot be used to estimate the total number of CEC candidates at that score.

Based strictly on IRCC's draw classifications, Canada held 13 CEC-specific draws in 2026 through August 5 and issued a cumulative 48,250 ITAs. Minimum CRS scores across those rounds ranged from 507 to 518. The four most recent draws, held from June 23 through August 5, issued a combined 11,000 ITAs, with cut-offs ranging from 516 to 517.

By comparison, IRCC held seven CEC-specific draws by the same date in 2025 and issued 18,850 ITAs. The 2026 year-to-date total was approximately 2.6 times the comparable 2025 figure. These totals do not include candidates who may have been eligible for the CEC but were invited in French-language, healthcare, trades, or other category-based draws, because IRCC does not break down those rounds by the immigration program under which candidates ultimately apply. IRCC official Express Entry rounds data

Canadian Experience Remains an Important Federal Economic Immigration Priority

When IRCC announced its 2026 Express Entry priorities in February, it said CEC draws would continue in early 2026 to prioritize candidates who were already contributing to Canada's economy.

At the same time, the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan set a 2026 permanent resident admissions target of 109,000 under the Federal High Skilled category. That category includes the CEC, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program; it is not a separate quota for the CEC. IRCC announcement on 2026 Express Entry priorities 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan

It is important to distinguish ITAs from permanent resident admissions. ITAs are issued to principal applicants, and the subsequent application, processing, and admission stages may span different calendar years. Immigration Levels Plan admissions may also include accompanying family members. For these reasons, dividing 48,250 by 109,000 would not produce a valid measure of the CEC's annual quota completion.

The 516-Point Cut-Off Applies Only to This CEC Group

The CEC is primarily intended for people with Canadian skilled work experience who want to become permanent residents. Under IRCC's current requirements, applicants generally need at least one year, or 1,560 hours, of paid Canadian work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation during the three years before applying. They must have obtained that experience while authorized to work in Canada as temporary residents. Work performed while studying full time and self-employment generally do not count toward the minimum requirement.

There is no minimum education requirement for the CEC. Applicants must also meet language and admissibility requirements and plan to live outside Quebec. IRCC Canadian Experience Class eligibility requirements

The 516-point threshold was the minimum score for eligible candidates in this draw's CEC group. It was not a general cut-off for the entire Express Entry pool, and it does not guarantee that the next draw's threshold will remain the same or decrease. Receiving an ITA also does not mean that a permanent residence application has been approved.

Under the current Express Entry Ministerial Instructions, an invitation's validity period begins the day after it is issued and ends on the 60th day after that date. Applicants should rely on the exact deadline shown in their individual IRCC accounts and submit complete, accurate, and verifiable documentation before it expires.