(CANADA) — Immigration, refugees and citizenship canada (IRCC) issued 8,000 invitations for permanent residence on January 7, 2026, in a canadian experience class (CEC) draw that set a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511.
The draw, numbered #390, applied a tie-breaking rule of June 10, 2025, at 15:59:25 UTC, as IRCC continues to use Express Entry as its main selection system for skilled worker immigration.
Ministerial intent and context
A ministerial instruction dated January 7, 2026 described the 8,000-invitation round as a “deliberate step to prioritize candidates with proven canadian integration,” aligning the early-year intake with the government’s stated emphasis on selecting people already working or studying in Canada.
“To meet critical labor needs, we are introducing a new Express Entry category for Physicians with Canadian work experience, ensuring those keeping our citizens healthy have a clear path to staying here.”
— Former Minister of Immigration Lena Metlege Diab, policy statement dated December 8, 2025
IRCC’s December policy messaging pointed toward more category-focused selection in 2026, including in health care. The January 7 CEC round reinforced IRCC’s focus on in-Canada experience, which is central to the Canadian Experience Class.
How the January 7 draw compares to recent history
- The 511 CRS cut-off immediately drew attention because it sits below many recent CEC thresholds.
- Throughout 2025, CEC scores frequently hovered above 520–530.
- The January 2026 mark is described as the lowest cut-off for a CEC-focused draw since early 2021.
IRCC’s early pace also stands out against its 2026 planning numbers. As of January 7, Canada had used approximately 7% of its total Express Entry quota for the year, with the target set at 123,230.
The January 7 round followed an earlier draw listed in the same sequence. A January 5, 2025 PNP-specific draw issued 574 invitations with a cut-off of 711.
Who benefits from a 511 CRS cut-off
A 511 score is described as making permanent residence achievable for international graduates and temporary workers who were previously “stuck” in the pool with scores in the low 500s.
The lower threshold is also attracting interest outside Canada, particularly among U.S.-based applicants (including H-1B holders) who face long backlogs for U.S. Green Cards and are comparing Canada’s relatively short Express Entry processing target.
Express Entry: process highlights
- Candidates begin by creating an online profile (no fee at the profile-creation step).
- Profiles are ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System, which awards points for:
- Age
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Work experience
Language proficiency is a central part of the calculation. The system described for 2026 includes a requirement of CLB 7+ for language proficiency, with test results used to support the ranking.
Candidates who meet the CRS cut-off in a draw receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and then move into the full application stage. After an ITA is issued, candidates have 60 days to submit documents and pay fees.
Do not miss the 60-day ITA window after an invitation. Also budget for all fees and proof of funds, as slow document prep or missed payments can derail the process and extend timelines.
IRCC has set a target processing time for 2026: 6 months for federal Express Entry applications.
Fees and typical additional costs (January 2026)
IRCC’s posted fee schedule (January 2026) includes government fees and biometrics. Additional mandatory costs often sit outside the government fees and vary by provider.
Government fees (per IRCC schedule)
| Item | Principal applicant | Spouse/partner | Dependent child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing fee | $950 | $950 | — |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 | $575 | — |
| Biometrics fee | $85 | $85 | — |
| IRCC total (government fees + RPRF + biometrics) | $1,610 | $1,610 | $260 |
IRCC describes these fees as adjusted for inflation as of January 2026.
Typical additional costs (approximate)
- Language testing (IELTS or CELPIP): ~$300
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): ~$240–$280
- Medical exam: ~$450 per adult (can increase with family size)
- Settlement funds (for a single applicant, 2026): approximately $15,263 (amount varies by family size)
Practical considerations for applicants
- The Express Entry pool often functions as a waiting room: candidates can enter with a score that is not yet competitive and then try to improve it via better language scores, additional work experience, or other CRS factors.
- Documentation and timeline consistency matter, especially given cross-border data-sharing initiatives that can make travel and work histories more visible to authorities.
- After receiving an ITA, the 60-day deadline to submit the full application requires advance preparation and organized supporting documents.
If you’re inside Canada, build your profile around in-Canada experience (work/study), push language to CLB 7+, and organize documents now so you can submit your ITA within 60 days of invitation.
Cross-border implications and U.S. comparison
- The 511 CRS cut-off is being closely watched by applicants in the United States, including H-1B holders, because Canada’s stated 6-month target for Express Entry processing can offer a faster path to permanent residence.
- In the U.S., immigration processing is handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; policy updates are published at USCIS Policy Updates.
- Data-sharing efforts such as the “US-Canada Entry/Exit Initiative” highlight how travel and migration patterns are tracked between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of consistent documentation.
Publication and resources
IRCC’s online publication of rounds of invitations provides the invitation numbers, CRS cut-offs, and tie-breaking times used to determine outcomes. The latest draw results are posted at Latest Draw Results.
The IRCC fee schedule, including the processing fee, Right of Permanent Residence fee, and biometrics, is available at Fee Schedule.
Takeaway
With the year beginning on a high-volume CEC round, candidates in Canada are recalibrating expectations around CRS cut-offs and the pace of selection. The introduction of targeted categories — such as the Physicians category announced in December 2025 — signals continued use of category tools to meet specific labor needs, even as broad in-Canada draws bring thousands into the application pipeline at once.
Canada has opened 2026 with a massive 8,000-invitation draw for the Canadian Experience Class, setting a surprisingly low CRS score of 511. This initiative targets skilled workers already integrated into the Canadian economy, offering a faster residency path for international graduates and temporary workers. IRCC aims to process these applications within six months, reinforcing Canada’s status as a competitive alternative for global talent, including U.S.-based H-1B holders.
