IRCC Issues 2,000 Invitations in April 28 Canadian Experience Class Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence today. The new Express Entry draw took place on April 28, 2026. This program-specific round targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 514.
April 28 Express Entry Draw Details
The latest round specifically selected individuals already eligible under the CEC program. The department identified the highest-ranking candidates from the pool for this chosen round type.
| Draw Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Date and time | April 28, 2026 at 10:36:46 UTC |
| CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited | 514 |
| Number of invitations issued | 2,000 |
| Rank needed | 2,000 or above |
| Tie-breaking rule | September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC |
IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule when multiple candidates share the lowest score. For this round, the cut-off prioritizes individuals who submitted their Express Entry profiles before September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC. If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the exact date and time they submitted their profiles.
How IRCC Conducts Invitation Rounds
The Express Entry system manages applications for three main economic immigration programs. You must be eligible for one of these three programs to be placed in the pool. IRCC holds different types of invitation rounds throughout the year. The department decides the number of candidates needed and chooses the round type.
- General rounds of invitations: Top-ranking candidates eligible for any of the three managed programs receive invitations.
- Program-specific rounds of invitations: Only candidates eligible for a specific program get invited. For example, if IRCC holds a round specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), only PNP-eligible candidates receive an ITA.
- Category-based rounds of invitations: The Minister establishes a category to meet a specific economic goal. The system then invites top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category.
Processing Your Invitation to Apply
Candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination will continue receiving invitations through general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds. Receiving an ITA is a critical step, but submitting a flawless permanent residence application comes next. Complex immigration cases require careful strategy and honest advice. A properly prepared application prevents delays and reduces the risk of refusals. SEP Immigration offers professional representation for serious clients seeking realistic options and strong case handling.
What This Data Tells Us
A cutoff of 514 in a CEC round is a real base score with nothing inflating it. No nomination bonus sits behind that number, so it reflects the actual competitive level of the in-Canada pool.
Two thousand invitations is a moderate round. IRCC is releasing candidates steadily rather than clearing the pool, which keeps the cutoff in a narrow band from one round to the next.
The tie-breaking timestamp of September 24, 2025 is the detail worth reading closely. Candidates sitting exactly at 514 had profiles roughly seven months old, which shows how slowly the pool moves at that score level.
Choosing the Canadian Experience Class again signals where IRCC's priority sits. Candidates with Canadian work experience and valid status integrate into the labour market fastest, and that has shaped most rounds this year.
For candidates below 514, language results are usually the fastest lever, followed by a provincial nomination. For those invited, the 60-day window is the whole task, and an incomplete application is refused rather than returned.
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