What happened

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ran round #347 of the Express Entry program on April 14, 2026. The draw was restricted to Canadian Experience Class candidates — meaning only people with at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience in the past three years were considered. 2,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued at a minimum CRS score of 547.

That's the highest CEC-only cut-off so far this year, up from 535 on March 31 and 528 on March 17. The trend is clear: the pool is getting deeper as international students and post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holders gain Canadian experience and re-enter Express Entry with stronger profiles. The tie-breaker date was set at April 9, 2026 at 14:32:18 UTC — meaning candidates with exactly 547 CRS points only got an ITA if their profile was created before that timestamp.

What it means for you

If your CRS score is below 540, a CEC-only draw is now out of reach without provincial nomination (which adds 600 points and effectively guarantees an ITA). If you're between 540–560, you're in the active competition zone — every additional language test point or letter of reference matters.

For PGWP holders nearing expiry, the urgency is real: you need at least 12 months of NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 work experience to qualify for CEC, and ideally a CRS score boost from a CELPIP-General/IELTS-General test result of CLB 9+ in all four abilities. Use our CRS calculator to model what each adjustment is worth before paying for new tests or assessments.

The numbers

Source: IRCC Ministerial Instructions and Express Entry rounds of invitations history.

What's next

IRCC has signalled in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan that category-based selection (healthcare, French-language proficiency, trades) and Provincial Nominee Program draws will dominate the rest of Q2. Pure CEC and general draws are likely to remain selective and infrequent. Track every round and the rolling cut-off trend on our Express Entry tracker.

If you're considering a PNP route to bridge the gap, our PR application cost breakdown walks through the full federal + provincial fee stack so you can budget realistically.

Sources

• IRCC — Express Entry rounds of invitations
• CIC News — coverage of round #347, April 14, 2026
• IRCC — Express Entry program overview

Not immigration advice. Verify draw results, eligibility, and ITA tie-breakers on the official IRCC website. For complex cases, consult a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer. Last reviewed: April 21, 2026.