Express Entry CEC Draws April 2026 Recap — Every Cutoff and ITA Count
IRCC issued 3,800 invitations to apply (ITAs) across two Canadian Experience Class draws in April 2026. CRS cutoffs continued the steady descent that began in late February — down from 555 (CEC, Feb 11) to 539 (CEC, April 21). Here's the complete April picture.
April 2026 draws at a glance
| Date | Category | ITAs | CRS cutoff | Tie-break |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 14 | CEC only | 2,000 | 547 | 2025-09-12 |
| April 21 | CEC only | 1,800 | 539 | 2025-11-02 |
Both draws were category-specific (CEC only) — the federal government has not run a general all-program draw since January 8, 2026. That pattern continues a deliberate IRCC strategy: prioritize candidates already working in Canada and reduce the all-program backlog before reopening it.
What the 8-point CRS drop means
From April 14 to April 21, the cutoff fell 8 points in just one week. That's the steepest weekly drop in 2026 and signals that IRCC is actively working through the higher-CRS portion of the CEC pool. For candidates sitting in the 530–545 range, this is the first realistic window in months.
If you're recalculating your score after a recent change (new job, language test retake, spouse arrival), our CRS calculator uses the official IRCC point grid.
Tie-break interpretation
The April 21 tie-break date of November 2, 2025 means: if your CRS score equals 539, you only received an ITA if your Express Entry profile was submitted on or before November 2, 2025. Profiles submitted between November 3, 2025 and April 21, 2026 with CRS = 539 will roll into the next CEC draw.
Provincial Nominee Program activity
Federal PNP draws were quiet in April — IRCC issued no PNP-only ITAs. However, several provincial streams ran their own nomination rounds:
- Ontario OINP: Tech draw on April 9, 1,200 nominations at NOC categories 21231, 21232, 21234
- BC PNP: Tech draw on April 16, 188 invitations at varying minimum scores by stream
- Alberta AAIP: Tourism & hospitality draw on April 15, 60 invitations at CRS 300+
What to expect in May
Based on the April pace and IRCC's published 2026 levels plan (124,680 federal economic-class admissions targeted), May should see at least two CEC draws plus the first French-language category draw of Q2. We expect:
- Two more CEC-only draws (mid-May and late-May), each between 1,500–2,200 ITAs
- A French-language category draw at CRS 380–410, roughly 800–1,200 ITAs
- Possible all-program draw resumption in late May or early June if backlog targets are hit
If the steady decline continues, CRS cutoffs could touch the 525–530 range by month-end. Track every draw on our Express Entry tracker.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — Express Entry rounds of invitations (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations.html).
Editorial disclaimer
This is news reporting by LoonieLabs Editorial for general information only. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Markets coverage is reported analysis, not personalized advice — we hold no positions in individual securities discussed and accept no paid placement. Verify quotes, rates, benefit amounts, and dollar figures on the official source before acting. See our methodology for sourcing and corrections policy. Last reviewed: April 22, 2026.
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Written and reviewed by Shrey Patel — Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Winnipeg, MB · Fact-checked by our Immigration reviewer · Last reviewed April 22, 2026 · LinkedIn
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