Published by: Di Leone Group – Canadian Immigration Consultants
Date: January 26, 2026
Canada has started the second half of January 2026 with a major Express Entry draw, sending a strong signal to temporary residents and workers with Canadian experience.
On January 21, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was set at 509.
This was one of the largest CEC-specific draws in recent months, and its size has the potential to significantly reshape the Express Entry pool.
📊 Express Entry CEC Draw Results – January 21, 2026
Below are the official details of the draw:
Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Date: January 21, 2026
Number of ITAs issued: 6,000
Lowest CRS score invited: 509
Rank required: 6,000 or higher
Tie-breaking rule: October 29, 2025 at 04:35:24 UTC
Candidates with a CRS score of 509 were invited only if their Express Entry profile was created before the tie-breaking timestamp.
📉 Could the CRS Drop Below 500 by February 2026?
This draw has raised an important question for candidates monitoring Express Entry trends:
Could the CRS score fall below 500 in the coming weeks?
A drop below 500 by mid- to late February 2026 becomes realistic if the following conditions continue:
IRCC keeps running CEC-specific draws, not only PNP rounds
Each draw continues issuing large volumes of ITAs (4,000–8,000+)
The number of new high-scoring profiles does not rebuild the pool faster than IRCC clears it
However, several factors could slow or stop a further CRS drop:
A surge of new profiles scoring above 500
A shift toward smaller or category-based draws
More PNP-only rounds, which do not directly reduce CEC cut-offs
Bottom line: Large CEC draws put downward pressure on CRS scores, but the pool remains dynamic. Candidates should prepare as if an invitation could arrive soon—while still actively working to improve their score.
📩 What to Do If You Received an ITA in This Draw
Receiving an ITA is not an approval. It is a 60-day invitation to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
Immediate Steps (First 24–48 Hours)
Log in to your IRCC secure account and review your ITA letter
Download and save a copy of the ITA for your records
Create a document checklist for every required upload
Review every CRS point claimed and confirm you can prove it
Book your upfront medical exam (mandatory for Express Entry)
Start requesting police certificates immediately, as they can take weeks
Failure to submit a complete application within 60 days will cause the ITA to expire, and your profile will be removed from the pool.
📄 Common Documents Required for a CEC Application
While requirements vary by case, most CEC applications include:
Passport or travel document
Language test results
Proof of education (Canadian credential or ECA, if applicable)
Canadian work experience reference letters
Police certificates
Medical exam confirmation
Digital photos
⚠️ Most CEC refusals are linked to work experience documentation, especially when job duties do not align with the claimed NOC/TEER.
🚨 Red Flags That Can Lead to Refusal or Misrepresentation
IRCC can refuse applications—or impose a 5-year ban—for misrepresentation. Common risk areas include:
Work Experience Issues
Job duties that do not match the claimed NOC
Employer letters missing key details (hours, wages, duties, dates)
Inflated or overlapping work hours
Claiming ineligible work experience
CRS Integrity Problems
Claiming points you cannot prove
Using expired language test results
Incorrect education or ECA claims
Misstating marital or spouse information
Personal History Inconsistencies
Address, work, or study history that does not align
Undeclared refusals, overstays, or immigration issues
Missing or incorrect family declarations
Proof of Funds Confusion
CEC applicants usually do not need proof of settlement funds, but if the system requests it, you should upload a letter of explanation confirming your CEC invitation.
📈 What If You Did NOT Receive an ITA?
Not receiving an invitation does not mean you are out. It means you need a strategy.
If Your CRS Is Between 500 and 508
Keep your profile active and accurate
Update new work experience immediately
Retake language tests if improvement is realistic
Remember that tie-breaking dates matter
If Your CRS Is Below 500
Large CEC draws can move scores quickly—but you should not wait passively.
High-impact ways to increase CRS:
Improve language scores
Add French test results, if competitive
Gain additional Canadian work experience
Add Canadian education credentials
Optimize spouse points (language, education, experience)
🧭 Final Thoughts
The January 21, 2026 Express Entry CEC draw, with 6,000 ITAs and a CRS cut-off of 509, confirms that Canada is prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience.
If large CEC draws continue, a sub-500 CRS cut-off is possible—but it should be treated as a scenario to prepare for, not a guarantee.
If you received an ITA, act fast, document everything accurately, and avoid common refusal triggers.
If you did not, now is the time to optimize your profile strategically.
📞 Need a Clear Express Entry Strategy?
At DLG, we help candidates analyze, optimize, and execute their immigration plan with precision—no guesswork, no wasted time.
👉 Contact us today and take control of your Express Entry outcome.