Canada has begun the second half of January with another large Express Entry draw targeting candidates with Canadian work experience.
On January 21, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut off score was 509.
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For CEC candidates, a draw of this size can reshape the Express Entry pool quickly. If IRCC continues issuing similarly large volumes of ITAs to CEC candidates in upcoming rounds, the CRS cut off is likely to continue trending downward.
Under this scenario, a drop below 500 by mid to late February 2026 becomes a realistic possibility.
Below is a breakdown of today’s draw results, what to do if you received an ITA, common refusal risks, and strategic next steps if you were not invited.
Express Entry CEC Draw Results for January 21, 2026
IRCC reported the following official draw details:
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Program | Canadian Experience Class |
| Date and time | January 21, 2026 |
| CRS cut off score | 509 |
| ITAs issued | 6,000 |
| Rank required | 6,000 or above |
| Tie breaking rule | October 29, 2025 at 04:35:24 UTC |
IRCC confirmed that 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 Mid to Late February 2026?
The key question is not whether a CRS score below 500 is possible, but what conditions would make it likely.
A drop below 500 becomes plausible if most of the following continue over the next several weeks:
- IRCC continues program specific CEC draws rather than mainly PNP only rounds.
- Each CEC draw issues several thousand ITAs, typically between 4,000 and 8,000.
- The number of new profiles entering the pool above 500 does not exceed the number being removed.
However, several factors could slow or prevent a drop below 500:
- A surge of new high scoring profiles, such as recent Canadian graduates or candidates with improved language results.
- A shift toward smaller or more targeted draws.
- More frequent PNP only draws that do not directly lower the CEC cut off.
The practical takeaway is that large CEC draws place downward pressure on CRS scores, but the pool remains dynamic. Candidates should prepare as though an invitation may arrive soon while continuing to improve their score.
What to Do If You Received an ITA
An ITA is not approval. It is a time limited invitation to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
IRCC allows 60 days from the date of invitation to submit the application. Errors or inconsistencies at this stage can lead to refusal or misrepresentation findings.
First 24 to 48 Hours After Receiving an ITA
- Log in to your IRCC secure account and carefully read the ITA letter.
- Save or screenshot the ITA for your records.
- Create a checklist for all required documents.
- Review every CRS point you claimed and confirm you can prove each one.
- Book your upfront medical exam as soon as possible.
- Begin requesting police certificates immediately, as processing times can be lengthy.
Failure to submit within 60 days without declining the ITA will cause the invitation to expire and your profile to be removed from the pool.
Typical Document Checklist for a CEC eAPR
While requirements vary by case, most CEC applicants must submit:
- Passport or travel document
- Language test results
- Proof of education, if applicable
- Canadian work experience documentation
- Police certificates
- Medical exam confirmation
- Digital photos
For CEC applicants, refusals most often result from problems with Canadian work experience documentation, particularly job duties and inconsistencies between the profile and supporting evidence.
Red Flags That Can Lead to Refusal or Misrepresentation
IRCC warns that providing false information or omitting important details can lead to refusal, inadmissibility, and a five year ban from applying.
Common risk areas include:
Work Experience Issues
- Job duties that do not match the claimed NOC or TEER.
- Employer letters missing required details such as hours, wages, duties, or dates.
- Gaps between pay records and claimed employment.
- Claiming ineligible work experience.
- Inflated hours or unrealistic overlapping roles.
CRS Integrity Issues
- Claiming points without supporting documents.
- Using expired language test results.
- Incorrect education proof or ECA use.
- Misstating marital status or spouse credentials.
Personal History Issues
- Inconsistent address, employment, study, or travel histories.
- Undeclared refusals or prior immigration issues.
- Missing or inconsistent family declarations.
Document Quality Issues
- Blurry or unreadable scans.
- Missing certified translations.
- Uploading incorrect documents without explanation.
Proof of Funds Confusion
CEC applicants generally do not need proof of funds. If the system requests it, applicants should upload a letter explaining the exemption. Uploading nothing or irrelevant documents can trigger unnecessary scrutiny.
If You Did Not Receive an ITA
Not receiving an ITA does not mean you are out of the process. It means your strategy needs to match current draw trends.
Start by:
- Confirming your CRS score is accurate and fully supported by documents.
- Identifying realistic score improvements you can make in the next 30 to 60 days.
CRS Score Between 500 and 508
- Keep your profile accurate and up to date.
- Add new qualifying work experience as soon as it is completed.
- Retake language tests if improvement is realistic.
- Remember that tie breaking can matter if your score matches the cut off.
CRS Score Below 500
Large CEC draws can shift outcomes quickly, but candidates should remain proactive:
- Improve language scores.
- Add French test results if competitive.
- Increase Canadian work experience.
- Add Canadian education credentials if applicable.
- Review spouse or partner points.
Final Takeaway
The January 21, 2026 CEC draw shows that IRCC is willing to issue large numbers of permanent residence invitations to candidates with Canadian work experience. A 509 cut off demonstrates how quickly the pool can shift when thousands of ITAs are issued at once.
If large CEC draws continue, a CRS score below 500 by mid to late February 2026 is possible, but candidates should treat this as a scenario to prepare for, not a guarantee.
If you received an ITA, the priority is clear. Act quickly, document every CRS point you claimed, follow the 60 day deadline, and avoid the documentation and consistency issues that most often lead to refusal.
