Express Entry CEC Draw – June 23, 2026: 4,000 Invitations Issued at CRS 516

IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply on June 23, 2026, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 516.

Here is what the draw results mean and what candidates should consider based on their CRS score, profile date, and Canadian work experience.

June 23, 2026 CEC Draw Results

This was the largest CEC draw since March 17, 2026, when IRCC also issued 4,000 invitations, although the earlier cutoff was lower at 507.

It was also the second Express Entry draw in two days, following the June 22 PNP draw, which issued 955 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 730.

What Does a CRS Score of 516 Mean for CEC Candidates?

A cutoff of 516 is slightly higher than several earlier CEC draws in 2026, but it remains within the range seen during the year.

CEC cutoffs have moved from the 507–511 range in the earlier part of 2026 to the 514–518 range in April, May, and June.

At the same time, recent invitation volumes have generally been smaller than the large January draws, which issued 8,000 and 6,000 invitations.

The 4,000 invitations issued on June 23 represent an increase from the two April draws, which each issued 2,000 invitations. However, one larger draw does not guarantee that IRCC will continue increasing CEC invitation volumes throughout the summer.

Two Express Entry Draws in Two Days

IRCC held a PNP draw on June 22 and a CEC draw on June 23.

Consecutive draws are not unprecedented. IRCC may conduct program-specific rounds close together when inviting candidates from different parts of the Express Entry pool.

The more important point is that PNP and CEC candidates continue to represent a major share of Express Entry selection activity in 2026.

Together, the two program types now account for 22 of the 32 Express Entry draws held so far this year.

Updated 2026 Express Entry Results

As of June 23, 2026, IRCC has issued 84,796 Invitations to Apply across 32 draws.

CEC draws have issued 41,250 of the 84,796 invitations issued in 2026, representing approximately 49% of the total.

This confirms that candidates with eligible Canadian work experience continue to be a major focus of Express Entry selection in 2026.

What to Do Next Based on Your Situation

If You Received an ITA

You generally have 60 days from the date of the invitation to submit a complete permanent residence application.

Use the first part of that period to verify:

• Your Canadian employment reference letters.
• Your pay statements, T4s, and Notices of Assessment.
• Your language test results.
• Your passport validity.
• Your police certificates.
• Your education records and ECA, if points were claimed for foreign education.
• Your address, travel, and personal history.

CEC applicants are generally not required to provide settlement funds, although the information requested in the online application should still be answered accurately.

Our Canadian Experience Class page explains the documentation commonly required for a CEC application.

If Your CRS Score Was Higher Than 516 but You Did Not Receive an ITA

The tie-breaking rule does not exclude candidates whose scores were higher than 516.

If your CRS score was above 516 and you did not receive an invitation, review whether:

• Your profile was active at the time of the draw.
• You were eligible under the Canadian Experience Class.
• Your language results remained valid.
• Your Canadian work experience was entered correctly.
• Your CRS score had changed before the draw.
• Your profile had expired or become ineligible.

The April 14 tie-breaking deadline applies only to candidates whose CRS score was exactly 516.

If Your CRS Score Was Exactly 516

Candidates with exactly 516 points needed to have created their Express Entry profiles before 12:03 a.m. UTC on April 14, 2026.

If your profile was created after that time, the tie-breaking rule—not your CRS score—would explain why you did not receive an invitation.

If Your CRS Score Is Below 516

CEC cutoffs have ranged from 507 to 518 in 2026. A score in the 490–515 range may be close to recent cutoffs, but no future score can be guaranteed.

Possible ways to improve a CRS score include:

• Improving English or French language results.
• Completing an additional year of eligible Canadian work experience.
• Obtaining an ECA for eligible foreign education.
• Adding a spouse’s language or education factors.
• Developing French-language ability.
• Pursuing an eligible provincial nomination.

Language improvements can sometimes produce a significant increase, particularly when the applicant crosses an important Canadian Language Benchmark threshold.

Our Express Entry strategy services can help identify which factor is most likely to improve your score.

If You Are Starting Your Express Entry Profile

The June 23 result provides a useful benchmark, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed future cutoff.

To qualify for CEC, an applicant generally needs:

• At least one year, or 1,560 hours, of eligible paid skilled work experience in Canada within the three years before applying.
• Work experience gained while authorized to work in Canada under temporary resident status.
• Work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Language results meeting the minimum level for the applicable TEER category.
• Admissibility to Canada.
• An intention to live outside Quebec.

The minimum language requirement is:

• CLB 7 for work experience in TEER 0 or 1.
• CLB 5 for work experience in TEER 2 or 3.

Work completed while self-employed or while studying full-time generally does not count toward the CEC minimum, subject to limited exceptions.

If You Are a Skilled Worker Outside Canada

A CEC-specific draw applies only to candidates who meet Canadian Experience Class requirements.

If you do not have eligible Canadian work experience, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, a Provincial Nominee Program, or a category-based draw may be more relevant.

Creating an accurate Express Entry profile can still position you for future draws that include your program or category.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the CRS cutoff for the June 23, 2026 CEC draw?

The minimum CRS score was 516. Candidates with exactly 516 points also needed to have created their profiles before 12:03 a.m. UTC on April 14, 2026.

How many invitations were issued?

IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply in the June 23, 2026 Canadian Experience Class draw.

Why were draws held on consecutive days?

IRCC may hold program-specific draws close together to invite candidates from different parts of the Express Entry pool. The June 22 round targeted provincial nominees, while the June 23 round targeted CEC candidates.

Is a CRS score of 516 competitive for CEC?

It was sufficient for the June 23 draw, subject to the tie-breaking rule. However, future cutoffs may rise or fall depending on draw size, pool composition, and IRCC’s invitation priorities.

How do I know whether my Canadian work experience qualifies?

The work must generally be paid, completed while authorized to work in Canada, classified in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, and total at least 1,560 eligible hours within the three years before applying. Your duties must also match the lead statement and most main duties of the selected NOC.

This article provides general information and does not constitute immigration advice. Express Entry draws, eligibility rules, category requirements, and processing procedures can change. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or immigration lawyer for advice based on your circumstances.