New Express Entry Draw On April 28 Sent 2,000 PR Invitations

Last Updated On 28 April 2026, 7:02 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw on April 28, 2026 that issued 2,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence.

The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited in this round was 514 points.

This is a slight decrease from the 515 cutoff recorded in the previous CEC draw held on April 14, 2026, but it is still 5 points higher than the March 31st CEC draw.

IRCC continues to issue 2,000 invitations per CEC round, making this round the third consecutive draw at this reduced volume.

The shrinking draw sizes throughout 2026 have pushed CRS cutoffs from under 510 at the start of the year to now consistently above 510 since April.

Candidates with scores between 500 and 513 remain stuck in the Express Entry pool with no realistic path to a CEC invitation at current draw volumes.

Express Entry Draw Details For April 28, 2026

The following table contains the official details of today’s Canadian Experience Class draw as published by IRCC.

Draw Detail	Information
Date and Time	April 28, 2026 at 10:36:46 UTC
Draw Category	Canadian Experience Class
Number of Invitations Issued	2,000
CRS Score of Lowest Ranked Candidate	514
Rank Required to Be Invited	2,000 or above
Tie-Breaking Rule	September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC

The tie-breaking rule determines which candidates receive invitations when multiple profiles share the same lowest CRS score.

Candidates who had a CRS score of 514 only received an invitation if they submitted their Express Entry profile before September 24, 2025 at 14:18:43 UTC.

The tie-breaking date of September 2025 is roughly seven months old, which signals a deep backlog of candidates sitting at the 514 CRS level.

Anyone who entered the pool after that date with 514 points did not receive an invitation and must wait for upcoming rounds.

CRS Cutoff Has Shifted From Under 510 To Around 515 In 2026

The CRS cutoff trend in 2026 tells a clear story about how draw size directly controls the minimum score needed for an invitation.

IRCC started the year with an 8,000-invitation CEC draw on January 7, at a CRS cutoff of 511.

As draw sizes decreased from 8,000 to 6,000 to 4,000 throughout January, February, and March, the CRS cutoff dropped as low as 507 on March 17.

That 507 cutoff was the lowest CEC score recorded since August 2024 and gave candidates in the 507 to 510 range a brief window of opportunity.

The situation reversed in April when IRCC reduced CEC draws to just 2,000 invitations per round.

The April 14 draw jumped to 515, and today’s draw settled at 514, confirming that small draw sizes lock the cutoff firmly above 510.

The following table shows every Canadian Experience Class draw held in 2026 and illustrates this pattern.

#	Date	Round type	Invitations issued	CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
413	April 28, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	2,000	514
410	April 14, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	2,000	515
407	March 31, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	2,250	509
404	March 17, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	507
400	March 3, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	508
396	February 17, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	6,000	508
392	January 21, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	6,000	509
390	January 7, 2026	Canadian Experience Class	8,000	511

The total number of CEC invitations issued in 2026 now stands at 34,250 across 8 draws.

Draw volumes have declined by 75% from the January peak of 8,000 to the current level of 2,000.

Unless IRCC increases draw sizes back to 4,000 or more, candidates should expect CRS cutoffs to hover around the 510-515 range for the foreseeable future.

French Language Proficiency Draw Expected Later This Week

IRCC typically follows CEC draws with a category-based selection round within the same week.

Based on the 2026 pattern, a French language proficiency draw is the most probable category-based round expected in the coming days.

French language proficiency has been one of the most active and generous categories in Express Entry this year.

IRCC has held four French language draws in 2026 so far, issuing a combined 22,000 invitations at significantly lower CRS cutoffs than CEC rounds.

The following table shows all French language proficiency draws conducted in 2026.

#	Date	Round type	Invitations issued	CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited
411	April 15, 2026	French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2	4,000	419
405	March 18, 2026	French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2	4,000	393
401	March 4, 2026	French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2	5,500	397
394	February 6, 2026	French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2	8,500	400

The most recent French draw on April 15 required a CRS cutoff of 419, which is dramatically lower than the 514 needed for today’s CEC round.

Candidates with NCLC 7 or higher in all four French language abilities remain eligible for these targeted rounds regardless of their overall CRS score.

The French language proficiency category requires candidates to have test results from the TEF Canada or TCF Canada showing at least NCLC 7 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

French-speaking candidates outside Quebec continue to benefit from one of the most accessible pathways in the entire Express Entry system.

Major Express Entry Overhaul Announced With Public Consultations Now Open

IRCC launched a public consultation on April 23, 2026 on sweeping reforms that represent the biggest structural change to Express Entry since the system launched in 2015.

The government is proposing to merge the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program into a single unified immigration class.

The proposed changes would also overhaul the Comprehensive Ranking System to give more weight to higher earnings and genuine job offers.

A new minimum eligibility standard would require CLB 6 language proficiency across all applicants and one year of skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.

IRCC is also considering a high-wage occupation factor that would award additional CRS points to candidates working in occupations where the median salary exceeds the national median.

The consultation period runs until May 24, 2026, and anyone can participate through the official survey on Canada.ca.

These are proposed changes under active consultation and no final decisions have been made at this time.

Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool should continue preparing their applications under the existing rules while monitoring official IRCC announcements.

What This Draw Means For Candidates In The Express Entry Pool

Candidates with CRS scores of 515 or above are in a strong position to receive invitations in upcoming CEC draws at current volumes.

Those with scores between 510 and 514 are in a competitive range where the outcome depends entirely on whether IRCC maintains or increases draw sizes.

Candidates scoring below 510 should not rely on CEC draws as their primary pathway and must explore alternative strategies immediately.

A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and effectively guarantees an invitation in the next PNP specific draw, bypassing the CEC cutoff entirely.

Improving French language proficiency to NCLC 7 opens access to French category draws where cutoffs have been as low as 393 in 2026.

Candidates can also earn additional CRS points through a new Educational Credential Assessment, improved language test scores, or securing an additional year of skilled work experience.

The Express Entry pool contained over 233,555 candidates as of April 26, 2026, and new profiles continue entering faster than draws can deplete existing inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did the CRS cutoff decrease from 515 to 514 between the April 14 and April 28 draws?

The one-point decrease reflects minor fluctuations in the composition of the Express Entry pool rather than a meaningful shift in competitiveness. Both draws issued exactly 2,000 invitations, so the CRS difference is marginal. Candidates should not interpret this decrease as the beginning of a downward trend because draw size remains the primary factor controlling the cutoff.

How does the tie-breaking rule of September 24, 2025 affect newer Express Entry profiles?

The tie-breaking date means that candidates who created their profiles after September 24, 2025 with a CRS score of exactly 514 were not invited in this round. These candidates need either a higher CRS score or must wait until IRCC works through the existing backlog at the 514 level. Submitting your profile earlier provides you priority when scores are tied at the cutoff.

Will IRCC increase CEC draw sizes back to 4,000 or more in the coming months?

There is no official announcement from IRCC about future draw sizes. However, Canada’s 2026 and 2027 permanent residence target of 380,000 requires continued Express Entry activity throughout the year. If IRCC falls behind its allocation pace, it may increase draw volumes in the second half of 2026, which would push CRS cutoffs lower. The reverse is also possible if IRCC decides to maintain smaller, more targeted rounds.

Can I participate in the Express Entry consultation even if I am not currently in the pool?

Yes, the public consultation is open to everyone, including people living outside Canada with no prior Express Entry experience. IRCC is seeking input from candidates, employers, immigration professionals, and the general public. The survey closes on May 24, 2026, and all feedback submitted will help shape the direction of the proposed reforms.

Is there a way to qualify for both CEC draws and French language draws at the same time?

Yes, a single Express Entry profile is automatically evaluated against all draw types for which the candidate is eligible. If you have qualifying Canadian work experience and also hold NCLC 7 or higher French test results, your profile will be considered for both CEC- specific and French language proficiency draws. This dual eligibility significantly improves your chances of receiving an invitation because you are considered in more rounds per month.

Fact Checked: All data in this article is sourced directly from official IRCC publications on Canada.ca. Draw details, CRS cutoffs, and invitation numbers are verified against the official Express Entry rounds of invitations page.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.