Canada Immigration Update: Latest Express Entry Draw on January 21, 2026
Canada has recently conducted a significant Express Entry draw, targeting individuals with existing 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 was set at 509 for this draw.
This draw size has the potential to impact the candidate pool dramatically. If IRCC continues to issue large numbers of ITAs to CEC candidates in upcoming rounds, we might see a decrease in the CRS cut-off score.
If this trend continues, it is possible that the CRS cut-off could drop below 500 by mid- to late February 2026.
Below are the key highlights from the recent draw, guidance for those who received an ITA, factors that could lead to application refusal, and next steps for those who were not invited.
Express Entry CEC Draw Results For January 21, 2026
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- Program: Canadian Experience Class
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- Date and Time: January 21, 2026
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- CRS score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 509
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- Number of Invitations Issued: 6,000
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- Tie-Breaking Rule: October 29, 2025 at 04:35:24 UTC
IRCC also clarified that candidates at the cut-off score were only invited if their Express Entry profile was created before the tie-breaking timestamp.
Could CRS Drop Below 500 By Mid To Late February 2026?
For individuals monitoring score movements, the possibility of the CRS falling below 500 depends on certain conditions remaining consistent in the coming weeks. Factors that could contribute to a sub-500 cut-off include large CEC rounds, limited profile inflow above 500, and ongoing program-specific draws.
However, there are scenarios that could prevent a drop below 500, such as an influx of high-scoring profiles or a shift towards smaller, targeted draws.
The key takeaway is that while significant CEC ITAs may lower the cut-off, candidates should prepare for potential invitations while enhancing their profiles.
How To Respond If You Received An ITA In Today’s Express Entry Draw
Receiving an ITA does not guarantee approval. It is a time-bound invitation to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
