The latest Express Entry draw targets skilled workers with domestic experience, aligning with Ottawa’s broader strategy to balance permanent and temporary residency levels.
Canada has invited an additional 2,000 foreign workers to apply for permanent residency, marking the latest step in the government’s ongoing effort to transition tens of thousands of temporary workers into permanent residents.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced earlier this year that it is rolling out a targeted initiative to provide up to 33,000 skilled temporary foreign workers with pathways to permanent residency across 2026 and 2027.
IRCC spokesperson Matthew Kroputch told *Daily Hive* that the initiative specifically focuses on individuals already contributing to the Canadian economy, particularly in sectors facing high labor demand.
“This initiative recognizes the strong community ties and contributions to the Canadian economy made by individuals already working here, including in rural areas and labor-shortage sectors,” Kroputch said.
Under the latest Express Entry draw under the Canadian Experience Class, the department issued invitations to 2,000 candidates with domestic work experience seeking permanent status.
Eligible candidates in the draw were required to have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 519, alongside a profile submitted prior to the cutoff on March 26, 2026.
So far this year, IRCC has issued 128,732 invitations through various Express Entry draw categories, which include French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services sectors, and provincial nominee programs.
Receiving an invitation does not automatically grant permanent residency. Instead, it invites candidates to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
According to IRCC, successful applicants have 60 days to complete their applications online, submit required documentation, pay relevant fees, and provide biometrics including fingerprints and photographs.
Application fees for the Express Entry process currently total 1,500 Canadian dollars per candidate, with an additional 270 Canadian dollars required for each dependent child.
Following submission, IRCC reviews the documents to determine if the applicant meets permanent residency requirements. If approved, the candidate officially obtains permanent resident status.
The latest draw comes as Canadian authorities seek to reduce the number of temporary residents while maintaining sustainable levels of permanent immigration.
Under immigration planning targets spanning 2026 to 2028, the government aims to keep permanent resident arrivals below one percent of the domestic population, while reducing the proportion of temporary residents to under five percent of the total population by the end of 2027.