IMMERGITY
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #407 on March 31, 2026, issuing 2,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum CRS score required was 509 points. Candidates with a CRS score at or above 509, ranked 2,250 or above, received an invitation — with a tie-breaking rule applied based on profile submission date and time.
This draw confirms continued IRCC focus on the CEC stream, which targets candidates already living and working in Canada. If your score is approaching 509, now is the time to run a gap analysis — use our Eligibility Assessment to understand where you stand.
Draw #407 at a Glance
- Draw Date: March 31, 2026
- Draw Number: #407
- Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- CRS Cutoff: 509
- Invitations Issued: 2,250
- Tie-Breaking Rule: Rank 2,250 or above — based on profile submission date/time
What Is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class is one of three programs managed under Express Entry. It is designed for temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, CEC candidates do not need a foreign credential assessment or a job offer — their Canadian work experience speaks for itself.
CEC draws typically attract lower CRS cutoffs than all-program draws because the pool is more competitive — candidates already in Canada tend to have higher language scores and Canadian job titles that boost their CRS. Use our Eligibility Assessment to see if CEC is your fastest path to PR.
CRS 509 — What Does It Mean for Your Profile?
A cutoff of 509 is moderate for a CEC-specific draw. Over the past 12 months, CEC draw cutoffs have ranged from the low 490s to the mid-520s depending on pool size and IRCC targets. A score of 509 means candidates with strong language scores (CLB 9–10) and at least 1 year of NOC TEER 0–3 Canadian experience were well-positioned.
Not sure what your CRS score is or how to improve it? Our CRS Simulator lets you model your exact profile, and the Eligibility Assessment will tell you which stream you qualify for today.
How to Improve Your CRS Before the Next Draw
If you missed this draw by a few points, you have real options:
- Language retesting: Moving from CLB 9 to CLB 10 in any skill can add 6–20+ CRS points depending on your profile. Use our CLB Converter to map your test scores to CLB levels.
- Provincial Nomination: A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS — an instant guarantee of an ITA in the next all-program draw. Check your eligibility with our PNP Program Finder.
- Canadian work experience: Each additional year of Canadian experience adds points. If you are currently working in Canada, staying until you complete a second year may push you over the cutoff.
- Education upgrade: Completing a second degree or diploma in Canada can add CRS points under the additional factors section.
What This Means For You Right Now
If your CRS is 505 or above, you are within striking distance of the next CEC draw. The gap between 505 and 509 can often be closed with a language retest alone. Here is what to do immediately:
- Run your full profile through our Eligibility Assessment — it tells you exactly which streams you qualify for and what is holding your score back.
- Check your language test scores against CLB benchmarks using the CLB Converter.
- If you have Canadian work experience, verify your NOC code and TEER level — misclassification is one of the most common CRS errors we see.
- If you are eligible for a provincial program, a PNP nomination bypasses CRS entirely. Our PNP Program Finder matches you to active streams based on your profile.
My Actual Take
Draw #407 is a positive signal. IRCC is processing CEC candidates consistently, and a cutoff of 509 is accessible for anyone with solid Canadian work experience and a CLB 9+ language score. The pool is competitive, but the math is straightforward — if you are below 509, the path to get there is well-defined.
What I tell my clients: stop watching the draws passively and start engineering your score. Every point has a lever. Book a consultation via our Eligibility Assessment and we will build a concrete CRS improvement plan for your specific profile.