Express Entry CEC Draw #390: 8,000 ITAs Issued With CRS 511 – What to Do If You Missed It

If you were inside Canada during the January 7, 2026 Express Entry draw and did not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), this is probably the question running through your mind right now: How close was I, and what do I do next?

On January 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #390, targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). In this round, 8,000 ITAs were issued with a CRS cut-off score of 511.

That number matters. A lot.

For many people already working and living in Canada, this draw was not discouraging. It was a signal that permanent residence is within reach, but only if the profile is positioned properly.

Express Entry CEC Draw #390 – Official Details From IRCC

According to IRCC’s official Express Entry rounds of invitations, the draw details were as follows:

Draw date: January 7, 2026
Program: Canadian Experience Class
Invitations issued: 8,000
CRS cut-off score: 511
Tie-breaking rule: June 10, 2025 at 03:59 PM UTC

To be invited, candidates needed to meet the CRS cut-off and have an Express Entry profile created before the tie-break date.

Official IRCC source:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations.html

Why This Draw Is a Big Deal for In-Canada Candidates

Outside of the exceptional pandemic-era CEC draw in 2021, this is the largest Canadian Experience Class draw ever conducted under normal conditions. Even more important, the CRS cut-off of 511 is lower than what many candidates saw throughout most of 2025.

What this tells us is simple. IRCC is actively prioritizing people who are already in Canada, already working, and already contributing to the economy.

If your CRS score is anywhere near the low-to-mid 500 range, this draw confirmed that you are not far off. Most people who missed this draw did not miss it by much.

Why Many Strong Profiles Still Missed the January CEC Draw

This is where things get real. Most candidates who missed this draw did not make obvious mistakes. They did the forms themselves, entered their details carefully, and followed instructions.

Where profiles usually fall short is not effort. It is optimization.

Language scores are often underestimated

Many candidates stop once they reach CLB 9, assuming that is “good enough.” In reality, moving from CLB 9 to CLB 10 can unlock a meaningful CRS increase, especially for candidates with Canadian work experience.

The problem is that many people retake IELTS or CELPIP without knowing whether it actually benefits their profile. In some cases, it adds points. In others, it changes nothing. That calculation needs to be done properly.

Canadian work experience timing is off

We regularly see candidates who were just weeks or months away from completing another full year of Canadian work experience. Others updated their profiles late or entered work history in a way that did not count correctly.

Timing matters in Express Entry. A small delay can mean missing an entire draw.

Education points are quietly lost

Education-related CRS losses are common and often invisible. Missing or incorrect Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs), misunderstood equivalencies, or incorrectly entered education history can quietly reduce scores without triggering any warning.

Spouse factors are ignored

Spouse language results, education, and work experience can significantly impact CRS. In some cases, restructuring the profile or changing the principal applicant results in an immediate score increase without adding any new credentials.

This is one of the most overlooked opportunities.

Provincial nomination planning starts too late

Many candidates believe Provincial Nominee Program invitations are random. They are not. Provinces target specific occupations, locations, and profile signals.

Without advance planning, candidates miss pathways that were realistically available to them.

Related reading:
https://imprintimmigration.com/post/immigration-consultant-near-me-canada

How to Improve Your CRS Score After the January 2026 Draw

If you were close to the CRS cut-off of 511, improving your score is usually about being precise, not starting over.

This is where professional guidance makes a real difference.

A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant can help identify where CRS points are being lost, assess whether language retakes are worth it, review Canadian work experience eligibility and timing, evaluate spouse contribution strategies, and map out realistic provincial nomination options.

At this stage, guessing is risky. One incorrect assumption can delay permanent residence by months or even years.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Act

January draws set the tone for the entire year. IRCC issues invitations early so applications can be processed and finalized within the same calendar year.

If CEC draws continue at this pace, candidates who optimize their profiles now are far more likely to benefit from upcoming rounds. Waiting until the next draw announcement often means missing the chance to fix what actually matters.

Related update:
https://imprintimmigration.com/post/canada-immigration-rules-dec-2025

Final Thoughts

Express Entry CEC Draw #390 made one thing very clear. IRCC is serious about transitioning in-Canada workers to permanent residence, and CRS cut-offs are no longer out of reach for many candidates.

If you missed this draw by a few points, that is not a setback. It is a signal that you are close, and close is exactly where the right advice makes the biggest difference.

Book a Consultation With an Immigration Consultant

If you are inside Canada, have Canadian work experience, and were close to the CRS cut-off in the January 7, 2026 CEC draw, this is the right time to get your profile reviewed.

Book a one-on-one consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant at Imprint Immigration Services. We help in-Canada candidates identify missed CRS points, plan for upcoming draws, and avoid costly mistakes.

Book your appointment here:
https://imprintimmigration.com/contact-us

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Express Entry rounds of invitations
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations.html