Dear future neighbour,
Canada kept its Express Entry momentum going on September 15, 2026, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited another 2,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence.
See below details of September 15 Express Entry draw:
- Category: Canadian Experience Class
- Draw Date: September 15, 2026
- No. of Invitations: 2,000
- CRS Cutoff Score: 519
- Tie-Breaking Rule: March 26, 2026
This was actually the third CEC draw in a row where the score requirement went down. It fell from 523 on August 18, to 521 on September 1, and now to 519. That’s good news if you’ve been sitting just below the cut-off and watching your score creep closer. It suggests the sharp spike we saw in August, when IRCC issued only 1,000 invitations and pushed the score requirement to its highest point of the year, was more of a one-off than a new normal. Since then, invitation numbers have gone back up to 2,000 per round, and the score needed has been easing back down with them.
With this round, Canada has now held 55 Express Entry draws so far in 2026, bringing the total number of invitations issued this year to well over 120,000.
Who this draw was really for
The Canadian Experience Class is built for people who already have skilled work experience in Canada. To qualify, you generally need:
- At least 12 months of full-time (or the part-time equivalent) skilled work in Canada, in a job classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, completed within the three years before you apply
- A minimum language score of CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, in English or French
- An intention to live outside Quebec
One thing that makes CEC stand out from some of the other Express Entry categories is that you don’t need to show proof of funds. If your work was gained through a valid work permit, including a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and your job matches the NOC code on your profile, that experience should count. Just make sure your paperwork, like pay stubs and reference letters, backs it up.
There’s also a helpful safety net for people already in Canada on a work permit that’s about to expire while their Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) application is still being processed. As long as you stay in Canada, you can keep working under your existing conditions while IRCC finalizes things, and eligible family members may qualify for a BOWP too.
See below how the recent CEC draws have trended
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | CRS Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2026 | 2,000 | 514 |
| May 27, 2026 | 3,000 | 518 |
| June 23, 2026 | 4,000 | 516 |
| July 7, 2026 | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 21, 2026 | 2,000 | 516 |
| August 5, 2026 | 3,000 | 516 |
| August 18, 2026 | 1,000 | 523 |
| September 1, 2026 | 2,000 | 521 |
| September 15, 2026 | 2,000 | 519 |
If you have your sights on permanent residence through Canadian Experience Class, the pattern here matters. Smaller draws tend to push scores up, while larger draws bring them back down. So if your CRS score is close to the 510-520 range, staying active and keeping your profile updated really can pay off within just a few rounds.
Once invited, candidates have 60 calendar days to submit a complete application, so it helps to have your documents ready well before an ITA lands in your inbox.
Not sure where you stand? Let’s find out together
Every draw tells a slightly different story, and CRS cut-offs can shift from one round to the next depending on how many people are in the pool and how big IRCC decides to make that draw. If your score is close to the mark, or if you’re not sure which Express Entry category fits your background best, the smartest move is to get a clear picture of your options before the next draw happens, not after.
At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help people navigate exactly this kind of decision, whether it’s positioning your profile for Express Entry, exploring a provincial nomination, applying for a work permit or postgraduate work permit, sponsoring a spouse, planning a visit or super visa, working toward citizenship, or even sorting out school admissions. Book a consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s discuss the right path for your Canadian journey.