Canada Express Entry Draw: 2,000 CEC Candidates Invited as CRS Drops to 518

Canada has wrapped up September with another Express Entry draw, bringing some welcome movement for candidates waiting in the pool.

Canada has wrapped up September with another Express Entry draw, bringing some welcome movement for candidates waiting in the pool.

On September 29, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score required in this round was 518.

September 29 Draw at a Glance

Program: Canadian Experience Class
ITAs issued: 2,000
CRS cut-off: 518
Draw date: September 29, 2026

What makes this draw interesting is the slight movement in the CRS score.

In the previous CEC draw on September 15, IRCC invited 2,000 candidates with a cut-off of 519. This time, the score has slipped to 518.

A one-point drop may not look significant on paper, but for candidates sitting close to the cut-off, even a small change can make a big difference.

Two Express Entry Draws in Two Days

The latest invitation round also follows the Provincial Nominee Program draw held on September 28, when 733 candidates received invitations with a minimum CRS score of 725.

With draws taking place on consecutive days, September has ended on an active note for Canada's Express Entry system.

For candidates currently in the pool, the message is simple: stay prepared.

CRS scores can move from one round to another, and there is no certainty about what the next cut-off will be. Candidates should keep their profiles updated and make sure changes in work experience, language results, education or other relevant factors are reflected correctly.

Those with lower CRS scores should also look beyond waiting for a general score reduction. Provincial nomination opportunities, stronger language results, French-language proficiency and other eligible CRS improvements may open additional possibilities.

For the 2,000 candidates invited on September 29, the focus now shifts from waiting in the Express Entry pool to preparing a complete permanent residence application within the applicable deadline.

As Canada continues with Express Entry selections, candidates planning for Canada PR in 2026 should keep a close watch on upcoming draws and changing immigration opportunities.

Visas Avenue will continue to bring you important Express Entry and Canada immigration updates as they happen.

Planning your Canada PR journey?
Speak with the Visas Avenue team to understand the immigration pathways that may suit your profile.

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- Cathlin