Canada’s latest Express Entry draw issued 2,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class on September 29, 2026.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score fell to 518, extending a decline that has followed the program’s August peak.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada identified the round as draw number 446.
The result gives eligible candidates with Canadian work experience another opportunity to submit a permanent residence application through Express Entry.
Table of Contents
Express Entry draw results for September 29
| Draw detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Round type | Canadian Experience Class |
| Invitations issued | 2,000 |
| Lowest CRS score | 518 |
| Round number | 446 |
| Tie-breaking rule | Profiles submitted before February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC |
IRCC’s published Express Entry results explain that candidates at the lowest qualifying score are separated using the date and time their profiles were submitted.
As a result, a candidate with 518 points was not automatically selected unless their profile had been submitted before the stated tie-breaking timestamp.
CRS cutoff continues to move lower
The September 29 cutoff was one point below the 519 threshold recorded in the September 15 Canadian Experience Class draw.
It was also five points below the 523 cutoff reached on August 18, when IRCC issued 1,000 invitations.
The recent sequence shows the CEC threshold moving from 523 to 521, then 519 and now 518 across successive CEC rounds.
Earlier in the year, larger CEC rounds generally reached deeper into the Express Entry pool and produced lower CRS thresholds.
The 2026 CEC low remains 507, recorded during the March 17 round that issued 4,000 invitations, according to the draw history supplied for this report.
The current 518 cutoff matches the threshold from the May 27 CEC draw, although that earlier round issued 3,000 invitations.
How the latest round fits the recent schedule
The CEC draw followed a Provincial Nominee Program round held on September 28, when IRCC issued 733 invitations at a CRS score of 725.
The back-to-back pattern has become a recurring feature of the 2026 Express Entry schedule, with provincial nominee selections often followed by a CEC round.
IRCC says Express Entry rounds are used to invite the highest-ranking eligible candidates in the pool, with program-specific rounds applying additional eligibility requirements.
The September 29 result was the 17th CEC-specific selection of 2026, with 55,250 CEC invitations reported across those rounds.
What candidates below CRS 518 can do
Candidates below 518 cannot rely on the latest CEC round, but they may still be able to improve their ranking or qualify through another Express Entry selection category.
- Retake an approved language test if higher results could improve core or skill-transferability points.
- Update the profile after obtaining additional qualifying work experience or education.
- Check eligibility for French-language, healthcare, trades, transport or other category-based rounds.
- Explore provincial nomination opportunities, which can add 600 CRS points.
IRCC currently lists French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport among its category-based selection areas.
A provincial nomination remains the largest single CRS increase available to eligible Express Entry candidates.
What invited candidates should do next
People who received an invitation should review every answer in their Express Entry profile before submitting their permanent residence application.
IRCC gives invited candidates 60 days to submit a complete application, including supporting documents and required evidence.
Applicants should begin collecting police certificates, language-test results, employment records, identity documents and other required materials as soon as possible.
An invitation is not a final approval, and applicants must still satisfy program eligibility and admissibility requirements before permanent residence can be granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations were issued in the September 29 Express Entry draw?
IRCC issued 2,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class.
What was the CRS cutoff in the latest CEC draw?
The lowest CRS score was 518.
What was the tie-breaking rule for the September 29 draw?
Candidates with 518 points needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC.
What happens after receiving an Express Entry invitation?
The invited candidate has 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application with the required supporting documents.
Can candidates below CRS 518 still qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry?
Possibly. Candidates may improve their CRS score, qualify for a category-based draw or pursue a provincial nomination if they meet the relevant requirements.
Fact-Checked: Key draw figures, the CRS cutoff, invitation total and tie-breaking timestamp were checked against IRCC’s Express Entry rounds information and the supplied Immigration News Canada report. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal or immigration advice; applicants should consult a licensed Canadian immigration professional about their circumstances.