The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on 1 September 2026.
September 1 2026 CEC draw
- CRS cut‑off: 521 points
- Eligibility window: Candidates had to create an Express Entry profile before 03:24 UTC on 18 August 2026.
- ITAs issued: 2,000
Express Entry draw activity in 2026 (to date)
IRCC has conducted 51 draws across several categories. The distribution of draws and total ITAs issued by category is:
| Draw type | Number of draws | ITAs issued (cumulative) |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 15 | 51,250 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 17 | 7,961 |
| French‑Language proficiency | 10 | 50,500 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 2 | 662 |
| Healthcare and social services | 2 | 8,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian work experience | 2 | 750 |
| Trades | 1 | 3,000 |
| Transport | 1 | 300 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 | 4 |
Overall, 117,427 ITAs have been issued through Express Entry in 2026.
Recent draw highlights (selected)
- 31 August 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 697, 562 ITAs
- 19 August 2026 – French‑Language proficiency: CRS 382, 5,000 ITAs
- 18 August 2026 – CEC: CRS 523, 1,000 ITAs
- 5 August 2026 – CEC: CRS 516, 3,000 ITAs
- 23 June 2026 – CEC: CRS 516, 4,000 ITAs (largest CEC draw since March 2025)
What the numbers mean for prospective applicants
- CRS threshold: The 521 cut‑off for the September CEC draw is higher than many earlier draws this year, indicating increased competition for candidates without a provincial nomination or other points‑boosting factors.
- Profile timing: The deadline for profile creation (18 August 2026) was earlier than the draw date, so candidates must ensure their Express Entry profile is active well before any upcoming draw.
- Category trends: Most draws this year have favored candidates already linked to Canada—provincial nominees, French‑language speakers, and those with Canadian work experience—suggesting that additional points from these streams remain valuable.
Practical checklist for CEC candidates
- Verify your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score meets or exceeds the latest cut‑off (currently 521).
- Ensure your Express Entry profile is complete and active before the next draw’s profile‑creation deadline.
- Consider enhancing your score through:
- Obtaining a provincial nomination (adds 600 points).
- Improving language test results (English/French).
- Gaining additional Canadian work experience or education.
For a quick self‑assessment of your Express Entry competitiveness, you can use the online tool referenced by IRCC here.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
