EXPRESS ENTRY: PNP AND CEC INVITATIONS ISSUED AS CEC CRS HOLDS AT 518
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) out September with two more Express Entry draws, inviting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on September 28 and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates on September 29. Together, the two rounds issued 2,733 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
This Round at a Glance
As of September 27, 2026, there were 229,904 candidate profiles registered in the Express Entry pool. With both draws included, IRCC has now issued 131,715 invitations across 58 Express Entry draws in 2026, including 9,270 to provincial nominees through 19 PNP-targeted rounds this year.
Draw #445: Provincial Nominee Program
On September 28, IRCC invited 733 PNP candidates at a cut-off of 725 points — 9 points lower than the previous PNP-targeted round, but still firmly in the range PNP draws have held throughout September. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is why PNP-specific draws consistently carry the highest thresholds of any Express Entry round type.
Draw #446: Canadian Experience Class
A day later, on September 29, IRCC issued 2,000 ITAs to CEC candidates at a cut-off of 518 — one point lower than the previous CEC-targeted round, and essentially in line with the 516–521 range CEC draws have held for the past two months. This was the 17th CEC-specific draw of 2026, bringing the year’s CEC total to 55,250 invitations — by far the highest-volume Express Entry category this year.
What This Means If You’re in the Pool
Both categories remain highly active heading into October. If you hold a provincial nomination, the PNP cut-off easing to 725 is still a high bar, so confirming every eligible CRS point is accounted for remains essential. If you’re relying on Canadian work experience, the CEC threshold has been remarkably stable for weeks, giving a reasonably predictable target to plan around.
Thinking About Your Own Express Entry Strategy?
Do you have a provincial nomination or Canadian work experience and still haven’t seen an ITA with your name on it? Every draw shifts the competitive landscape, and knowing exactly where your CRS score stands is the difference between waiting indefinitely in the pool and moving your application forward.
At Global Opportunities, we track every IRCC draw as it happens and help you understand exactly where you stand. Contact us today to get a clear read on your Express Entry strategy.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, official Express Entry rounds of invitations data; [parte de esta línea es demasiado pequeña para leerse con total precisión] draws #445–446 (September 28–29, 2026).