A total of 2,000 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence in the latest Express Entry draw held on September 29, 2026. The draw targeted candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and had a minimum CRS score of 518.
The latest result continues a recent pattern of CEC draws in which the CRS cutoff has gradually moved downward. However, candidates should remember that a previous CRS cutoff does not guarantee the score that will be required in a future Express Entry draw.
September 29 Express Entry Draw: Key Details
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted a Canadian Experience Class draw on September 29, inviting 2,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence.
The minimum CRS score was 518. A tie-breaking rule was also applied, which means candidates who had exactly 518 points needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before the specified date and time to be included in the invitation round.
| Express Entry Draw Detail | September 29, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Draw number | 446 |
| Program | Canadian Experience Class |
| Invitations issued | 2,000 |
| Minimum CRS score | 518 |
| Draw date | September 29, 2026 |
| Draw time | 10:19:21 UTC |
| Tie-breaking date | February 13, 2026 |
| Tie-breaking time | 20:48:08 UTC |
The tie-breaking rule is particularly relevant for candidates sitting exactly at the cutoff. Having a CRS score of 518 alone did not necessarily mean that every candidate with that score received an ITA in this round.
CRS Cutoff Has Fallen Across Recent CEC Draws
The latest draw is notable because the CRS requirement has moved lower across several recent Canadian Experience Class rounds.
The CEC cutoff was 523 on August 18, followed by 521 on September 1, 519 on September 15 and 518 on September 29.
| Draw Date | CEC Invitations | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | 1,000 | 523 |
| September 1, 2026 | 2,000 | 521 |
| September 15, 2026 | 2,000 | 519 |
| September 29, 2026 | 2,000 | 518 |
This means the latest cutoff is five points lower than the August 18 result. At the same time, applicants should avoid treating this movement as a guaranteed prediction for upcoming draws because IRCC can change the number of invitations and the type of candidates selected in each round.
For candidates preparing their immigration strategy, looking at several recent draws is generally more useful than focusing on one isolated CRS number.
How The 2026 CEC Draws Have Changed
The September 29 draw was the 17th Canadian Experience Class draw of 2026. The number of invitations and CRS requirements have varied throughout the year.
Here is a look at the CEC draws reported so far:
| Date | Invitations | CRS |
|---|---|---|
| January 7 | 8,000 | 511 |
| January 21 | 6,000 | 509 |
| February 17 | 6,000 | 508 |
| March 3 | 4,000 | 508 |
| March 17 | 4,000 | 507 |
| March 31 | 2,250 | 509 |
| April 14 | 2,000 | 515 |
| April 28 | 2,000 | 514 |
| May 27 | 3,000 | 518 |
| June 23 | 4,000 | 516 |
| July 7 | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 21 | 2,000 | 516 |
| August 5 | 3,000 | 516 |
| August 18 | 1,000 | 523 |
| September 1 | 2,000 | 521 |
| September 15 | 2,000 | 519 |
| September 29 | 2,000 | 518 |
The table shows why candidates should look at the wider picture when assessing their chances. Earlier CEC rounds in 2026 recorded CRS cutoffs below the current level, while some later rounds required considerably higher scores.
The number of invitations also changed from one round to another. For example, the January 7 draw issued 8,000 invitations, while the August 18 draw issued only 1,000.
That difference can have a direct effect on the CRS cutoff because Express Entry candidates are ranked against others in the pool.
What Does A CRS Score Of 518 Mean?
A CRS score of 518 is now the latest benchmark from the September 29 CEC draw. Candidates with scores above 518 were above the minimum cutoff for this round, while candidates at exactly 518 needed to satisfy the tie-breaking requirement.
However, candidates should not interpret 518 as a permanent qualifying score for Canadian Experience Class draws.
Express Entry is a ranking system, and the cutoff can change from one invitation round to another. The number of candidates in the pool, the number of invitations issued and the specific type of draw can all influence the final cutoff.
For someone sitting slightly below 518, the practical approach is to identify whether there are legitimate ways to improve the CRS score rather than simply waiting for the next draw.
Candidates With CRS Scores Below 518 Should Review Their Profile
A candidate who is below the latest cutoff still has several areas that may be worth reviewing. The first step should be checking whether the CRS calculation in the Express Entry profile accurately reflects the candidate’s current situation.
Language results are one area that can make a difference. A stronger approved language test result may increase CRS points and can also affect other parts of the ranking calculation depending on the candidate’s circumstances.
Canadian work experience can also affect the CRS calculation. Candidates should make sure that any work experience they claim actually meets the applicable requirements and that their documentation supports what they have declared.
Education, eligible work experience, language ability and other CRS factors should all be reviewed carefully. Small differences can matter when a candidate is close to recent invitation thresholds.
Provincial Nomination Can Significantly Change A Candidate’s CRS
Candidates who do not have a CRS score close to recent CEC cutoffs may also want to understand whether they qualify for a Provincial Nominee Program pathway.
An eligible provincial nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream can provide 600 additional CRS points. This can substantially change a candidate’s ranking in the Express Entry pool.
The PNP route is separate from simply waiting for the next CEC draw, so candidates should check the eligibility requirements of provinces and territories that may match their education, work experience, occupation or other profile factors.
CIKH.ca also covers major Canadian immigration updates and Express Entry developments, including previous draws and changes affecting permanent residence applicants.
Category-Based Express Entry Draws Are Also Important
The Canadian Experience Class is not the only type of Express Entry selection that candidates should watch.
IRCC can conduct category-based draws for candidates who meet specific category requirements. These categories can include areas such as French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport, along with other categories established by IRCC.
This means a candidate who does not receive an ITA through a CEC draw may still have another applicable Express Entry category depending on their qualifications.
The key is to check the actual eligibility requirements rather than assuming that a particular occupation or background automatically qualifies for a category-based draw.
The Tie-Breaking Rule For The September 29 Draw
The tie-breaking rule can be confusing for candidates because it does not change the CRS score itself.
Instead, it is used when multiple candidates have the same CRS score as the lowest-ranked candidate invited in a particular round.
For the September 29, 2026 draw, the tie-breaking date was February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC.
Therefore, candidates who had exactly 518 CRS points needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before that timestamp to fall within the candidates selected for this round.
This is why candidates should not rely only on headlines saying that the CRS cutoff was 518. If your score is exactly at the cutoff, the tie-breaking information can be equally important.
What Happens After Receiving An ITA?
Receiving an Invitation to Apply is an important step, but it does not mean permanent residence has already been approved.
An ITA gives the invited candidate the opportunity to submit a complete permanent residence application through the Express Entry system.
Candidates generally have 60 days to submit their application after receiving an ITA. During this period, they need to provide the required information and supporting documentation.
This is where preparation can save considerable time. Documents such as police certificates, employment records, language test results and other supporting evidence may take time to obtain, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Candidates should also make sure that the information in the final application is consistent with the information declared in their Express Entry profile.
September 29 Draw Followed A PNP Invitation Round
The September 29 CEC draw came shortly after a Provincial Nominee Program draw conducted on September 28.
The September 28 PNP round issued 733 invitations and had a CRS cutoff of 725.
The much higher CRS number in the PNP draw should not be directly compared with the CEC cutoff. Candidates receiving an eligible provincial nomination can receive 600 additional CRS points, which explains why PNP invitation rounds generally have much higher CRS thresholds.
For Express Entry candidates, the sequence of these draws is another reminder that IRCC can conduct different types of invitation rounds close together.
What Should Express Entry Candidates Do Now?
The latest draw provides a useful reference point, but the right next step depends on your individual CRS score and eligibility.
Candidates with 518 CRS or higher should check their Express Entry account and determine whether they were eligible for the September 29 round. Those who received an ITA should begin preparing their permanent residence application and supporting documents.
Candidates with exactly 518 CRS should pay particular attention to the tie-breaking date. The score itself was not the only factor determining selection at the cutoff.
Candidates below 518 CRS should calculate exactly how far they are from the recent CEC threshold. Reviewing language scores, eligible work experience, education and potential provincial nomination opportunities may reveal legitimate ways to strengthen the profile.
Candidates eligible for category-based selection should also monitor those draws rather than focusing exclusively on CEC invitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum CRS score was 518 in the September 29, 2026 Canadian Experience Class draw. IRCC issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply in the round.
A total of 2,000 Invitations to Apply were issued to candidates through the Canadian Experience Class.
The tie-breaking timestamp was February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC. Candidates with exactly 518 CRS points needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before this timestamp to be included under the tie-breaking rule.
Yes, potentially. A previous CRS cutoff does not establish a permanent minimum score for future draws. Candidates can also improve their profiles or potentially qualify under another Express Entry draw category, depending on their circumstances.
No. Express Entry cutoffs can change between invitation rounds. The number of invitations, the candidates in the pool and the type of draw can all affect the minimum CRS score.
Fact Check: This article is based on the September 29, 2026 Express Entry Canadian Experience Class draw, including the 2,000 invitations, 518 CRS cutoff and applicable tie-breaking information announced for the round.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Express Entry rules, CRS requirements, draw sizes and immigration policies can change. Applicants should verify the latest information through official Government of Canada sources or consult a qualified immigration professional.
