Canada has conducted another Express Entry draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, issuing 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
The draw took place on September 29, 2026, and candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518 to receive an invitation.
Candidates who had a CRS score of exactly 518 were subject to a tie-breaking rule based on the date and time their Express Entry profile was submitted.
Key Details of the September 29, 2026 Express Entry Draw
| Draw Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Canadian Experience Class |
| Date | September 29, 2026 |
| Invitations Issued | 2,000 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 518 |
| Tie-Breaking Date | February 13, 2026 |
| Tie-Breaking Time | 8:48 p.m. UTC |
| Express Entry Draw Type | Program-specific CEC draw |
The latest draw represents the 17th Canadian Experience Class draw of 2026.
CRS Cut-Off Continues to Fall
The September 29 draw continues a recent decline in the CEC CRS threshold.
The previous three CEC draws were:
| Date | ITAs | CRS Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | 1,000 | 523 |
| September 1, 2026 | 2,000 | 521 |
| September 15, 2026 | 2,000 | 519 |
| September 29, 2026 | 2,000 | 518 |
The CRS requirement has therefore fallen by 5 points from the August 18 peak of 523. The September 1 and September 15 draws also invited 2,000 candidates each.
However, a lower cut-off in one draw does not guarantee that future CEC draws will continue at the same level. IRCC determines the number of invitations and ranking threshold for each round separately.
What Is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class is one of the federal economic immigration programs managed through Express Entry.
It is designed for skilled workers who have obtained qualifying work experience in Canada and want to become permanent residents.
To qualify, candidates generally need qualifying Canadian work experience in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. The experience must have been gained while legally authorized to work in Canada and must involve paid employment.
Canadian Work Experience Requirement
Applicants generally need:
- At least 1 year of eligible Canadian work experience;
- Or 1,560 hours of qualifying work experience;
- Experience must have been obtained within the 3 years before applying;
- The work must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3;
- The applicant must have been legally authorized to work in Canada;
- Volunteer work and unpaid internships generally do not count.
The 1,560-hour requirement can be met through full-time or qualifying part-time work arrangements.
Language Requirements for CEC
CEC applicants must take an approved English or French language test and meet the minimum requirement in all four language abilities:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
The minimum language level depends on the TEER category of the applicant’s occupation.
| Occupation TEER | English | French |
|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 | NCLC 7 |
| TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 | NCLC 5 |
Is Education Mandatory for Canadian Experience Class?
There is no mandatory education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class itself.
However, education can increase a candidate’s CRS score. Candidates can receive CRS points for Canadian education or eligible foreign education supported by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
This means that two CEC applicants with similar Canadian work experience can have significantly different CRS scores depending on factors such as:
- Age
- Language results
- Education
- Canadian work experience
- Foreign work experience
- Spouse or partner factors
- Additional CRS factors
IRCC’s CRS system can award up to 1,200 points across its different factors.
What Happens After Receiving an ITA?
Receiving an Invitation to Apply is an important step, but it is not the same as receiving Canadian permanent residence.
Candidates who receive an ITA must submit their complete permanent residence application through Express Entry within the applicable deadline.
IRCC then assesses the application based on factors including:
- Program eligibility;
- Information provided in the Express Entry profile;
- Supporting documentation;
- Admissibility;
- Background requirements;
- Medical and other applicable requirements.
IRCC states that invited Express Entry candidates have 60 days to submit their permanent residence application.
Can CEC Candidates Get a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Candidates already in Canada who have submitted a permanent residence application through Express Entry may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
A BOWP can help eligible applicants maintain their ability to work in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed.
CIC News also notes that eligible family members may qualify for an open work permit depending on the applicable rules.
Applicants should verify their individual eligibility before relying on maintained status or a BOWP.
Canada Continues to Focus on Candidates With Canadian Experience
The latest draw is part of a broader 2026 Express Entry pattern in which IRCC has conducted multiple rounds specifically targeting candidates with Canadian experience.
As of the September 29 draw, Canada had conducted 17 CEC-specific Express Entry rounds in 2026. The September 29 draw brought the total number of ITAs issued through CEC draws during the year to 55,250, according to the latest CIC News draw summary.
CEC candidates should therefore continue monitoring their CRS score, language results, Canadian work experience and Express Entry profile information rather than relying on a single draw’s cut-off.
Key Takeaways
- Canada issued 2,000 ITAs in the September 29, 2026 CEC draw.
- The minimum CRS score was 518.
- The tie-breaking rule applied to candidates at the 518-point threshold.
- The tie-breaking date was February 13, 2026, at 8:48 p.m. UTC.
- The CRS cut-off has declined from 523 on August 18 to 518 on September 29.
- CEC requires qualifying Canadian skilled work experience.
- Eligible work experience generally needs to be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- Applicants need an approved English or French language test.
- There is no mandatory education requirement under CEC, although education can improve CRS ranking.
- An ITA is not permanent residence; candidates must still submit a complete application and satisfy IRCC’s requirements.
Conclusion
The September 29, 2026 Express Entry draw provided 2,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates with an opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residence at a minimum CRS score of 518.
For candidates already working in Canada, the CEC remains an important Express Entry pathway. However, CRS thresholds can change from one round to another, so candidates should keep their Express Entry profiles accurate and look for ways to strengthen factors such as language scores, education and qualifying Canadian work experience.
For the most accurate and current requirements, applicants should consult the official Government of Canada Express Entry information before submitting an application.
