Express Entry in September 2026: 8 draws, 11,288 invitations

IRCC held 8 Express Entry draws in September 2026, issuing 11,288 invitations, while the CEC cut-off slipped from 521 to 518.

The month's draws

IRCC held 8 Express Entry rounds in September 2026 and issued a total of 11,288 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence: September 1, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), 2,000 ITAs, cut-off 521; September 3, physicians with Canadian work experience, 229 ITAs, cut-off 198; September 4, healthcare and social services, 3,500 ITAs, cut-off 475; September 14, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), 576 ITAs, cut-off 734; September 15, CEC, 2,000 ITAs, cut-off 519; September 16, senior managers with Canadian work experience, 250 ITAs, cut-off 389; September 28, PNP, 733 ITAs, cut-off 725; September 29, CEC, 2,000 ITAs, cut-off 518.

Who is affected

All three CEC rounds invited 2,000 candidates, and the cut-off edged down from 521 to 518. Candidates with Canadian work experience and scores between 510 and 520 should watch the coming rounds.

The healthcare and social services round was the largest of the month. The physician and senior manager categories had much lower cut-offs, but both require Canadian work experience. PNP cut-offs are above 700 because a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points.

What it means for you

September followed the pattern of recent months: CEC, PNP and occupation-based category rounds. For candidates outside Canada, an invitation based on CRS score alone remains hard to get, so a provincial nomination or eligibility for a category is the more realistic route.

Keep your language test results and work experience up to date in your profile, and check whether your occupation fits one of the Express Entry categories.

Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.