Express Entry CEC Draw on September 29, 2026: 2,000 ITAs at CRS 518 — A Review of 17 Canadian Experience Class Draws in 2026

The September 29, 2026 CEC draw: key figures

On September 29, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held an Express Entry draw limited to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). According to figures reported by CIC News:

This was the 58th Express Entry draw of 2026. It came one day after the September 28 Provincial Nominee Program draw, which issued 733 ITAs at a CRS cutoff of 725.

For temporary residents working in Canada on a PGWP or another work permit, the CEC is the most direct federal route to permanent residence. Following CEC cutoffs, both draw by draw and across the year, gives a more realistic basis for assessing an individual profile.

All 17 CEC draws in 2026

As of September 29, 2026, IRCC has held 17 CEC-specific draws, issuing 55,250 ITAs in total. Across all categories, Express Entry has issued 131,715 ITAs in 58 draws this year, so CEC draws account for roughly 42% of invitations.

What the data shows:

A cutoff score only shows the lowest-ranked candidate invited in that particular round. It does not predict future cutoffs, which depend on how many ITAs IRCC issues and the distribution of scores in the pool at the time.

CEC eligibility basics

To be considered in a CEC draw, candidates must meet these minimum requirements:

Work performed while a full-time student and self-employment do not count toward CEC experience. The CEC has no proof-of-funds requirement.

Meeting these criteria makes a profile eligible for the pool. Whether it receives an invitation depends on its CRS score relative to each draw's cutoff.

Practical steps

1. Confirm your current CRS score. Use IRCC's official CRS tool and compare the result with the 514–523 range seen in CEC draws since April 2026. Count Canadian work experience accurately; reaching one and two years each changes the score.

2. Review the factors that can raise your score. Under the CRS structure, the factors that usually have the clearest effect are language results (particularly CLB 9 in all four abilities), French as a second language, additional Canadian work experience, and a provincial nomination (600 points). How feasible each one is depends on the individual profile.

3. Check document validity. Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core) are valid for two years. An Express Entry profile remains valid for 12 months. If your work permit is nearing expiry, plan to maintain status while you wait for a possible invitation.

4. Prepare documents before an ITA arrives. After an invitation, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Items that take time, such as police certificates (from Vietnam and any country lived in for six months or more), employer reference letters and the immigration medical exam, are best prepared early.

5. Consider a provincial pathway in parallel. For people living in Manitoba, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has streams for workers and graduates of Manitoba institutions. An Express Entry-aligned nomination adds 600 CRS points.

Conclusion

The September 29, 2026 CEC draw, with 2,000 ITAs at a cutoff of 518, fits the pattern seen through the year: smaller rounds than in January to March, and cutoffs holding between the low 510s and low 520s. For candidates with Canadian work experience, the useful steps are to calculate the CRS score accurately, prepare documents early and consider additional pathways such as a PNP.

To better understand the Canadian Experience Class, Manitoba provincial nomination, and the options that fit your specific profile, contact Nonsuch Immigration directly via Zalo 0946 749 585 or WhatsApp 204 963 9288.