Canada Express Entry: 2,000 ITAs issued in September 1 draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates

Canada’s immigration department has issued 2,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in the latest Express Entry draw, according to a report by CIC News. The September 1 draw targeted candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521.

Candidates also needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 3:24 a.m. UTC on August 18, 2026, to qualify for the round.

Also Read: A £5,000 bill can’t stop people from trying to become British


The latest selection round takes the number of Express Entry draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) this year to 51.

Who got invited in the latest draw?

The September 1 round was aimed at candidates under the Canadian Experience Class, a category for eligible skilled workers with Canadian work experience.

Candidates needed a CRS score of at least 521. They also had to create their Express Entry profile before 3:24 a.m. UTC on August 18, 2026.

IRCC has conducted 51 Express Entry draws so far in 2026.

Candidates with a connection to Canada have accounted for a large share of these selections. The department has conducted 17 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws and 15 CEC draws.

French-language proficiency has also remained a major category, with 10 draws this year.

Which categories have received the most ITAs?

IRCC has issued 117,427 ITAs through Express Entry draws so far in 2026.

CEC candidates received the largest number, with 51,250 ITAs, followed by candidates with French-language proficiency, who received 50,500.

Also Read: Gujarat families rush to secure EB-5 visa for US permanent residency amid H-1B uncertainty

PNP candidates received 7,961 ITAs.

Other categories accounted for the remaining invitations, including 8,000 for healthcare and social services, 3,000 for trades, 300 for transport, 662 for physicians with Canadian work experience, 750 for senior managers with Canadian work experience and four for skilled military recruits.

How does the CRS cut-off work?

The CRS cut-off varies by draw type and the number of candidates invited. A higher score generally means a stronger position in the Express Entry pool, while category-based draws target candidates who meet specific eligibility requirements.

The September 1 CEC draw followed an August 18 CEC round, which issued 1,000 ITAs at a CRS cut-off of 523. Earlier, the August 5 CEC draw issued 3,000 ITAs at a cut-off of 516.