IRCC continued its rapid cadence of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) selections with Express Entry draw #446 on September 29, inviting 2,000 candidates who scored at least 518 points. Immigration consultancy ImmigCanada confirmed the results in a same-day bulletin, noting this is the third CEC-only draw in as many weeks and the seventeenth of 2026. The cut-off—down one point from the September 15 round—signals incremental easing as IRCC holds invitation numbers steady. Analysts attribute the tiny drop to profile churn: as higher-scoring candidates receive ITAs, the pool’s upper band thins and the threshold inches downward. Still, with over 21,000 profiles between 501 and 600 CRS points, competition remains fierce, and even small gains in language or work-experience points can prove decisive. For employers, the draw offers a tactical window to support work-permit holders approaching the 518 mark. Filing updated employment letters or salary increases that translate into higher CRS human-capital scores could push staff over the line before quotas reset. The draw also feeds broader speculation about IRCC’s annual targets. CEC invitations now total 55,250 for 2026, roughly half the Federal High-Skilled admissions target of 109,000. With three months left in the year, observers expect IRCC to maintain the 2,000-invite rhythm, balancing admissions flow with application-processing capacity. Prospective applicants should note the tie-break rule—profiles created before February 13, 2026 at 20:48 UTC received priority when multiple candidates shared a 518 CRS score. Anyone re-submitting an updated profile risks losing seniority, so strategists advise updating existing profiles rather than creating new ones whenever possible.
Source: ImmigCanada
