IRCC confirmed on 8 October 2026 that it ended September with two consecutive Express Entry draws that issued a combined 2,733 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The first, on 28 September, was a Provincial Nominee Program-only round (Round 445) that sent 733 ITAs to candidates with provincial nominations and required a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 725—nine points lower than the previous PNP draw. Just 24 hours later, Round 446 targeted the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), inviting 2,000 candidates at a threshold of 518, the lowest CEC cut-off since May. IRCC’s tie-breaking rule favoured profiles submitted on or before 17 September and 13 February, respectively, for the two rounds. The back-to-back schedule illustrates IRCC’s “two-track” rhythm: predictable 2,000-person CEC draws roughly every two weeks and smaller, high-score PNP rounds interspersed between them. Since category-based draws began in June 2026, most ITAs have gone to in-Canada workers, easing employers’ retention concerns. Applicants now have 60 days to file complete e-applications. Immigration lawyers advise ordering upfront police certificates and proof-of-funds early to avoid missing the deadline, especially as holiday backlogs loom in many source countries. The next general draw is expected in mid-October, but analysts caution that the shrinking inventory of low-CRS candidates could push future cut-offs slightly higher.
Source: IRCC.com
