IRCC’s news feed on October 8 confirmed that Express Entry rounds 445 and 446 were conducted on September 28 and 29, issuing 2,733 invitations in just 48 hours. The first round invited 733 provincial nominees at a CRS cut-off of 725, nine points lower than the previous PNP-only draw. The second, a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) round, issued 2,000 invitations at a cut-off of 518—the third consecutive CEC round to show a marginal decline. The pair of draws illustrates Ottawa’s two-track rhythm: small, high-cut-off PNP rounds ensure provincial nominees are processed, while larger, predictable CEC rounds chip away at the high-500s CRS band each fortnight. October has already continued the pattern with a 3,500-invitation trades draw on October 1. For employers the trend matters. Foreign workers who secure provincial nominations remain almost guaranteed an invitation despite modest CRS scores. Meanwhile CEC candidates need around 518 points— achievable for many with high-skilled Canadian work experience and strong language scores. Mobility teams should therefore pursue dual strategies: facilitate provincial nominations for lower-scoring staff and help CEC-eligible employees boost language and education credentials to clear the federal bar. With the 60-day e-APR deadline unchanged, having police certificates and medicals ready remains critical. Companies anticipating 2027 hiring should also note that steady CEC rounds suggest IRCC’s inventory-management plan is holding; major policy shocks before year-end now look unlikely.
Source: IRCC.com
