In yet another good news for domestic applicants, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced the Canada Express Entry Draw 15 September 2026: 2,000 ITAs Issued, CRS Cut-off Score Reduced to 519 for skilled professionals in Canada. Organized through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, IRCC issued 2,000 invitations for PR in Canada with a reduced minimum CRS cut-off score of 519 points.
Highlights of Canada Express Entry Draw 15 September 2026
- Draw Date – September 15, 2026
- Draw Category – Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Total Invitations Issued – 2,000
- Minimum CRS Score Required – 519
Second Consecutive Drop in CRS Cut-off Score for CEC
The CRS cut-off score of 519 reflects a continuing downward trend seen through the last three CEC draws. Following an increase to 523, recorded on August 18 when the 1,000 ITA quota was reduced, the CRS score was reduced to 521 on September 1 when the quota increased to 2,000 ITAs. As such, the latest draw continues the same quota size and sees the cut-off reduce further to 519 points, suggesting that the August 18 increase was a one-off anomaly as a result of the smaller quota size and scores continue to revert back to their typical 514-518 level range.
Comparison of Recent Canadian Experience Class Draws
The following table shows the gradual reduction in the CRS cut-off scores witnessed through recent CEC draws in 2026.
| Draw Date | Round Type / Stream | Invitations Issued (ITAs) | Minimum CRS Score | Score Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 15, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 519 | -2 points |
| September 1, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 521 | -2 points |
| August 18, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 523 | +7 points |
| August 5, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 516 | — |
IRCC has issued 53,250 PR invites through 16 CEC draws held in 2026, continuing its reputation as the largest pathway to permanent residence status for temporary foreign workers and international student graduates.
Criteria for Eligibility for Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class is a direct route to permanent residence for foreign nationals with Canadian work experience –
- Requirement of Work Experience – The individual should have one year or more of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years prior to applying.
- Occupation – The skilled work experience should be under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Language Requirements – The minimum level of language requirement is CLB 7 for English and NCLC 7 for French for TEER 0 and 1. It is CLB 5 and NCLC 5 for TEER 2 and 3.
- No Proof of Fund Requirement – Unlike the FSW Program, there is no requirement of proof of funds for CEC applicants.
What Should the Applicants Do Now
Candidates selected in the Canada Express Entry Draw 15 September 2026 – 2,000 ITAs Issued, CRS Cut-Off Falls to 519 now have exactly 60 days to file their complete online application for permanent residency.
Key steps for invited candidates –
- Obtain Employment Verification – Obtain signed employment reference letters for your Canadian employment, specifying job title, responsibilities, number of hours worked, and salary with T4 slips and Notice of Assessments (NOAs).
- Prove Policing & Medical Clearances – Make an appointment at a panel physician for your medical examination, get your police clearance certificates for each country where you have stayed for six months or more since the age of 18.
If you are below 519 points right now –
- Look out for Category Draw Invitations – Draw invitations that focus on language, trade, and STEM categories usually come with cut-offs much lower than the regular CEC invitation cut-off.
- Apply through PNP – Getting nominated by the province guarantees a 600 points boost and a draw invitation in the designated round.