First Canada Express Entry Draw of September Invites 2,000 Candidates with a CRS of 521

Canada continues to prioritize candidates with work experience in the country, keeping the CEC pathway front and center. The most recent draw underscores this trend, as another substantial round of invitations was released. The latest draw once again targeted experience-class candidates, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) granting 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during this Express Entry draw. 

This marks the 51st Express Entry draw of 2026 and the 15th CEC-specific draw by IRCC. As of September 1, 2026, Canada’s immigration department has extended 122,427 invitations across all category draws.

Strategic Overview of the latest draw

Eligibility Criteria to apply for the latest draw

As a CEC candidate, you must follow the required criteria to be eligible under the latest draw. Here’s the list of eligibility rules a candidate must adhere to:

• To be eligible for any Express Entry draw, individuals must have an active Express Entry profile submitted to IRCC in order to receive an ITA. 

• Candidates need to show at least one year of work experience in the Canadian job market to qualify under the CEC category. 

• Language proficiency is crucial. A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521 is required for the latest draw. 

• When multiple candidates have the same CRS score, IRCC issues invitations under the tie-break rule, favoring those who submitted their Express Entry profiles earlier.

What does the latest draw mean for immigrants?

The draw for the Canadian Experience Class category targets candidates with at least one year of work experience in Canada, signaling that IRCC seeks to attract more professionals in this category. This includes nominations tailored to specific occupations, which will help alleviate workforce shortages in high-demand fields while enabling individuals to maintain a healthy work-life balance and earn competitive wages.

The continued focus on CEC candidates suggests that Canada’s long-term plan is to retain skilled temporary workers who have shown they can adapt to the country's labor market and workplace environment. With immigration levels still centered on economic requirements, those with Canadian work experience are likely to remain in a strong position for prospective Express Entry invitations.

Stay tuned with Izago Immigration Advisors for more immigration news and updates!