Express Entry
Express Entry Draw #446: 2,000 CEC Invitations Issued
Canada issued 2,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence in Express Entry Draw #446 on September 29, 2026, targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518. This was one point lower than the previous CEC cutoff of 519 on September 15.
The latest round came just one day after Express Entry Draw #445, which issued 733 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program candidates at a CRS cut-off of 725.
Express Entry Draw #446 Results
| Draw detail | Result |
| Express Entry draw number | 446 |
| Program | Canadian Experience Class |
| Date | September 29, 2026 |
| Time | 10:19:21 UTC |
| Invitations issued | 2,000 |
| Minimum CRS score | 518 |
| Tie-breaking date | February 13, 2026 |
| Tie-breaking time | 20:48:08 UTC |
The September 29 round was a program-specific CEC selection. IRCC uses program-specific rounds to select candidates who meet the requirements of the program targeted in that round.
CRS Cutoff Falls to 518 in Express Entry Draw #446
The Express Entry Draw #446 CRS cutoff continued a downward movement seen across the latest CEC rounds.
| Draw date | Invitations | CRS cutoff |
| August 18 | 1,000 | 523 |
| September 1 | 2,000 | 521 |
| September 15 | 2,000 | 519 |
| September 29 | 2,000 | 518 |
The CRS cutoff has declined from 523 in August to 518 in the latest CEC draw.
However, candidates should not assume that the cutoff will continue to decline at the same rate. Express Entry draw results depend on the number of invitations issued, the size and composition of the pool and the eligibility of candidates in the targeted program.
What Is the Canadian Experience Class?
The Canadian Experience Class is one of Canada’s three federal economic immigration programs managed through Express Entry.
It is designed for skilled workers who have qualifying Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
Generally, candidates need at least one year of eligible skilled Canadian work experience, or 1,560 hours, acquired within the three years before applying.
The work experience must meet IRCC’s requirements and generally fall within eligible NOC TEER categories.
CEC candidates must also demonstrate the required level of English or French through an approved language test.
Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class does not have a separate minimum education requirement. However, education can still contribute to a candidate’s CRS score.
The 518 CRS Cutoff Is Not a Permanent Benchmark
The latest Express Entry Draw #446 result gives candidates an important reference point, but the 518 cutoff should not be viewed as a guaranteed score for future CEC rounds.
IRCC determines the size and type of each Express Entry round.
If the number of invitations changes, or if the number of candidates around a particular CRS range changes, the cutoff can also move.
This is why candidates should focus on their own CRS profile rather than waiting for the cutoff to reach a specific number.
Tie-Breaking Rule for Express Entry Draw #446
Candidates who had exactly 518 CRS points were subject to the tie-breaking rule.
For Express Entry Draw #446, the relevant date and time were:
February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC.
Candidates with 518 points needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before that date and time to be selected under the tie-breaking rule.
The tie-breaking rule does not award additional CRS points. It determines priority among candidates who have the same minimum CRS score.
CEC Express Entry Draw Record for 2026
Based on the supplied 2026 draw record, IRCC has conducted 17 CEC-specific rounds this year.
| Draw date | Invitations | CRS cutoff |
| September 29 | 2,000 | 518 |
| September 15 | 2,000 | 519 |
| September 1 | 2,000 | 521 |
| August 18 | 1,000 | 523 |
| August 5 | 3,000 | 516 |
| July 21 | 2,000 | 516 |
| July 7 | 2,000 | 517 |
| June 23 | 4,000 | 516 |
| May 27 | 3,000 | 518 |
| April 28 | 2,000 | 514 |
| April 14 | 2,000 | 515 |
| March 31 | 2,250 | 509 |
| March 17 | 4,000 | 507 |
| March 3 | 4,000 | 508 |
| February 17 | 6,000 | 508 |
| January 21 | 6,000 | 509 |
| January 7 | 8,000 | 511 |
The supplied record shows 55,250 invitations issued through CEC-specific rounds during 2026.
The lowest cutoff in this record was 507 on March 17, while the highest was 523 on August 18.
What Candidates Below 518 Can Do
Candidates whose CRS scores are below 518 can review whether they have opportunities to increase their scores.
Possible areas include:
- Improving English or French language test results.
- Completing additional eligible education.
- Obtaining additional qualifying Canadian work experience.
- Claiming eligible education or language-related CRS points.
- Reviewing Express Entry category-based selection eligibility.
- Exploring an Express Entry-aligned provincial nomination.
A provincial nomination can add 600 CRS points to an Express Entry profile, making it a significant factor for candidates who qualify for a provincial program.
French-Language Candidates May Have Another Express Entry Option
Candidates with strong French-language ability should also review Canada’s French-language proficiency category.
Category-based selection operates separately from the Canadian Experience Class. Therefore, a candidate’s CEC CRS score does not necessarily determine whether they can qualify for another Express Entry category.
Candidates should check the current eligibility requirements and ensure their language results are valid before claiming category-based eligibility.
Express Entry Draw #446 Brings 2026 Invitations to 131,715
According to the supplied draw data, the September 29 CEC selection brought the total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 to 131,715 across 58 rounds.
The previous day’s PNP draw added another 733 invitations before the CEC round.
The Express Entry pool itself remains dynamic. Candidates enter and leave the pool, while existing profiles can also change when applicants update information such as language results, education or work experience.
What CEC Candidates Should Do Now
Candidates already in the Express Entry pool should regularly review their profiles.
They should ensure:
- Their language test results remain valid.
- Their Canadian work experience is accurately recorded.
- Their education information is correct.
- Their personal information is up to date.
- Their CRS calculation reflects all eligible factors.
- Any new documents or changes are properly reflected in the profile.
Candidates who receive an ITA should also begin preparing their permanent residence application promptly.
Express Entry Draw #446 issued 2,000 CEC invitations on September 29, 2026, with a minimum CRS score of 518.
The cutoff was one point lower than the previous CEC draw and five points below the August 18 peak of 523 in the supplied 2026 record.
For candidates near the 518 range, the result provides a useful reference point, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed future cutoff. The size of upcoming draws and the composition of the Express Entry pool will continue to influence CRS thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many invitations were issued in Express Entry Draw #446?
Canada issued 2,000 invitations under the Canadian Experience Class.
2. What was the CRS cutoff for Express Entry Draw #446?
The minimum CRS score was 518.
3. What was the tie-breaking date for Draw #446?
The tie-breaking date was February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC.
4. How much Canadian work experience is generally required for the Canadian Experience Class?
Candidates generally need at least one year, or 1,560 hours, of eligible skilled Canadian work experience acquired within the three years before applying.
5. Can someone below 518 CRS still receive an Express Entry invitation?
Yes. Future cutoffs can change, and candidates may also qualify for other Express Entry programs or category-based rounds.
