Express Entry: Second half of September 2026: Rounds for PNP, CEC, and Senior Executives

During the month of September 2026, Canada’s immigration system, Express Entry, held a total of eight selection rounds, with more than 5,000 invitations issued to apply for permanent residence.

In the second half of the month, certain categories stood out with lower scores than in previous rounds, a trend that favors high-profile candidates.

In this blog post, I'll provide a detailed breakdown of the rounds and an analysis of the required scores. I'll also offer recommendations on how to increase your chances of being selected in future lotteries.

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Breakdown of the selection rounds for the second half of September

• Draw 446: September 29, 2026 

Canadian Experience Class 

Invitations issued: 2,000 

Minimum CRS score: 518

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• Draw 445: September 28, 2026 

Provincial Candidate Program 

Invitations issued: 733 

Minimum CRS score: 725

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• Draw 444: September 16, 2026

Senior executives with Canadian work experience, 2026 

Invitations issued: 250 

Minimum CRS score: 389

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• Draw 443: September 15, 2026 

Canadian Experience Class 

Invitations issued: 2,000 

Minimum CRS score: 519

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• Draw 442: September 14, 2026 

Provincial Candidate Program 

Invitations issued: 576 

Minimum CRS score: 734

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Analysis and Comparison of Scores by Category

The Canadian government evaluates candidates based on figures and criteria specific to each category.

• For the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), scores remained stable but high, around 520 points. The difference between the two draws was minimal (just one point). This indicates that there is a constant influx of qualified candidates who are already settled in Canada.

The CEC brings together individuals with Canadian work experience and an advanced level of English or French. Because there is a high volume of applicants with these qualifications, the system automatically raises the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score.

The ideal profile for the CEC is typically found in young candidates (under 30 years of age) with more than one year of relevant work experience in Canada, proven bilingual proficiency, and a post-secondary education completed in Canada or abroad that has been evaluated by an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment).

Other profiles require more effort to achieve high scores.

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• For Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), the score requirement is much higher than for the other Express Entry categories, but they offer the usual advantage of receiving the 600 additional points awarded by the federal government to the provinces.

Invitations through the PNP program are typically below 1,000 ITAs. In the last two draws, there was a slight decrease in the score (from 734 to 725 points), and there were 157 more invitations in the second draw; this demonstrates the provinces’ openness and need to attract foreign professionals.

The ideal candidates for these nominal rounds are professionalswhose occupations exactly match the high-demand lists for specific provinces (such as healthcare, skilled trades, technology, or agriculture) and who are willing to live and work in that region indefinitely.

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• Management professionals— senior executives with work experience in Canada—are attracting the interest of the Canadian government. 

This lottery is the third of the year since the category was introduced in early 2026. The cutoff score (389 points) is lower than those for the general CEC and the provinces.

Why is it lower? Since this is acategory-based selection process strictly aimed at managers with work experience in Canada, the pool of eligible candidates is much smaller. The government prioritizes occupation over mass competition based on CRS scores, which lowers the required cutoff score.

Ideal candidates are professionals with extensive experience in senior management or executive leadership positions within Canadian companies, with a solid work history and a history of stable immigration status in the country.

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Year-End Forecast

It is likely that the final quarter will maintain a steady pace of lotteries to meet the annual goals of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to stabilize the status of residents with work experience at a higher percentage than that of new temporary residents. 

As for the minimum scores, they continue to vary depending on the needs of the provincial governments. 

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Recommendations

To increase your chances of receiving an ITA, first determine which category your profile fits into. 

If you have work experience in Canada, tailor your application to the Canadian Experience Class, and if your occupation matches the needs of a specific province where you might live permanently, seek a provincial nomination. 

Identify your NOC code by verifying that your work experience corresponds to TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class or category-based draws.

Improve your scores on English or French language exams. Improving your language score also helps boost your CRS score. 

Verify your professional credentials in advance and keep a detailed record of your work history to avoid delays when you receive an invitation.

Carefully review the main duties described on the official NOC platform and make sure your job description lists identical tasks, as immigration officers reject applications if the job title does not match the actual responsibilities performed. 

Do you have questions about your profile assessment? At Immiland Canada, we have regulated consultants (CICC) and qualified Canadian attorneys who can help you.

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You can request a Free Assessment or Schedule a Personalized Consultation and get started with us.

I hope this information is helpful for your immigration process. 

See you in our next blog post, where we’ll continue to help you build your Canadian dream with empathy, dedication, and professionalism.

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With love,

Immiland Canada