September 2026 Immigration Draw Summary

September 2026 was a remarkably active month for Canadian immigration, with 36 draws issuing a combined 14,579 invitations to prospective permanent residents. The month featured 8 Express Entry draws and 28 provincial draws spanning programs from British Columbia to Newfoundland & Labrador. CRS cut-offs ranged widely — from as low as 49 in Alberta's Law Enforcement Pathway to 734 in the Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program draw — reflecting the diverse range of pathways available. Healthcare, technology, and skilled trades remained dominant themes, with multiple targeted draws reinforcing Canada's continued focus on filling critical labour market gaps.

Express Entry Highlights

Express Entry held 8 draws in September 2026, collectively inviting thousands of candidates across multiple program streams. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) ran three draws — on September 1, 15, and 29 — each issuing exactly 2,000 invitations at progressively declining CRS cut-offs of 521, 519, and 518, respectively, signalling a gradual easing of score requirements. The Healthcare Occupations draw on September 4 (Draw #441) was the single largest of the month, issuing 3,500 invitations at a CRS of 475, underscoring Canada's urgent need for healthcare professionals. A targeted draw for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience (Draw #440) on September 3 invited 229 candidates at a notably low CRS of 198, making it highly accessible for qualifying physicians. Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience (Draw #444) saw 250 invitations issued on September 16 at a CRS of 389. The two Provincial Nominee Program draws — Draw #442 on September 14 (CRS 734, 576 invitations) and Draw #445 on September 28 (CRS 725, 733 invitations) — carried the highest CRS thresholds of the month, as the additional 600 PNP points elevate nominees well above general-pool candidates.

Provincial Nominee Program Highlights

Provincial programs accounted for 28 of the month's 36 draws, demonstrating the breadth and regional specificity of Canada's immigration architecture. Alberta's AAIP was the most prolific, running draws across its Alberta Opportunity Stream, Accelerated Tech Pathway, Dedicated Health Care Pathway, Priority Sectors (Manufacturing, Agriculture, Health Care), and Law Enforcement Pathway. CRS thresholds for Alberta streams ranged from 49 to 62. British Columbia's PNP was equally diverse, with draws for Care: Childcare (CRS 99, 182 invitations), Care: Health (CRS 76, 143 invitations), Care: Veterinary Care (CRS 90, 5 invitations), Build: Construction Trades (CRS 94, 104 invitations), Innovate: High Economic Impact (288 points-based invitations plus 426 non-points invitations), Regional (CRS 119, 5 invitations), Base (CRS 119, 10 invitations), and the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative (CRS 60, 33 invitations). Newfoundland & Labrador held four NLPNP draws on September 4, 10, 18, and 25, totalling 236 invitations without published CRS scores. Manitoba's MPNP Skilled Worker Stream ran two draws: Draw #279 on September 10 with 233 invitations, and Draw #280 on September 24 with just 1 invitation. Quebec's PSTQ (Arrima) program held draws across four streams on September 24, with CRS thresholds of 634 (Stream 1, 86 invitations), 631 (Stream 2, 316 invitations), 631 (Stream 3, 110 invitations), and Stream 4 issuing 7 invitations without a published CRS.

What the Numbers Mean for Applicants

September 2026's draw results carry important signals for candidates planning their immigration journey. Here are the key takeaways:

• CEC scores are trending downward: The three CEC draws moved from 521 to 519 to 518, suggesting the pool may continue to ease — candidates close to these thresholds should ensure their profiles are fully optimized and up to date.
• Healthcare and specialist pathways offer low entry points: With the Physicians draw at CRS 198 and multiple provincial health-focused draws at CRS 60–76, qualified healthcare professionals have some of the most accessible routes to permanent residence currently available.
• Provincial streams are essential for candidates below CEC cut-offs: Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland & Labrador all held targeted draws in September. Candidates with scores below 500 should seriously evaluate provincial alignment, as many streams set thresholds well below federal Express Entry levels.

Outlook for Next Month

October 2026 is expected to maintain a similarly high volume of draws, particularly as the federal government continues its commitment to admissions targets and provinces work to address regional labour shortages heading into year-end. CEC cut-offs may stabilize or dip slightly if the Express Entry pool continues to grow. Additional occupation-specific draws — particularly in healthcare, trades, and technology — are likely given the policy emphasis seen throughout 2026. Candidates with PNP nominations should prepare for continued high CRS thresholds in PNP-specific Express Entry draws. Provincially, British Columbia and Alberta are expected to remain the most active PNP jurisdictions. Quebec's PSTQ activity may increase as the province moves toward its annual intake goals.

Take Action Now

Ready to move forward?

• Review your CRS score and identify which September 2026 draws you would have qualified for — this reveals your most viable pathways.
• If you work in healthcare, technology, skilled trades, or agriculture, explore the targeted provincial and federal streams that set thresholds well below general CEC cut-offs.
• Book a consultation with an ITC iLand regulated consultant to build a personalized strategy before October draws open.