Three Express Entry Draws in September: Results and October Forecast

In the last week of September, three draws took place: the provincial PNP draw (733 invitations at 725 CRS points), the federal draw for Canadian Experience Class CEC candidates (2,000 invitations at 518 points), and the second trades draw of the year for skilled trades workers (3,500 invitations at 476 points). This marks the third consecutive 2,000-invitation CEC draw in September, with the cutoff score dropping by one point.

Skilled Trades Draw: An Unexpected Comeback

The draw for skilled trades workers took place only for the second time this year. This time, 3,500 invitations were issued at a CRS cutoff of 476, compared to the previous draw in April, which issued 3,000 invitations with a cutoff of 477 points.

Skilled trades occupations include dozens of professions, from mechanics to electricians and welders. To qualify for this category, candidates need at least one year of work experience within the last three years in one of the listed occupations — whether gained in Canada or abroad.

Federal CEC Draw: Third Consecutive 2,000-Invitation Round

In September, the federal draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates issued 2,000 invitations for the third consecutive time. The CRS cutoff score was 518 — just one point lower than the previous draw.

This small drop in score points to healthy competition among candidates scoring between 515 and 520 points. The stable invitation volume of around 2,000 each week reflects a relatively steady flow of candidates in the pool.

Provincial PNP Draw: 733 Invitations at 725 Points

The week opened with a draw under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This time, 733 invitations were issued at a cutoff score of 725 — one of the largest draws of the year.

What to Expect in October: Three Scenarios for CEC

The federal CEC draw in October could unfold in one of three ways:

If another 2,000-invitation draw takes place, the cutoff score could drop by another point to 517.

With a smaller draw of 1,000 invitations, the cutoff score could rise, possibly reaching 519 or 520 points.

With a large draw of 4,000–5,000 invitations, the cutoff score could drop more significantly, reaching 514–515 points.

Skilled Trades and French-Language Draws: What’s Next

The second skilled trades draw could repeat the current cutoff score, staying within the 475–477 point range. According to preliminary estimates, the next draw for this category may not take place until the first quarter of 2027.

Immigration specialists’ experience suggests that the French-language proficiency category has not seen a draw in a long time — its return is possible in the coming months. A draw for healthcare sector workers may also be announced.

September: A Month of Intensive Federal Draws

Over the course of September, the federal Express Entry pool saw three major CEC draws totaling 6,000 invitations (2,000 invitations each). As the year moves into its final three months — October, November, and December — continued draw activity is expected, though the volume and cutoff scores remain subject to experts’ forecasts.