Canadian experience class draw #446: 2,000 ITAs, CRS 518

On 29 September 2026 IRCC posted the results of CEC draw #446, issuing 2,000 invitations to apply with a CRS cut‑off of 518【https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/09/ircc‑draw‑446‑cec‑results.html】.

Draw details

The cut‑off rose from 511 in draw 435 to 518 in draw 446, the highest CEC threshold to date.

Who was invited

Candidates needed at least one year of skilled Canadian work, a valid language test, and a NOC 2021 code in 0, A or B. The 2026 update replaced older codes; for example, a software developer now uses NOC 21231 instead of the former 2175.

If you are below the cut‑off

You can improve your profile within the next 60 days:

• Raise language scores, moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 adds 31 points.
• Add French proficiency, up to 24 points.
• Complete a one‑year Canadian master’s, 30 points for education plus 15 for Canadian education experience.

Processing after an ITA

IRCC’s 2026 average processing time for complete CEC applications was 5.6 months. Cases without background‑check issues finished in 4.2 months; those with multiple permits took up to 7.3 months. Missing a medical exam or police certificate can add 2‑3 months.

Common pitfalls

• Work‑date errors, IRCC checks employer letters against CRA T4 slips. A one‑month mismatch can trigger a refusal for misrepresentation. In 2025, 3.4 % of CEC refusals cited this issue.
• Dual‑intent misunderstandings, study‑permit holders must show a genuine plan to complete their program. Failure to do so raised refusals by 12 % in the 2024‑2025 cycle.

Provincial nominee interactions

British Columbia’s Tech Pilot offers a 600‑point nomination to candidates with NOC 21231 and a base CRS of at least 450. A BC nominee with a base CRS of 470 reaches an effective score of 1,070, guaranteeing an ITA. Ontario’s “Human Capital Priorities” stream caps nominations at 500 points for CEC applicants, so a candidate with a base CRS of 515 needs a provincial nomination to qualify.

Documents you must not forget

• Police certificates from every country where you lived 12 months or more in the past ten years.
• A detailed employment letter for each skilled job, including start and end dates. For seasonal agricultural work, use the NOC 2021 code 8452 (formerly 8431) and ensure the letter is on official letterhead with the employer’s business number.

What to do after receiving an ITA

1. Verify the invitation on the IRCC portal and note required documents.
2. Book a medical exam with an IRCC‑approved panel physician within 30 days.
3. Submit the complete application online; the system will confirm your final CRS. If it falls below 518, the application is rejected.

Outlook

The 2026 budget added 15 % more seats to the CEC stream, suggesting larger future draws. However, the upward trend in cut‑offs points to a minimum of 520 for the rest of 2026.

Check your CRS score with Ikovia’s free calculator.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca)