Provincial Nominees Invited in Surprise Express Entry Draw
Share
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in a surprise Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw. In the latest round, IRCC invited 279 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program stream.
CRS Score and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this draw, candidates were required to:
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 789
- Have created their Express Entry profile before 12:59 a.m. (UTC) on September 5, 2025
Candidates with a provincial nomination automatically receive an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly boosts their ranking in the Express Entry pool.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
So far, 2026 has seen seven Express Entry draws. Below is a breakdown of the draws conducted this year:
| Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score | ITAs Issued |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Express Entry Trends in 2026
This latest round marks:
- The 7th Express Entry draw of 2026
- The 4th Provincial Nominee Program draw this year
In 2026, IRCC has largely focused on candidates already in Canada, particularly those with:
- Provincial nominations
- Canadian work experience
- Strong French-language proficiency
Number of Draws by Category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 2 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 1 |
Total ITAs Issued in 2026 So Far
As of now, IRCC has issued 24,457 ITAs across different categories in 2026:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 14,000 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,534 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The continued focus on Provincial Nominee Program and Canadian Experience Class draws suggests that Canada is prioritizing candidates who are already contributing to the labour market and provincial economies.
Candidates with a provincial nomination remain in a strong position due to the additional CRS points, which often push scores well above general category cut-offs.
If you are in the Express Entry pool, improving your CRS score through provincial nomination, gaining additional work experience, or strengthening language scores can significantly enhance your chances of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws.
