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Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominees Invited in Latest PNP Draw
Canada’s immigration authority, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), continuing its focus on applicants with strong ties to specific provinces.
In this latest round, IRCC issued 473 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had received a provincial nomination. Due to the additional points awarded through a nomination, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 795.
To be eligible for this draw, candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 11:11 p.m. UTC on April 13, 2026.
Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | ITAs Issued |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and Social Services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| 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 |
PNP Draws Continue to Play a Key Role
This draw marks the 23rd Express Entry round of 2026, with Provincial Nominee Program selections continuing to form a significant portion of invitations issued this year. Candidates nominated by a province or territory receive an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly boosts their chances of receiving an ITA.
Express Entry Trends in 2026
Throughout 2026, Express Entry draws have largely prioritized candidates already in Canada, especially those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience. This trend reflects Canada’s strategy to transition temporary residents into permanent residents more efficiently.
So far this year, the distribution of draw types is as follows:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 9 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 8 draws
- French-language proficiency: 4 draws
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
- Healthcare and social services: 1 draw
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 1 draw
- Trades: 1 draw
Total ITAs Issued in 2026
As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 65,627 ITAs across multiple categories:
- Canadian Experience Class: 34,250
- French-language proficiency: 22,000
- Healthcare and social services: 4,000
- Provincial Nominee Program: 3,736
- Trades: 3,000
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250
What This Means for Candidates
The continued emphasis on PNP draws highlights the importance of securing a provincial nomination for candidates looking to strengthen their Express Entry profile. With higher CRS cut-offs in these draws, a nomination remains one of the most effective ways to receive an invitation.
As competition increases, candidates are encouraged to explore provincial pathways aligned with their skills and work experience, while also improving their CRS scores through language proficiency and employment opportunities in Canada.
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