IRCC issues 380 Express Entry ITAs in PNP draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw on May 11, 2026, issuing 380 invitations to apply for permanent residence. The round targeted candidates nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this selection was 798. Profiles were considered only if they had been submitted before 5:23 a.m. Universal Coordinated Time on January 7, 2026.
The latest round reflects Canada’s continued use of targeted draws in 2026, with an emphasis on applicants who hold provincial nominations.
- Draw date: May 11, 2026
- Number of invitations issued: 380
- Program targeted: Provincial Nominee Program
- Minimum CRS cut-off score: 798
- Profile submission deadline: January 7, 2026, at 5:23 a.m. UTC
- Total Express Entry draws in 2026 so far: 27
Overview of the Provincial Nominee Program in Express Entry
The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet regional labour market needs. These nominations are aligned with the federal Express Entry system through both base and enhanced streams.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through an enhanced stream gain an additional 600 CRS points. This increase significantly affects rankings in the federal selection pool.
PNP-focused draws typically feature higher CRS thresholds due to the added points from nominations. The May 11 draw followed this pattern, with a cut-off approaching 800.
Role of provinces and territories
Each province and territory operates its own nomination streams with criteria tailored to local economic priorities. These can include targeted occupations, in-demand skills, or regional settlement goals.
For example, Manitoba continues to select candidates through its own provincial pathway, known as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. Further details on eligibility criteria can be reviewed through tools such as the Manitoba PNP points calculator.
Once nominated, candidates may enter the federal Express Entry system or update an existing profile to reflect their nomination status.
Express Entry draw trends in 2026
The May 11 draw marked the twenty-seventh Express Entry round conducted in 2026. Draw activity this year has included a mix of category-based selections and program-specific invitations.
IRCC has consistently alternated between draws targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, French-language proficiency, and Provincial Nominee Program applicants. This approach reflects adjustments to application inventory and processing priorities.
Earlier in April, a PNP draw on April 27 issued 473 invitations with a CRS cut-off of 795. Another PNP round held on April 13 invited 324 candidates at a CRS score of 786.
Compared to these earlier rounds, the May 11 selection issued fewer invitations while maintaining a high CRS requirement. This continues a pattern of limited but targeted PNP draws throughout the year.
Category-based draws and program-specific rounds
In addition to PNP draws, IRCC has conducted several large category-based selections in 2026. These include draws targeting French-speaking candidates, healthcare workers, and trades occupations.
French-language proficiency draws have remained among the largest this year. For instance, 4,000 invitations were issued on April 29, 2026, with a CRS cut-off of 400.
Canadian Experience Class draws have also been frequent, with multiple rounds inviting between 2,000 and 6,000 candidates at CRS scores above 500.
These category-based selections differ from PNP draws in both volume and CRS thresholds, reflecting varied selection criteria across immigration streams.
Total invitations issued in 2026
As of May 11, IRCC has issued 72,007 invitations to apply through Express Entry in 2026. These invitations have been distributed across several program categories.
The largest share has been allocated to Canadian Experience Class candidates, with 34,250 invitations issued. French-language proficiency draws account for 26,000 invitations so far.
Provincial Nominee Program candidates have received 4,116 invitations, including the 380 issued in the most recent draw. Other categories include healthcare and social services, trades, and specific occupational group selections.
These figures highlight a broad distribution of invitations across multiple immigration pathways, with varying selection frequencies and thresholds.
Distribution of draw types
In 2026, IRCC has conducted 10 Express Entry draws specifically for Provincial Nominee Program candidates. Canadian Experience Class draws have been held eight times during the same period.
French-language proficiency draws have occurred five times, while other categories such as healthcare, trades, and senior managers have been selected in smaller numbers.
This distribution illustrates the continued role of program-specific and category-based draws in Canada’s immigration system.
CRS score dynamics in recent draws
The CRS cut-off in PNP draws remains significantly higher than in other selection types due to the 600-point boost associated with nominations. Scores in recent PNP draws have ranged from the mid-700s to just above 800.
The May 11 cut-off of 798 closely aligns with the March 30 draw, which recorded a CRS threshold of 802. These figures demonstrate a consistent scoring range for candidates with provincial nominations.
In contrast, category-based draws such as those targeting French speakers have seen CRS scores below 420. This variation reflects the different eligibility criteria and selection priorities across draw types.
Profile submission tie-breaking rule
The Express Entry system uses a tie-breaking mechanism when multiple candidates have identical CRS scores at the cut-off threshold. In such cases, profiles submitted earlier receive priority.
For the May 11 draw, IRCC applied a timestamp of January 7, 2026, at 5:23 a.m. UTC. Only candidates who created their profiles before this time were eligible if they had a CRS score of 798.
This approach ensures that invitations are issued in a consistent and transparent manner within the ranking system.
Ongoing role of Express Entry in immigration selection
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary system for managing applications under key economic immigration programs. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and portions of the Provincial Nominee Program.
The system ranks candidates based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience. Provincial nominations and category-based eligibility can significantly influence selection outcomes.
In 2026, IRCC has maintained a high frequency of draws, often conducting multiple rounds within a single month. This scheduling has enabled the department to address inventory levels and meet admission targets.
The continued use of targeted draws indicates a structured approach to selecting candidates aligned with economic and demographic priorities.
Recent developments and public relevance
The May 11 draw follows a sequence of targeted selections that prioritize candidates with strong ties to Canada, such as provincial nominations or domestic work experience. This approach aligns with broader immigration planning levels announced by the federal government.
Provincial Nominee Program draws remain a key component of this strategy, allowing provinces to address local workforce shortages.
At the same time, category-based draws for French speakers and specific occupations reflect additional priorities, including linguistic diversity and sectoral demand.
The combination of these draw types demonstrates the evolving structure of the Express Entry system in 2026.
Further updates on Express Entry draws and immigration selection data continue to be released regularly, with the latest round issuing 380 invitations at a CRS cut-off of 798.