IRCC conducts new Express Entry draw for PNP candidates

IRCC conducts new Express Entry draw for PNP candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held another round of invitations through the Express Entry system, targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.

In the latest draw, the department issued 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 789, and candidates were required to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 12:59 a.m. UTC on September 5, 2025.

This selection marks the seventh Express Entry draw of 2026 and the fourth focusing on provincial nominees.

• IRCC issued 279 ITAs to PNP candidates on February 16, 2026.
• The minimum CRS score for selection was 789.
• Candidates needed to have submitted profiles before September 5, 2025.
• This draw is the fourth PNP-specific round of 2026.
• So far in 2026, more than 24,000 ITAs have been distributed across all draw types.

Overview of the Express Entry system

The Express Entry system manages applications for Canada’s three main federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. It also includes candidates nominated through provincial immigration streams aligned with Express Entry.

Applicants receive a CRS score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws conducted by IRCC.

Provincial Nominee Program draws

Provincial Nominee Program draws target candidates who have received a nomination from a province or territory. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, effectively ensuring an invitation in subsequent draws. Provinces such as Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia regularly issue nominations through their enhanced Express Entry streams. Manitoba operates the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), which allows the province to select candidates with skills that meet local labour needs.

By holding PNP-specific draws, IRCC supports regional labour market priorities and ensures that provinces can attract immigrants suited to their economic goals.

Express Entry activity in 2026

Since the beginning of 2026, IRCC has conducted several draws under various categories. These include two rounds for the Canadian Experience Class, two for the Provincial Nominee Program, and one category-based draw for French-language proficiency.

Earlier in February, Canada held its largest category-based draw focusing on French-speaking candidates, issuing 8,500 invitations with a minimum CRS score of 400. Previous PNP draws this year required CRS cut-offs between 711 and 749, while Canadian Experience Class rounds saw thresholds just above 500.

Summary of 2026 draws to date

Overall, a total of 24,457 invitations have been issued this year. Most ITAs were extended to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency categories, reflecting IRCC’s ongoing efforts to prioritize candidates with either Canadian work experience or strong bilingual skills.

Context and public relevance

Express Entry draws are a key component of Canada’s immigration strategy to attract skilled workers who can contribute to the national and provincial economies. PNP-specific draws, in particular, support provincial governments in filling targeted labour shortages and attracting candidates already connected to local communities through employment or education.

Manitoba and other provinces continue to use nomination streams to identify workers in sectors such as health care, trades, and technology. These efforts align with federal and provincial objectives to address demographic changes and strengthen regional economies.

Looking ahead

IRCC has not announced the schedule of upcoming draws, as selection rounds are conducted based on program needs and immigration targets. The department continues to balance invitations across different categories to meet annual immigration levels set under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan.

Further updates on Express Entry results will be published as new draws occur, providing insights into evolving CRS trends and category priorities across Canada’s economic immigration system.

For more information on provincial nomination pathways, related immigration statistics, and Express Entry results, visit the immigration news section for continued coverage.