Canada held another Express Entry invitation round on September 14, 2026, issuing 576 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 734 for the lowest-ranked candidate invited.
This draw followed the Canadian Experience Class round conducted on September 15 and focused on candidates who had received a nomination from a participating Canadian province or territory. Provincial nominations can provide candidates with a significant CRS advantage and can strengthen their pathway toward Canadian permanent residence.
Express Entry Draw #442: Key Highlights
✅ Invitation Round: #442
✅ Date of Round: September 14, 2026
✅ Type of Draw: Provincial Nominee Program
✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 576
✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 734
Draw Overview
The September 14 invitation round was specifically aimed at candidates in the Express Entry pool who qualified under the Provincial Nominee Program.
Unlike candidates in other Express Entry categories, PNP candidates must first receive a nomination from a participating province or territory. Provinces and territories nominate individuals based on their specific labour market needs and immigration priorities.
Once a candidate receives an Express Entry-linked provincial nomination, they receive additional CRS points, which can significantly increase their overall ranking in the Express Entry pool.
With 576 ITAs issued, the latest round provided nominated candidates with an opportunity to proceed with their permanent residence applications.
Understanding the CRS Cut-Off of 734
The minimum CRS score in this round was 734. This higher score reflects the additional CRS points associated with an Express Entry-linked provincial nomination.
The CRS evaluates candidates based on several factors, including:
Age
Education
Language proficiency
Work experience
Canadian work experience
Other factors that can contribute to a candidate's ranking
The CRS cut-off is not fixed and can vary between Express Entry draws depending on the number of invitations issued, the candidates in the pool and the type of invitation round.
Purpose of the PNP Draw
The Provincial Nominee Program allows participating provinces and territories to nominate candidates who can contribute to their regional labour markets and communities.
Through PNP-specific Express Entry draws, IRCC invites eligible nominated candidates to submit applications for Canadian permanent residence. The system allows provinces and territories to identify candidates according to their own economic and workforce requirements while remaining connected to Canada's federal permanent residence process.
An ITA is an important step, but it does not automatically result in permanent residence. Candidates must still submit a complete application and satisfy all applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements.
Impact on Canadian Immigration
The latest PNP draw gives 576 provincially nominated candidates an opportunity to move forward toward permanent residence in Canada. These candidates have already been selected through provincial nomination streams before receiving their federal Express Entry invitation.
For individuals considering the PNP pathway, the draw demonstrates the role provincial nomination can play in improving a candidate's CRS ranking. Eligibility requirements vary between provinces and territories, so candidates need to meet the criteria of the specific nomination stream they are applying through.
Overall, Express Entry Draw #442 represents another PNP-focused invitation round in 2026, with 576 ITAs issued and a CRS cut-off of 734.
Canada Express Entry Draw List 2026
Total ITAs issued in 2026: 126732