Canada conducted its latest Express Entry invitation round on September 28, 2026, issuing 733 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The draw was the 445th invitation round under the Express Entry system and focused specifically on candidates who had received a provincial nomination.
The lowest CRS score among invited candidates was 725. Candidates who received an ITA can now proceed with their application for Canadian permanent residence, provided they meet all applicable eligibility and documentation requirements. The latest draw comes as Canada continues to use provincial nominations to select skilled immigrants who can contribute to regional labour-market and economic needs.
Details of the Draw
✅ Invitation Round: #445
✅ Date of Round: September 28, 2026
✅ Type of Draw: Provincial Nominee Program
✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 733
✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 725
Overview of the Draw
The September 28 draw was larger than the previous PNP-focused Express Entry round held on September 14. In that draw, 576 candidates received invitations with a CRS cut-off of 734. The latest round therefore issued 157 more invitations, while the minimum CRS score decreased by nine points.
The Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, is used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency and work experience, along with other eligibility factors.
A provincial nomination can have a significant effect on a candidate’s CRS ranking because an approved nomination through an Express Entry-linked provincial program provides 600 additional CRS points.
Purpose of the Draw
The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canada’s provinces and territories to nominate individuals who meet their specific economic and labour-market requirements. Each participating province and territory operates its own nomination streams and sets eligibility criteria according to its priorities.
The Express Entry-linked PNP pathway allows nominated candidates to enter or remain in the federal Express Entry pool with the additional points associated with their nomination. Candidates who receive an ITA can then submit their permanent residence application to the federal government.
Impact on Immigration
The latest invitation round creates an additional opportunity for 733 provincial nominees to apply for permanent residence in Canada. It also demonstrates the continued role of provincial nominations within Canada’s economic immigration system.
For prospective immigrants, PNP-linked Express Entry draws can be particularly significant because provincial nomination can substantially increase a candidate’s CRS score. However, CRS cut-offs and the number of invitations can change from one draw to another, depending on immigration targets and the size and composition of the candidate pool.
The September 28 draw therefore represents another step in Canada’s ongoing selection of skilled immigrants through provincial pathways, while giving hundreds of nominated candidates the opportunity to move forward with their permanent residence applications.
Canada Express Entry Draw List 2026
Total ITAs issued in 2026: 129715