Canada has invited 380 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in the latest Express Entry draw conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on May 11, 2026.
The draw targeted candidates who had already received provincial nominations through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program streams linked with Express Entry.
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates were required to:
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 798
- Create their Express Entry profile before January 7, 2026 at 5:23 a.m. UTC
Express Entry Draws Summary for 2026:
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| 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 |
The latest round became the 10th PNP draw of 2026 and the 27th Express Entry draw overall this year.
Why CRS scores are high in PNP draws
Provincial Nominee Program candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points once nominated by a Canadian province or territory. This substantial increase almost guarantees selection in future Express Entry invitation rounds.
As a result, PNP-specific draws consistently record higher CRS cut-off scores compared to Canadian Experience Class or category-based draws.
Canada’s provinces continue to use PNP pathways to address regional labour shortages and attract workers with experience in key industries such as:
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Skilled trades
- Information technology
- Transportation
- Education
Canada continues targeted Express Entry selections in 2026
IRCC has continued using targeted Express Entry draws throughout 2026 to support Canada’s labour market and immigration priorities.
This year, the immigration department has focused mainly on:
- Provincial Nominee Program candidates
- Canadian Experience Class applicants
- French-speaking candidates
- Healthcare workers
- Skilled trades professionals
The strategy aligns with Canada’s broader immigration plan aimed at strengthening economic growth and supporting workforce shortages nationwide.
Express Entry invitations issued in 2026
Canada has issued 72,007 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry so far in 2026.
Current ITA distribution includes:
- Canadian Experience Class: 34,250
- French-language proficiency: 26,000
- Provincial Nominee Program: 4,116
- Healthcare and social services: 4,000
- Trades occupations: 3,000
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 250
Future outlook for Express Entry candidates
Immigration analysts expect Canada to continue conducting regular Express Entry draws throughout the remainder of 2026, especially for candidates already contributing to the Canadian economy.
Provincial nomination programs are expected to remain a major pathway for skilled immigrants seeking Canadian permanent residence, particularly for applicants with in-demand occupations and work experience aligned with provincial labour market needs.
Candidates hoping to improve their chances are encouraged to explore provincial nomination opportunities and category-based Express Entry pathways as competition within the immigration system continues to evolve.
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