IRCC Continues 2026 Express Entry Momentum with Provincial Nominee Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has carried forward its active start to 2026 by issuing another round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system. The latest selection focused exclusively on candidates nominated by Canadian provinces under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
In this draw, IRCC issued 681 ITAs to Express Entry candidates who had secured a provincial nomination. As is typical for PNP-specific rounds, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off remained high, reflecting the additional 600 CRS points awarded to nominees.
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to:
- Hold a minimum CRS score of 746
- Have created their Express Entry profile before 4:09 a.m. (UTC) on November 19, 2025
This selection marks the second PNP-specific draw and the third Express Entry draw overall conducted in 2026. It follows a Provincial Nominee draw earlier in January, as well as a large Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw that targeted candidates with recent Canadian work experience.
Express Entry Draw Activity So Far in 2026
IRCC’s early 2026 draw pattern clearly signals a continued emphasis on candidates who are already contributing to the Canadian labour market or who have strong ties to specific provinces.
So far this year:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 2 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 1 draw
In total, 9,255 ITAs have been issued in the first few weeks of 2026:
- 8,000 ITAs through the Canadian Experience Class
- 1,255 ITAs through Provincial Nominee Program draws
This approach aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy, which prioritizes individuals who are already in Canada, have Canadian work experience, or are selected by provinces to meet local labour market needs.
Why January Draws Matter
January is traditionally a high-activity period for Express Entry. IRCC often increases invitations early in the year to ensure that enough approved applicants are available to meet annual permanent resident admission targets.
Because there is typically a processing and settlement lag of several months between receiving an ITA and landing in Canada as a permanent resident, early-year invitations play a crucial role in meeting federal immigration goals later in the year.
For candidates, this means:
- Early draws can set the tone for the entire year
- Provincial nominations continue to be one of the strongest pathways to permanent residence
- Candidates with Canadian experience or provincial ties remain highly competitive
What This Means for Candidates
This latest draw reinforces the importance of:
- Exploring provincial nomination opportunities
- Maintaining an up-to-date and competitive Express Entry profile
- Strategically planning CRS score improvements through work experience, language scores, or provincial pathways
As IRCC continues to focus on in-Canada candidates and provincial nominees, applicants who align with these priorities stand a stronger chance of receiving an invitation in 2026.
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