First Express Entry Draw of July Records Lowest PNP CRS Score of 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has kicked off July with another Express Entry invitation round, bringing encouraging news for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
In the latest Express Entry draw held on July 6, 2026, IRCC issued 534 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had received a provincial nomination. To qualify, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 708 and must have created their Express Entry profile before 2:49 p.m. UTC on June 4, 2026.
Lowest PNP CRS Cut-Off Score This Year
The CRS cut-off of 708 is the lowest score recorded in a Provincial Nominee Program draw in 2026, indicating a positive trend for nominated candidates. It is also the lowest PNP cut-off since November 2025, providing renewed optimism for applicants pursuing provincial nomination pathways.
Express Entry Activity in 2026
So far, IRCC has conducted 35 Express Entry draws during 2026, with a strong focus on candidates who already have ties to Canada through work experience or provincial nominations.
Draws this year have included:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services
- Trades
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience
Among these, Provincial Nominee Program and Canadian Experience Class draws continue to dominate the invitation rounds.
More Than 89,000 Invitations Issued
Since the beginning of 2026, IRCC has issued 89,601 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry.
Breakdown of invitations issued:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 43,250
- French-language proficiency: 30,500
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 5,939
- Healthcare & Social Services: 8,000
- Trades: 3,000
- Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 662
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250
What This Means for Applicants
The lower CRS requirement for Provincial Nominee Program candidates is a positive sign for many skilled workers seeking permanent residence through provincial pathways.
If you are planning to apply under Express Entry, keeping your profile updated and improving your CRS score wherever possible remains essential. Provincial nomination continues to provide one of the strongest pathways to receiving an Invitation to Apply.
As Express Entry draws continue throughout the year, applicants are encouraged to monitor updates closely and prepare their documents in advance to avoid delays once invited.
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