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Monthly Archives: September 2026

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September 7, 2026
September 7, 2026

Newfoundland and Labrador opened 97 more doors to Permanent Residence

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Newfoundland and Labrador isn’t slowing down on immigration this year. On September 4, the province sent out 97 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination, marking its 13th round of the year so far. For the people who received one, this is a real, tangible step toward permanent residence in Canada.

Here’s the part that makes this round stand out: every single invitation went to candidates under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP). None went to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) this time around. This has only happened once before, back when the province first switched to its Expression of Interest (EOI) system in February 2025. So if you’re wondering why your AIP profile hasn’t been picked yet, you’re not alone, and it’s not necessarily anything you’re doing wrong.

One thing worth knowing if you’re applying from inside Canada: since June 9, 2026, many provincial nominees can now get a Bridging Open Work Permit before they even receive their Acknowledgement of Receipt. In plain terms, that means you can keep working and maintain your status while your PR application is being processed, instead of being left in limbo.

How this round compares to the rest of 2026

Newfoundland and Labrador has been fairly active this year, and the numbers bounce around a lot depending on the province’s needs at the time. Here’s how the September 4 draw stacks up against every other round so far:

Date of draw Invitations issued Invitations by program
March 6, 2026 445 NLPNP – 362, AIP – 83
March 30, 2026 245 NLPNP – 209, AIP – 36
April 13, 2026 210 NLPNP – 177, AIP – 33
May 1, 2026 190 NLPNP – 157, AIP – 33
May 11, 2026 186 NLPNP – 168, AIP – 18
May 28, 2026 103 NLPNP – 84, AIP – 19
June 10, 2026 108 NLPNP – 89, AIP – 19
July 10, 2026 57 NLPNP – 17, AIP – 40
July 28, 2026 445 NLPNP – 400, AIP – 45
August 10, 2026 208 NLPNP – 186, AIP – 22
August 18, 2026 122 NLPNP – 122
August 26, 2026 140 NLPNP – 94, AIP – 46
September 4, 2026 97 NLPNP – 97

Since the start of the year, the province has now issued 2,556 invitations combined, 2,162 through the NLPNP and 394 through the AIP. The province doesn’t publish which specific NLPNP streams or job sectors these candidates come from, so if you’re keeping track of your own EOI, the safest move is to stay ready rather than try to predict the pattern.

So how do you actually get into this pool?

If you’re hoping to be one of the next names called, here’s the process in a nutshell:

You start by submitting an Expression of Interest through the province’s Immigration Accelerator Portal. This isn’t a full application yet, it’s more like putting your profile in the running. You’ll need to share details about your education, your work history, how well you speak English or French, and your plans for settling in the province. If you’re applying under one of the worker streams, you’ll also need a valid job offer in hand.

From there, the province reviews the pool of EOIs and selects candidates based on what it currently needs. Some candidates get priority, particularly those working in healthcare, those willing to settle outside the bigger cities, French speakers, and graduates of a Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary school. If any of these apply to you, it’s worth making sure your profile reflects that clearly.

Once you’re invited, the clock starts ticking. You’ll have 60 days to submit a complete application for your provincial nomination. Get that right, and you’ll receive a nomination certificate, which lets you apply to the federal government for permanent residence. If that application is approved, you’ll get your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, and that’s the big one.

One more thing to keep an eye on: your EOI is only valid for 12 months. If you don’t get invited within that window, you’ll need to submit a fresh profile to stay in the running.

Current PR processing times

Application type Processing time (as of September 4)
Base PNP 13 months
Enhanced PNP 7 months

As you can see, the enhanced stream moves considerably faster, so it’s worth understanding which category your application falls under before you plan around timelines.

Ready to Turn Your Invitation Into a Real Plan?

Getting invited is exciting, but it’s also where a lot of people get stuck. The paperwork, the deadlines, the fine print about worker streams and priority criteria, it adds up fast, and a small mistake here can cost you months. Whether you’re putting together your EOI for the first time, sitting on an invitation and unsure what’s next, or trying to figure out if you even qualify, we can walk through it with you. Our team handles provincial nominations, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions, so wherever you are in the process, there’s a good chance we’ve helped someone in your exact situation before. Book a free consultation at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s map out your next step together.

September 4, 2026
September 4, 2026

Could you be one of Canada’s next 3,500 Healthcare invitees?

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s Express Entry system has just delivered good news for healthcare and social services workers hoping to call the country home permanently. Today, September 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out 3,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, targeting candidates in this exact category.

See below details of September 4 Express Entry draw:

  • Draw Category: Healthcare and social services
  • Draw Date: September 4, 2026
  • No. of Invitations: 3,500
  • CRS Cut-off Score: 475
  • Tie- Breaking Rule: May 26, 2026

This marks the third healthcare and social services draw of the year, bringing the total number of ITAs issued under this category to 11,500 so far in 2026. It’s part of a much bigger pattern too, since this was Canada’s 53rd Express Entry draw of the year, and the government has now handed out 121,156 invitations across all categories.

Here’s a full breakdown of every draw held so far this year:

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
September 4 Healthcare and social services 475 3,500
September 3 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 198 229
September 1 Canadian Experience Class 521 2,000
August 31 Provincial Nominee Program 697 562
August 19 French-Language proficiency 382 5,000
August 18 Canadian Experience Class 523 1,000
August 17 Provincial Nominee Program 760 442
August 7 Transport 470 300
August 6 French-Language proficiency 391 5,000
August 5 Canadian Experience Class 516 3,000
August 4 Provincial Nominee Program 768 507
July 23 Skilled Military Recruits 368 4
July 22 French-Language proficiency 399 5,000
July 21 Canadian Experience Class 516 2,000
July 20 Provincial Nominee Program 744 511
July 10 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 392 500
July 9 French-Language proficiency 420 5,000
July 7 Canadian Experience Class 517 2,000
July 6 Provincial Nominee Program 708 534
June 25 Healthcare and social services 475 4,000
June 24 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 223 271
June 23 Canadian Experience Class 516 4,000
June 22 Provincial Nominee Program 730 955
May 28 French-Language proficiency 409 4,500
May 27 Canadian Experience Class 518 3,000
May 25 Provincial Nominee Program 805 334
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 786 324
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

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that candidates with real ties to Canada, whether through a provincial nomination or hands-on Canadian work experience, keep getting priority. Those two categories alone account for 32 of the 53 draws this year.

For healthcare workers specifically, this is one of the friendliest CRS thresholds you’ll find across any Express Entry category. Compare 475 to what Canadian Experience Class candidates need (often north of 500), and it’s easy to see why this stream has become such an important pathway for nurses, personal support workers, social workers, and other essential care providers.

If you work in healthcare or social services and have been sitting on the fence about applying, this draw is a strong reminder that Canada genuinely needs you and is actively making room. But CRS scores shift with every draw, and profiles that don’t meet the cut-off simply sit and wait. Understanding where you stand, and what you can do to strengthen your profile, makes all the difference between getting invited in the next round or watching it pass you by.

Ready to Turn This Opportunity Into Your Permanent Residence?

Every Express Entry draw is a fresh chance to move closer to a new life in Canada, but only if your profile is built the right way. Whether you’re exploring healthcare-category Express Entry, provincial nomination, a work permit, a postgraduate work permit, spousal sponsorship, a visitor visa, a super visa, citizenship, or school admissions, our team at Ese Umoh Immigration is here to guide you through it step by step. Book a one-on-one consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s map out the fastest, most reliable route to your Canadian future.

September 4, 2026
September 4, 2026

Canada invites 229 physicians in September 3 Express Entry draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s Express Entry system had another busy round this week, and this one was great news for physicians already working in the country. On September 3, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada sent out 229 invitations to apply for permanent residence, targeting doctors with Canadian work experience.

See below details of September 3, Express Entry draw

  • Draw Category: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
  • Draw Date: September 3, 2026
  • No. of Invitations: 229
  • CRS Cut-off Score: 198
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: August 6, 2026

This brings the total number of Express Entry draws for 2026 up to 52. Compared to earlier rounds for physicians this year, this one stands out for two reasons: it had the smallest number of invitations issued so far, yet the second-highest score requirement.

If you look at how the year has gone, one pattern keeps showing up. Canada is leaning heavily toward people who already have a connection to the country, whether through provincial nominations or hands-on Canadian work experience. This draw fits right into that trend.

Here’s a quick look at recent Express Entry draws:

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
September 3 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 198 229
September 1 Canadian Experience Class 521 2,000
August 31 Provincial Nominee Program 697 562
August 19 French-Language proficiency 382 5,000
August 18 Canadian Experience Class 523 1,000
August 17 Provincial Nominee Program 760 442
August 7 Transport 470 300
August 6 French-Language proficiency 391 5,000
August 5 Canadian Experience Class 516 3,000
August 4 Provincial Nominee Program 768 507
July 23 Skilled Military Recruits 368 4
July 22 French-Language proficiency 399 5,000
July 21 Canadian Experience Class 516 2,000
July 20 Provincial Nominee Program 744 511
July 10 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 392 500
July 9 French-Language proficiency 420 5,000
July 7 Canadian Experience Class 517 2,000
July 6 Provincial Nominee Program 708 534
June 25 Healthcare and social services 475 4,000
June 24 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 223 271
June 23 Canadian Experience Class 516 4,000
June 22 Provincial Nominee Program 730 955
May 28 French-Language proficiency 409 4,500
May 27 Canadian Experience Class 518 3,000
May 25 Provincial Nominee Program 805 334
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 786 324
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

Since the year started, IRCC has sent out 117,656 invitations across all Express Entry categories combined. The Canadian Experience Class and French-Language proficiency streams have led the pack, with over 50,000 invitations issued through each one alone. Provincial nominees follow at 7,961, and healthcare workers at 8,000. Physicians specifically have received 891 invitations so far this year across three separate draws.

What does this mean if you’re a physician working in Canada right now, or hoping to get there? It tells you the door is open, but it’s a narrow one. With just three physician-specific draws all year and invitation numbers shrinking each round, timing and profile strength matter more than ever. A well-optimized Express Entry profile, backed by the right Canadian work experience and language scores, can be the difference between getting an invitation and watching one pass you by.

Ready to Make Your Move to Canada?

Whether you’re a physician building Canadian work experience, a skilled professional eyeing provincial nomination, or a family looking to reunite through spousal sponsorship, the immigration pathway that fits you exists – you just need the right guidance to find it. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients navigate Express Entry, provincial nominee programs, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions, every step of the way. Don’t leave your Canadian future to guesswork. Book a consultation with us today and let’s map out the fastest, safest route to get you there.

September 3, 2026
September 3, 2026

What August’s Express Entry draws reveal about 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s Express Entry pool barely moved over the last two weeks of August, and that’s actually the interesting part of the story. Between August 16 and August 30, the pool dropped by just 186 profiles overall, even though nearly 1,800 candidates in the 351–400 CRS range dropped out. At the same time, the number of top-scoring candidates climbed. If you’ve been tracking your own Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and wondering where you stand, this update gives a clear, current picture.

Where the Express Entry pool stands right now

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a snapshot of the Express Entry pool every two weeks, breaking candidates down by CRS score range. Here’s how the pool looked on August 30, compared to the previous count on August 16:

CRS score range August 30 August 16 Difference
0–300 7,735 7,709 +26
301–350 17,495 17,269 +226
351–400 46,824 48,600 −1,776
401–410 10,723 10,688 +35
411–420 11,183 11,269 −86
421–430 11,811 11,890 −79
431–440 13,233 13,229 +4
441–450 13,463 13,555 −92
451–460 14,800 14,814 −14
461–470 16,099 16,133 −34
471–480 16,981 16,626 +355
481–490 13,273 13,066 +207
491–500 12,952 12,915 +37
501–600 19,542 18,657 +885
601–1,200 559 439 +120
Total 226,673 226,859 −186

Two things stand out. First, the mid-to-low CRS bands (351–400) saw the biggest drop, which usually happens when a draw pulls a large batch of candidates out of that range. Second, the top end of the pool (501–600) grew by 885 candidates, meaning more high-scoring profiles are joining or improving their standing. If your score sits below 400, you’re in the largest, most crowded part of the pool right now. If you’re above 500, you’re in a much smaller, more competitive group.

Recent draws tell the same story

This growth at the top and thinning in the middle lines up with the draws IRCC actually held. Between August 16 and August 30, two rounds went out:

Date of draw Round type Invitations issued CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate
August 17 Provincial Nominee Program 442 760
August 18 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 523
August 19 French-Language proficiency 5,000 382

Notably, the August 18 Canadian Experience Class draw had the highest cutoff of any CEC round held so far this year, which explains why so many mid-range profiles left the pool.

Two more draws followed right after this snapshot was taken, on August 31 and September 1, inviting a combined 2,562 candidates:

Date of draw Round type Invitations issued CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate
August 31 Provincial Nominee Program 562 697
September 1 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 521

With those included, IRCC has issued 117,427 invitations through Express Entry so far in 2026, and Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the largest share of any group, at 43.6% of the year’s total.

Category-based selection is under review for 2027

Separately from these regular draws, IRCC opened a public consultation between August 4 and September 1, 2026, asking whether its category-based selection categories, currently including healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, and French-language proficiency, should be adjusted for 2027. The department gathered input from the public, employers, unions, settlement organizations, and immigration researchers as part of the process.

No decisions have been made yet, and IRCC has not confirmed any changes to categories or occupation lists. In past years, new category announcements have typically come out in February, so candidates relying on category eligibility can expect to hear more in the coming months rather than immediately.

A few confirmed data points are worth knowing if you’re weighing your options. French-language proficiency has become the largest category by far, accounting for 49.2% of non-PNP Express Entry invitations in 2025, up sharply from 17.8% in 2023. Canada’s current immigration levels plan sets French-speaking admission targets at 9% for 2026, rising to 9.5% in 2027 and 10.5% in 2028. Healthcare and social services also grew, from 9.7% of invitations in 2023 to 18.6% in 2025. The Transport category, meanwhile, has a track record of change: it launched in 2023, was removed entirely in 2025, and returned again for 2026, so it’s historically been the most variable of the group.

What this means for you

Whether your CRS score puts you in the crowded middle of the pool or you’re wondering how a future policy review might affect your occupation’s eligibility, the smartest move is getting a clear, personalized read on your file before you make any decisions.

Let’s map out your best path to Canadian PR. Every Express Entry profile is different, and general pool data can only tell you so much. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients understand exactly where they stand and how to strengthen their applications across every pathway, including provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. Book a one-on-one consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s build a strategy that actually fits your situation.

September 3, 2026
September 3, 2026

IRCC Opens September With a 2,000-Invitation Express Entry Draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s first Express Entry draw of September just landed, and it’s good news for candidates who’ve been watching the score requirements climb. On September 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521.

If you’ve been sitting just above or below the low 520s, this draw tells you something important: the score you need isn’t set in stone, and it moves depending on how many invitations IRCC decides to hand out.

See below details of September 1 Express Entry draw

  • Draw Category: Canadian Experience Class
  • Draw Date: September 1, 2026
  • Invitations Issued: 2,000
  • CRS Cut-Off Score: 521
  • Tie-Break Date: August 18, 2026

This comes just two points below the previous CEC draw on August 18, which had a cut-off of 523 – the highest CEC score recorded all year. The reason is simple: that August 18 round only offered 1,000 spots, and fewer invitations almost always mean tougher competition. By doubling the invitations this time around, IRCC naturally reached a little deeper into the pool, and the score requirement eased slightly.

Why Your Score Requirement Keeps Changing

This is the pattern worth understanding if you’re planning your own Express Entry strategy: draw size and CRS cut-off move in opposite directions. Smaller draws push scores up. Bigger draws bring them back down. It’s not random, it’s just math.

Here’s how that’s played out across every CEC draw so far in 2026:

Draw Date Invitations Issued CRS Cut-Off
January 7, 2026 8,000 511
January 21, 2026 6,000 509
February 17, 2026 6,000 508
March 3, 2026 4,000 508
March 17, 2026 4,000 507
March 31, 2026 2,250 509
April 14, 2026 2,000 515
April 28, 2026 2,000 514
May 27, 2026 3,000 518
June 23, 2026 4,000 516
July 7, 2026 2,000 517
July 21, 2026 2,000 516
August 5, 2026 3,000 516
August 18, 2026 1,000 523
September 1, 2026 2,000 521

Notice the trend: back in January and February, IRCC was issuing 6,000 to 8,000 invitations per round, and scores sat comfortably in the low 510s. As the year went on and volumes shrank, the bar for getting invited crept steadily higher. IRCC front-loaded its invitations early in the year, which is exactly why it can afford to slow things down now without missing its annual targets.

What this means if your score is below 521

Not everyone sitting in the mid-500s needs to just wait around. A few genuinely useful moves can push your CRS score higher:

  • Retake your language test. Jumping just one proficiency band on IELTS or CELPIP can add 15 to 30 points, especially if you’re close to CLB 9 across all four skills.
  • Add a French test. Category-based French-language draws have run at cut-offs as low as the 380s to 420s this year – dramatically lower than CEC thresholds.
  • Pursue a provincial nomination. A nomination adds a flat 600 points to your CRS score, which puts you well ahead of any CEC or general draw.
  • Boost education or work experience. These help offset the natural points you lose as you get older, particularly past age 30.

Since March, IRCC has also settled into a pattern: a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw kicks off a cluster, a CEC draw follows a day or two later, and a category-based draw (often French-language) rounds things out. The August 31 PNP round opened this latest cluster, and the latest CEC draw was the second piece – so don’t be surprised if another category-based draw follows within the next few days.

Received your invitation? Here’s what to do next

If you were invited in this round, the clock is already running. You have 60 calendar days from the date the invitation appears in your account to submit a complete application and that window cannot be extended.

Log into your Express Entry profile now to confirm your status, then get your documents in order: police certificates, your upfront medical exam, valid language test results, and proof of your Canadian work experience. Double-check expiry dates too, since an expired document is one of the fastest ways to have an application sent back.

Let’s Get Your Application Right, The First Time

Express Entry rewards preparation. Whether you’re chasing a higher CRS score, weighing a provincial nomination, or racing against a 60-day application deadline, small mistakes can cost you months of waiting. That’s where having someone in your corner makes the difference.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients navigate every step of the Canadian immigration journey – from Express Entry and provincial nomination strategy to work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. If you’ve received an invitation, are trying to boost your CRS score, or simply want a clear plan forward, book a consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s map out your path to permanent residence together.

 

September 1, 2026
September 1, 2026

BC just issued 16 more invitations for entrepreneurs: Is your business idea ready?

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia has once again opened its doors to entrepreneurs looking to build a future in Canada. On August 25, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) held another round of invitations under its Entrepreneur Immigration category, giving 16 more business owners a shot at permanent residence.

If you’ve been dreaming of starting or growing a business in British Columbia while securing PR for yourself and your family, this draw is worth paying close attention to.

What happened in this draw

This was BC’s 21st PNP draw of the year and the ninth one dedicated specifically to entrepreneurs. Invited candidates now have the chance to apply for provincial nomination, which puts them on the path to Canadian permanent residence.

The invitations were split between two streams:

Stream Minimum score Invitations issued
Base 116 11
Regional 116 5

Interestingly, both streams shared the same cutoff score this time around, even though the numbers invited weren’t equal. Worth noting too: this round produced the highest number of Regional Stream invitations of any draw so far in 2026, a good sign for entrepreneurs eyeing opportunities outside Metro Vancouver.

How this draw compares to earlier ones this year

BC has been steady with its entrepreneur draws throughout 2026. Here’s how the recent rounds stack up:

Date of draw Stream Invitations issued Minimum score
August 25, 2026 Base 11 116
Regional 5 116
July 28, 2026 Base 10 117
June 30, 2026 Base 14 118
Regional <5 113
June 2, 2026 Base 15 117
Regional <5 117
May 5, 2026 Base 8 115
Regional <5 115
April 14, 2026 Base 14 115
March 10, 2026 Base 7 117
Regional <5 129
February 10, 2026 Base 13 121
Regional <5 105
January 13, 2026 Base 7 115

Altogether, BC has run nine entrepreneur selection rounds this year, resulting in 15 individual draws (nine Base and six Regional). More than 104 entrepreneurs have been invited so far in 2026, and when you combine that with BC’s other PNP streams, the province has issued over 4,942 invitations to date this year. That’s a lot of opportunity on the table.

Base Stream vs. Regional Stream: what’s the difference?

Both streams lead to the same destination, permanent residence through BC, but they don’t ask the same things of applicants. Here’s a side-by-side look:

Criteria Base Stream Regional Stream
Business type Launch a new business or take over and grow an existing one Launch a new business outside Metro Vancouver Regional District
Business experience 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 10 years 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 5 years
Education* Post-secondary credential Post-secondary credential
Minimum language proficiency CLB 4 CLB 4
Minimum personal net worth $600,000 $300,000
Minimum investment $200,000 $100,000
Minimum ownership 31.33% 51%
Community referral required? No Yes
Exploratory visit required? No Yes
Minimum registration score 115/200 105/200
Registration with co-applicant permitted? Yes No

If you don’t have a post-secondary credential, you can still qualify by showing at least three years of hands-on business ownership and management experience within the past five years, as long as you fully owned the business.

Notice how the Regional Stream asks for a smaller investment and a lower net worth, but expects full ownership and a couple of extra steps. It’s built for entrepreneurs willing to set up shop outside the Metro Vancouver area, and in exchange, the province lowers the financial bar a little.

What the journey to PR actually looks like

Getting nominated isn’t a one-step process, but it is a clear one. Here’s the general path:

  1. Regional Stream applicants first pick a participating community that fits their business idea.
  2. Regional Stream applicants also complete an exploratory visit and secure a community referral.
  3. Put together a solid business proposal.
  4. Register with the BCPNP and get scored based on your human capital and economic profile.
  5. Wait for an invitation to apply in a future draw.
  6. Once invited, submit your nomination application within four months.
  7. If approved, apply to the federal government for a work permit.
  8. Move to BC and get your business up and running while on that work permit.
  9. Once you’ve met the program’s requirements, receive your provincial nomination.

From there, you can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence, no separate Express Entry profile needed for this route.

Thinking of building your business in BC?

Whether you’re eyeing a bustling opportunity in Metro Vancouver or looking to plant roots in a smaller BC community through the Regional Stream, this pathway can turn your entrepreneurial ambition into Canadian permanent residence for you and your family. But between choosing the right stream, building a business proposal that actually scores well, and navigating each step without missing a deadline, it helps to have someone in your corner who knows the process inside and out.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we guide entrepreneurs and skilled workers through every route into Canada, including provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. If you’re ready to find out where you stand and map out your next move, book a consultation with us today: https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes

September 1, 2026
September 1, 2026

Canada invites 562 candidates in latest Express Entry draw as PNP cutoff drops to 697 CRS

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada just made it noticeably easier for provincial nominees to land an invitation for permanent residence. On August 31, IRCC ran another Express Entry draw for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the numbers tell a good story for anyone sitting in the pool with a nomination in hand.

See below details of August 31 Express Entry draw

  • Draw Date: August 31, 2026
  • Program: Provincial Nominee Program
  • No. of Invitations: 562
  • CRS Score: 697
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: April 12, 2026

Anyone with a provincial nomination automatically gets a 600-point boost added to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, so a cutoff of 697 really means candidates only needed a base score of roughly 97 before that bonus kicked in. That’s about as accessible as this pathway has been in 2026.

Why the cutoff dropped so fast

Cutoffs like this usually come down to supply. When provinces release a fresh batch of nominations, more candidates suddenly show up in the pool with scores above 601, and IRCC can afford to fill its invitation round at a lower threshold. That’s exactly what happened here, likely fuelled by Ontario’s new Workforce Priority stream, which opened its expression of interest portal in early August, alongside steady nomination activity out of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan through the summer.

PNP cutoffs climbed steadily from March through May, peaking at 805 on May 25, then reversed course once June arrived. Today’s 697 sits 108 points below that spring peak, confirming that the summer trend toward lower, more accessible cutoffs isn’t slowing down.

Every PNP draw in 2026 so far

Date Invitations Issued CRS Cutoff
August 31, 2026 562 697
August 17, 2026 442 760
August 4, 2026 507 768
July 20, 2026 511 744
July 6, 2026 534 708
June 22, 2026 955 730
May 25, 2026 334 805
May 11, 2026 380 798
April 27, 2026 473 795
April 13, 2026 324 786
March 30, 2026 356 802
March 16, 2026 362 742
March 2, 2026 264 710
February 16, 2026 279 789
February 3, 2026 423 749
January 20, 2026 681 746
January 5, 2026 574 711

This year’s Express Entry picture at a glance

This was IRCC’s 50th Express Entry draw of 2026, and the invitations have leaned heavily toward candidates already connected to Canada, whether through a provincial nomination or through work experience gained here.

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 17
Canadian Experience Class 14
French-Language Proficiency 10
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 2
Healthcare and Social Services 2
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 2
Trades 1
Transport 1
Skilled Military Recruits 1

Altogether, IRCC has now issued 120,427 invitations to apply across 2026, already ahead of the 113,998 issued through all of 2025.

What the pool looks like right now

As of August 30, one day before this draw, the Express Entry pool held 226,673 candidates, down slightly from 229,100 earlier in the month. Only 559 of those candidates sat in the 601+ CRS band the night before the draw, yet IRCC issued 562 invitations, meaning a handful of fresh nominations must have landed in the pool right before the round closed. That’s a useful reminder that pool numbers shift by the hour, not just by the week.

If you were invited, here’s what matters

Anyone who received an invitation in this round has 60 calendar days to submit a complete application, and that deadline doesn’t bend. Log into your IRCC account and confirm your status shows “Invited to Apply,” then start pulling together your documents right away: police certificates, medical exam results, proof of funds, your educational credential assessment, and language test results. Double-check that nothing expires before you plan to submit, because an expired document can hold up an otherwise strong application.

Missing the 60-day window means losing the invitation entirely, and that’s exactly where things tend to go wrong for people juggling this on their own. If you’d rather not risk it, our team at Ese Umoh Immigration can review your invitation, help you assemble a complete document package, and keep your application on track from start to finish.

Let’s Get You Ready For Your Next Express Entry Draw

Cutoffs are moving, and right now the door for provincial nominees is wider than it’s been all year. Whether you’re building your profile from scratch, chasing a provincial nomination, weighing a work permit or postgraduate work permit as your route into the Canadian labour market, or figuring out how spousal sponsorship, a visitor visa, a super visa, citizenship, or school admissions fits into your bigger plan, timing and preparation make the difference between an invitation you can act on and one you miss. Book a consultation with Ese Umoh Immigration at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s map out the fastest, most realistic path to your Canadian permanent residence.