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September 29, 2026
September 29, 2026

Alberta invited at least 380 workers to apply for Provincial Nomination between September 10 and 23, 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada, Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Trying to move to Canada permanently and wondering which province is actually inviting people right now? Alberta just gave a clear answer.

Between September 10 and 23, 2026, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held several draws and invited at least 380 candidates to apply for provincial nomination. Most of the invitations went to workers in healthcare, tech, manufacturing and agriculture.

Being invited is a big step, but it isn’t the finish line. Candidates who received an invitation can now submit their nomination application to the province. Those the province approves can then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.

There is also some good news for people who are already working in Canada. Once a provincial nominee has submitted a permanent residence application, they can apply for a bridging open work permit. This permit lets them keep working while the application is processed.

Nominees under the Alberta Opportunity Stream may get even more help. Since June 9, 2026, a temporary federal measure has let qualifying nominees under base provincial nomination programs apply for this work permit months earlier than before. The measure is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2026, so the timing matters if you fall into this group.

Here is a breakdown of the draws.

Draw date Stream/pathway Invitations issued Minimum score
Sept. 23 Alberta Opportunity Stream 113 58
Sept. 22 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway 100 59
Sept. 21 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Law Enforcement Pathway <10 49
Sept. 18 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Health Care) 100 62
Sept. 15 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Agriculture) 18 60
Sept. 10 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Manufacturing) 48 60

A few of these draws set records for 2026 so far:

  • Sept. 23, Alberta Opportunity Stream: the lowest number of invitations for this type of draw this year.
  • Sept. 18, Health Care: the highest number of invitations for a priority sector draw this year.
  • Sept. 15, Agriculture: the highest minimum score for this type of draw this year.
  • Sept. 10, Manufacturing: also the highest minimum score for this type of draw this year.

Almost all of these draws matched the priorities Alberta announced at the start of 2026, which also include construction, aviation and rural settlement. The two exceptions were the Sept. 21 and Sept. 23 rounds.

How big is the competition?

Numbers tell the story best. This table shows how many workers currently have active profiles in the pool, compared with how many invitations have gone out in 2026. The figures are current to Sept. 23.

Stream/pathway Workers with active profiles Invitations issued
Alberta Opportunity Stream 22,315 8,296
Rural Renewal Stream 1,736 1,043
Tourism and Hospitality Stream 3,275 227
Dedicated Health Care Pathways (EE + non-EE) 1,222 895
Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway 1,992 1,466
Alberta Express Entry – Law Enforcement Pathway 45 <50
Alberta Express Entry – Priority sector draws/initiatives 5,011 >1,156

So far in 2026, Alberta has held 80 draws and issued at least 13,089 invitations.

What does this mean for you? Alberta is inviting people steadily, and the province clearly has a type. Workers in healthcare, tech, manufacturing, agriculture and a few other priority areas are getting the most attention. The Alberta Opportunity Stream has the biggest pool of candidates, so competition there is stiff. Smaller pools like Tourism and Hospitality still have a lot of profiles compared with the invitations issued, which shows how important it is to choose the right stream and have a strong profile before you enter the pool.

Ready to Turn Your Alberta Dream Into a Real Plan?

Alberta’s numbers show that opportunities are there, but they go to people who are prepared. Between the different streams, minimum scores, priority sectors and work permit options, it is easy to pick the wrong path or miss a deadline. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Book a consultation with our team and we will look at your situation, your work background and your goals, then point you to the pathway that gives you the best chance. We help with provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, school admissions and more.

Your next step is one click away: Book your consultation here

September 29, 2026
September 29, 2026

Canada invites 733 Provincial Nominees in the September 28, 2026 Express Entry Draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada, Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Holding a provincial nomination and wondering when your invitation would come? For 733 candidates, the wait ended on September 28, 2026, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a draw just for Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination.

Let’s walk through what happened, what it means, and what to do next if you were invited or hope to be in the next round.

The draw at a glance

Draw Detail Value
Draw Category Provincial Nominee Program
Date of Draw September 28, 2026
Number of Invitations Issued 733
CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 725
Tie-Breaking Rule September 17, 2026

To get an invitation, a candidate needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 725. 

The profile date only mattered for people who scored exactly 725. Anyone above 725 received an invitation no matter when they created their profile. Among those at exactly 725, only profiles submitted before that timestamp made the cut.

Why is the score so high?

A cutoff of 725 looks scary until you know the trick behind it. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. So a nominated candidate with a base score of around 125 could reach that cutoff, as long as they met every program requirement and the tie-breaking rule.

That is also why you should never compare a provincial nominee cutoff with the cutoff for the Canadian Experience Class or a category-based draw. Those candidates don’t get the 600-point boost, so the numbers don’t measure the same thing.

How this draw compares to the last one

The previous provincial nominee draw was on September 14. It invited 576 candidates with a cutoff of 734. This time, the cutoff dropped by 9 points to 725, and the number of invitations rose by about 27%.

It was also the biggest provincial nominee draw since June 22, when 955 candidates were invited at a cutoff of 730. Looking at the calendar, these draws have been landing roughly every two weeks since July.

Express Entry draws so far in 2026

The September 28 round was the 57th Express Entry draw of the year. Here is the full list.

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
September 28 Provincial Nominee Program 725 733
September 16 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 389 250
September 15 Canadian Experience Class 519 2,000
September 14 Provincial Nominee Program 734 576
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

The pattern is clear. Candidates with existing ties to Canada, meaning provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience, have featured heavily in 2026 selections. Here is how the year has looked by draw type.

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 19
Canadian Experience Class 16
French-Language proficiency 10
Physicians with Canadian work experience 3
Healthcare and social services 3
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 3
Trades 1
Transport 1
Skilled Military Recruits 1

In total, IRCC has issued 129,715 invitations to apply (ITAs) this year.

Draw Type ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class 53,250
French-Language proficiency 50,500
Provincial Nominee Program 9,270
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Trades 3,000
Transport 300
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 1,000
Skilled Military Recruits 4

Where everyone else stands in the pool

Not everyone in the pool was competing in this draw, so it helps to see the bigger picture. This is how candidates were spread across CRS scores as of September 27, 2026.

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 728
501-600 21,070
451-500 73,131
491-500 12,745
481-490 12,817
471-480 16,465
461-470 16,257
451-460 14,847
401-450 62,611
441-450 13,677
431-440 13,419
421-430 12,173
411-420 11,888
401-410 11,454
351-400 47,298
301-350 17,359
0-300 7,707
Total 229,904

You got an invitation. What now?

First, take a breath, then get moving. You have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application through your Express Entry account. There are no extensions. If the deadline passes, the invitation expires and your profile is removed from the pool. You would then have to build a brand new profile and wait to be selected again.

Start gathering your documents right away. Depending on your situation, you may need:

  • Proof of your work experience
  • Valid language test results
  • Police certificates
  • An immigration medical exam
  • An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), if you are using education completed outside Canada to qualify or to claim CRS points

Then there is the money side. Since April 30, 2026, the government fees are:

  • $990 per adult for processing, plus $600 per adult for the right of permanent residence fee. That is $1,590 per adult.
  • $270 for each dependent child under 22, with no right of permanent residence fee.
  • $85 per person for biometrics, capped at $170 per family.

These figures don’t cover third-party costs like medical exams, police certificates, language tests, or ECAs, which vary by country and provider.

IRCC has a six-month service standard for Express Entry provincial nominee applications. Real processing times can run longer depending on application volumes, background checks, and how complete your file is. Always check IRCC’s processing-time tool for the latest estimate.

If you are already working in Canada and your work permit is close to expiring, a bridging open work permit may keep you working while your PR application is processed. For provincial nominees, the usual conditions are:

  • You are the principal applicant.
  • You live in Canada and plan to live outside Quebec.
  • You submitted a complete PR application that passed the completeness check, and you received an acknowledgement of receipt.
  • Your provincial nomination doesn’t attach any employment restrictions.

If your current permit runs out before the bridging permit is approved, you may be able to keep working under the same conditions through maintained status, as long as you stay in Canada. Family members may also qualify for a bridging open work permit.

Not nominated yet? Here’s what to do

Provincial nominees are still in a strong position in these draws because of that 600-point boost. If you don’t have a nomination yet, keep a close eye on the official provincial immigration pages. Intake windows, targeted occupations, eligibility rules, and nomination spots can change during the year.

You can pursue more than one province at the same time, depending on each program’s rules. Just remember that you can accept only one provincial nomination at a time, and you must truly plan to live in the province that nominates you.

Ready to Turn a Nomination Into Permanent Residence?

A cutoff score, a 60-day deadline, and a stack of documents can make the process feel like a maze. One missed form or expired document can cost you months. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we support clients through provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, school admissions, and more. Whether you are waiting on a nomination, holding an invitation, or still deciding which pathway fits you, we can look at your situation and give you a clear next step.

The September 28 draw invited 733 provincial nominees at a cutoff of 725, the biggest nominee round since June. Holding an invitation means the clock is ticking, and not having one yet means the right strategy matters even more. Whichever side you are on, book your consultation here and let’s plan your next move together: https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes

September 23, 2026
September 23, 2026

Planning to Start a Business in BC? See What the Latest PNP Draw Means for You

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia isn’t slowing down on entrepreneur immigration. On September 22, the province handed out another round of invitations through the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s Entrepreneur Immigration category, this time reaching 10 candidates under the Base Stream and fewer than five under the Regional Stream.

For anyone dreaming of starting or buying a business in BC while building a life in Canada, this draw is worth paying attention to, both for what it says about current demand and for how competitive the process has become.

What happened in this round

Both entrepreneur streams were tapped in this invitation round, with the bulk going to Base Stream applicants. To make the cut, candidates in either stream needed a score of at least 119.

Stream Invitations issued Minimum score
Base Stream 10 119
Regional Stream <5 119

119 is the highest score the Base Stream has required since February, and the highest for the Regional Stream since March. In plain terms, it’s getting harder to land an invitation, and applicants with stronger profiles are being prioritized.

This was British Columbia’s tenth entrepreneur-focused round this year, part of 17 total draws across both streams so far in 2026 (10 for Base, seven for Regional). Here’s how the year has unfolded:

Date of draw Stream Minimum score Invitations issued
22 Sep Base 119 10
Regional 119 <5
25 Aug Base 116 11
Regional 116 5
28 Jul Base 117 10
30 Jun Base 118 14
Regional 113 <5
2 Jun Base 117 15
Regional 117 <5
5 May Base 115 8
Regional 115 <5
14 Apr Base 115 14
10 Mar Base 117 7
Regional 129 <5
10 Feb Base 121 13
Regional 105 <5
14 Jan Base 115 7

So far this year, BC has issued at least 114 entrepreneur invitations, and when you add in Skills Immigration invitations (over 5,300), the province has sent out more than 5,414 invitations across its PNP streams in 2026 alone.

Base Stream or Regional Stream, which one fits you?

This is usually the first question entrepreneurs ask, and honestly, it comes down to where you want to set up shop and what resources you’re bringing to the table.

The Base Stream works for anyone planning to launch a new business anywhere in BC, or take over and grow an existing one. The Regional Stream is built for those willing to set up outside Metro Vancouver, and it asks for a lower net worth and investment in exchange for that regional commitment, plus a couple of extra steps like a community referral and an exploratory visit.

See below 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
Business experience 3 years as owner-manager in the last 10 years 3 years as 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 33.33% 51%
Community referral required? No Yes
Exploratory visit required? No Yes
Minimum registration score 115/200 105/200
Co-applicant registration permitted? Yes No

Note that if you don’t have a post-secondary credential, you can still qualify as long as you’ve owned and actively managed a business full-time for at least three of the last five years.

How the process actually works

Once you’ve picked your stream, the road to permanent residence looks roughly like this:

  • Regional Stream applicants first choose a participating community and complete an exploratory visit to secure a referral
  • Build a solid business proposal
  • Register with the BCPNP and get scored on your human capital and economic profile
  • Wait to be invited in a future draw
  • Submit your provincial nomination application within four months of getting invited
  • Once approved, apply to the federal government for a work permit
  • Relocate to BC and get your business up and running
  • Receive your provincial nomination once you’ve met all program requirements

There’s also good news for timing. Since June 9, 2026, nominees applying for permanent residence through a base PNP pathway can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit much sooner. A temporary federal measure now removes the requirement to wait for an Acknowledgement of Receipt before applying, which shaves valuable time off the process for those who’ve submitted their business performance agreement.

Ready to turn your business plan into a Canadian future?

Between rising score thresholds and a process with several moving parts, from picking the right stream to building a proposal that actually scores well, entrepreneur immigration isn’t something to figure out alone. This latest BC draw is a clear sign that opportunities are still open, but competition is climbing, and the details (your net worth, your ownership share, your business plan) all matter to your final score.

If you’re an entrepreneur thinking about establishing or buying a business in British Columbia, now is a good time to get your eligibility and paperwork in order. Book a consultation with us at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s build a strategy around provincial nomination, work permits, or whichever pathway fits your business goals best.

September 16, 2026
September 16, 2026

Canada issues 2,000 New Express Entry invitations to Canadian Experience Class candidates

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada

Dear future neighbour,

Canada kept its Express Entry momentum going on September 15, 2026, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited another 2,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence. 

See below details of September 15 Express Entry draw:

  • Category: Canadian Experience Class
  • Draw Date: September 15, 2026
  • No. of Invitations: 2,000
  • CRS Cutoff Score: 519
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: March 26, 2026

This was actually the third CEC draw in a row where the score requirement went down. It fell from 523 on August 18, to 521 on September 1, and now to 519. That’s good news if you’ve been sitting just below the cut-off and watching your score creep closer. It suggests the sharp spike we saw in August, when IRCC issued only 1,000 invitations and pushed the score requirement to its highest point of the year, was more of a one-off than a new normal. Since then, invitation numbers have gone back up to 2,000 per round, and the score needed has been easing back down with them.

With this round, Canada has now held 55 Express Entry draws so far in 2026, bringing the total number of invitations issued this year to well over 120,000.

Who this draw was really for

The Canadian Experience Class is built for people who already have skilled work experience in Canada. To qualify, you generally need:

  • At least 12 months of full-time (or the part-time equivalent) skilled work in Canada, in a job classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, completed within the three years before you apply
  • A minimum language score of CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, in English or French
  • An intention to live outside Quebec

One thing that makes CEC stand out from some of the other Express Entry categories is that you don’t need to show proof of funds. If your work was gained through a valid work permit, including a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and your job matches the NOC code on your profile, that experience should count. Just make sure your paperwork, like pay stubs and reference letters, backs it up.

There’s also a helpful safety net for people already in Canada on a work permit that’s about to expire while their Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) application is still being processed. As long as you stay in Canada, you can keep working under your existing conditions while IRCC finalizes things, and eligible family members may qualify for a BOWP too.

See below how the recent CEC draws have trended

Draw Date Invitations Issued CRS Cut-off
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
September 15, 2026 2,000 519

If you have your sights on permanent residence through Canadian Experience Class, the pattern here matters. Smaller draws tend to push scores up, while larger draws bring them back down. So if your CRS score is close to the 510-520 range, staying active and keeping your profile updated really can pay off within just a few rounds.

Once invited, candidates have 60 calendar days to submit a complete application, so it helps to have your documents ready well before an ITA lands in your inbox.

Not sure where you stand? Let’s find out together

Every draw tells a slightly different story, and CRS cut-offs can shift from one round to the next depending on how many people are in the pool and how big IRCC decides to make that draw. If your score is close to the mark, or if you’re not sure which Express Entry category fits your background best, the smartest move is to get a clear picture of your options before the next draw happens, not after.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help people navigate exactly this kind of decision, whether it’s positioning your profile for Express Entry, exploring a provincial nomination, applying for a work permit or postgraduate work permit, sponsoring a spouse, planning a visit or super visa, working toward citizenship, or even sorting out school admissions. Book a consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s discuss the right path for your Canadian journey.

 

September 14, 2026
September 14, 2026

Canada invites 576 PNP candidates in latest Express Entry draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

If you’ve been holding a provincial nomination and waiting for your shot at permanent residence, Canada just gave out some good news.

Today, September 14, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ran another Express Entry draw, and this one was just for people who already had a provincial nomination.

See below details of September 14 Express Entry draw

  • Draw Date: September 14, 2026
  • Draw Category: Provincial Nominee Program
  • No. of Invitations: 576
  • CRS Cutoff Score: 734
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: August 29, 2026

Two weeks before this, on August 31, a similar draw invited 562 people at a cutoff of just 697 – the lowest score all year for this category. This time, the score jumped up to 734, that’s 37 points higher. It’s a good reminder that these scores can move quite a bit in a short space of time, so what worked two weeks ago doesn’t always work today.

This was actually the 18th draw this year reserved just for provincial nominees, and the cutoff score has ranged anywhere from 697 to 805 in 2026. So while 734 might sound high if you’re just starting out, it’s actually pretty average for the year.

Here’s how invitations have been spread across the different Express Entry categories so far in 2026:

Draw Type ITAs Issued (2026 so far)
Canadian Experience Class 51,250
French-Language proficiency 50,500
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Provincial Nominee Program 8,537
Trades 3,000
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 750
Transport 300
Skilled Military Recruits 4

What this really tells you is that Express Entry isn’t just one lane – there are several ways people are getting invited. But a provincial nomination is still one of the strongest tools you can have, because it adds a big 600 points to your score the moment it’s confirmed.

What happens after you get the invite

Getting invited is exciting, but it’s really just the beginning. You now have 60 days to put together and submit your full application for permanent residence. That time disappears fast once you factor in medical exams, police certificates, language test results, and anything else still outstanding. And missing that deadline isn’t just a delay – your profile gets removed from the pool completely, meaning you’d have to start all over again.

One thing worth knowing if you’re already working in Canada: if your current work permit is due to expire before a decision comes back on your PR application, you may be able to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit. This lets you keep working under your current conditions while everything gets processed, and sometimes your family members can apply for one too.

Let’s Discuss Your Path to Canada Together

Express Entry moves fast, and the score you need can shift by dozens of points in just two weeks. Whether you’re working toward a provincial nomination, unsure if your CRS score is competitive, or you’ve already been invited and need help getting your application in before the 60-day deadline, having someone guide you can save you a lot of stress.

At Eseumoh Immigration, we help clients through every step of the process — provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. If you want to know exactly where you stand and what to do next, book a consultation with us today: https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes

September 14, 2026
September 14, 2026

Manitoba invited hundreds of international graduates and their spouses in latest MPNP

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future  neighbour,

On September 10, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued 793 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs). The largest share, 508 invitations, went to Manitoba graduates and spouses of Manitoba graduates. Healthcare workers picked up 233 invitations, francophones got 11, and 41 went to candidates recruited through strategic initiatives.

Anyone who received an LAA now has 60 days to submit a complete application for provincial nomination.

The numbers

Stream/pathway Selection category LAAs issued Cut-off score
Skilled Worker in Manitoba Post-secondary study in Manitoba 508 825
Employment in a healthcare occupation 233 N/A
Francophones 11 N/A
Skilled Worker Stream – in Manitoba and Overseas Direct invitation under a strategic recruitment initiative 41 N/A

Of the 793 total invitations, 272 candidates had already declared a valid Express Entry profile, meaning their nomination could eventually stack with a federal Express Entry application for extra points.

To qualify under the graduate category, candidates (or their spouse) needed to have completed post-secondary studies in Manitoba and held an EOI score of at least 825. They’ll need to back this up with a diploma and transcript later in the process.

Healthcare selections came from candidates already working in Manitoba under Broad Occupational Category 3 of Canada’s National Occupational Classification, which covers a wide range of health-related roles, from support work to professional and technical positions.

The 41 strategic recruitment invitations broke down like this:

Initiative LAAs issued
Employer Services 17
Francophone Community 12
Ethnocultural Communities 7
Regional Communities 3
Temporary Public Policy (TPP) 2

Once nominated, candidates can request a work permit support letter and apply for a work permit while their PR application is processed. Many also become eligible for a bridging open work permit once that PR application is submitted.

Candidates still waiting in the EOI pool aren’t left out either. Those holding a Manitoba support letter issued on or before December 31, 2025, confirming their pool placement, and who hold, recently held, or applied to renew a work permit, may still qualify for a special work permit under a temporary public policy.

Not sure where you stand?

Immigration rules shift often, and missing one detail can cost you an invitation you actually qualified for. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help with provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visiting visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. Book a consultation at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s find out where you fit.

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 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.

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