Dear future neighbour,
Canada has started August with another targeted Express Entry draw, and this latest round once again highlights the importance of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) as a pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
On August 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 507 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had received a provincial nomination through Express Entry.
See below details of the draw:
- Draw date: August 4, 2026
- Program: Provincial Nominee
- No. of Invitations: 507
- CRS Score: 768
- Tie-breaking Rule: May 15, 2026
Why Was the CRS Score So High?
A CRS cut-off of 768 may seem unusually high, but this is typical for Provincial Nominee Program draws.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly boosts their ranking in the Express Entry pool. For example, a candidate with a base CRS score of 168 would reach 768 after receiving a provincial nomination.
This is why PNP-specific draws generally have much higher cut-off scores than Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or French-language draws.
See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
A noticeable increase from the previous PNP draw
The previous PNP draw, held on July 20, 2026, invited 511 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 744.
The latest draw represents a 24-point increase in the CRS cut-off, suggesting that competition among provincial nominees remains strong and that provinces continue to nominate candidates who meet specific regional labour market needs.
What this means for Express Entry candidates
This draw reinforces a trend we have seen throughout 2026: IRCC continues to prioritize targeted invitations rather than broad all-program draws.
So far this year, IRCC has focused heavily on:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates
- French-language proficiency candidates
- Healthcare and other targeted occupational categories
For candidates outside Canada or those with lower CRS scores, securing a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to improve the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
If you received an ITA
Candidates invited in this draw generally have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence through their IRCC online account.
If your score was 768 but you were not invited, it is important to verify:
- that your Express Entry profile was submitted before the published tie-breaking date and time; and
- that your provincial nomination remains active and linked correctly to your Express Entry profile.
Need Help Assessing Your Express Entry or PNP Options?
A provincial nomination can dramatically improve your chances of Canadian permanent residence, but choosing the right province and immigration pathway requires careful assessment.
At Ese Umoh Immigration and Consulting, we help individuals and families evaluate their eligibility for Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, identify suitable provincial pathways, and develop a strategy tailored to their immigration goals.
If you would like a professional assessment of your profile, book a consultation with our team today.