Dear future neighbour,
Good news as IRCC sent out fresh invitations to apply for permanent residence. This time around, 279 candidates with provincial nominations got their golden ticket through the Express Entry system.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Express Entry draws this year, you’ll notice something interesting. Canada seems to be playing favorites with certain groups of applicants, and understanding this pattern could be the difference between waiting endlessly and getting your invitation sooner than you think.
What happened in this latest draw?
The latest selection was specifically for people who already have a Provincial Nominee Program certificate. To get picked, you needed two things: a score of at least 789 points on the ranking system, and you must have submitted your profile before early September last year. Yes, that’s a high score, but there’s a reason why it works this way.
Provincial nominees automatically get 600 extra points added to their base score. So if you’re sitting at around 190 points on your own, a provincial nomination shoots you up to 790, putting you well within the range for selection.
The bigger picture for 2026
So far this year, Canada has been laser-focused on three types of candidates: those with provincial nominations, people with Canadian work experience, and French speakers. That’s it. No general draws for everyone in the pool.
Out of the seven draws held so far, four have targeted provincial nominees specifically. Two others went to people with Canadian Experience Class qualifications, and one massive draw invited 8,500 French-speaking candidates.
The numbers tell a clear story. If you’re outside Canada without a provincial nomination or French language skills, your chances of getting picked in a general draw are looking slim right now. But if you have a way to get into one of these three categories, your path becomes much clearer.
See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2026
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Why provincial nominations matter more than ever
Think about it this way. Canada has different provinces with different needs. Alberta needs tech workers. Saskatchewan wants farmers and agriculture specialists. British Columbia is looking for healthcare professionals and skilled tradespeople. Each province runs its own nomination program and chooses people who match what they need.
When a province nominates you, they’re basically telling the federal government, “We want this person in our province.” That carries a lot of weight. Plus, those 600 bonus points make your profile incredibly competitive.
The catch is each province has its own rules, requirements, and processing times. Some look at your work experience, others care more about your education or language scores. Some even require you to have a job offer first.
What should you do next?
If you’re serious about moving to Canada, sitting around waiting for a general Express Entry draw probably isn’t your best strategy anymore. The government has shown us their hand, they want people who are already connected to Canada somehow, whether through work experience here, French language ability, or a provincial nomination.
Start by checking which provinces might be a good fit for your background. Look at what they’re asking for in their recent draws. Are you in an occupation they need? Do you meet their language requirements? Could you get a job offer in that province?
Some people make the mistake of just hoping their score will be enough in a future draw. But hope isn’t a strategy. Getting a provincial nomination is the clearest path forward for most people right now. It’s also worth exploring whether you could qualify for the Canadian Experience Class if you’re already in Canada on a work permit.
Ready to take control of your immigration journey?
The immigration landscape keeps shifting, and what worked last year might not work now. The latest Express Entry patterns show that targeted approaches are winning over the “wait and see” strategy.
Whether you need help understanding provincial nomination options, want to explore Express Entry possibilities, or need guidance on school admissions that could lead to Canadian work experience, having expert support makes all the difference. Don’t leave your future to chance when there are clear pathways available. [Book your consultation now] and let’s build a personalized strategy that actually gets you to Canada.