Dear future neighbour,
Canada has officially launched the first Express Entry draw of 2026, marking the beginning of a new year for skilled immigrants hoping to secure permanent residence. On January 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in a draw focused on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
Key Highlights of the January 5 Express Entry Draw
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Draw date: January 5, 2026
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ITAs issued: 574
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Program targeted: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
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Minimum CRS score: 711
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Tie-breaker cutoff: Candidates had to have submitted profiles before October 6, 2025 to be considered if tied at the cut-off score.
This draw represents the first round of Express Entry invitations for the year and continues Canada’s trend of programme-specific and category-based draws. In this case, priority was given to candidates who hold a provincial nomination – a powerful CRS booster that adds 600 points to an applicant’s score and greatly improves their chances of receiving an ITA.
Trends and Changes in the CRS Score Distribution
To help put things into perspective, here’s the CRS score distribution in the Express Entry pool as of January 4, 2026, just one day before the draw and comparison.
| CRS score range | Number of candidates (Jan 4, 2026) | Number of candidates (Dec 14, 2025 | Change |
| 601-1200 | 559 | 390 | 169 |
| 501-600 | 21,013 | 21,792 | -779 |
| 451-500 | 70,523 | 68,700 | 1,823 |
| 491-500 | 12,873 | 12,315 | 558 |
| 481-490 | 12,499 | 12,149 | 350 |
| 471-480 | 15,435 | 14,859 | 576 |
| 461-470 | 14,881 | 14,535 | 346 |
| 451-460 | 14,835 | 14,842 | -7 |
| 401-450 | 65,120 | 66,948 | -1,828 |
| 441-450 | 14,139 | 13,992 | 147 |
| 431-440 | 14,285 | 14,244 | 41 |
| 421-430 | 12,816 | 12,750 | 66 |
| 411-420 | 12,442 | 12,367 | 75 |
| 401-410 | 11,438 | 13,595 | -2,157 |
| 351-400 | 52,469 | 52,574 | -105 |
| 301-350 | 18,745 | 18,829 | -84 |
| 0-300 | 8,125 | 8,069 | 56 |
| Total | 236,554 | 237,302 | -748 |
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
The high CRS cutoff of 711 reflects the competitive nature of PNP-specific draws where candidates nominated by a province already have a significant advantage. Securing a provincial nomination remains one of the strongest strategies to receive an invitation under Express Entry, especially for skilled workers whose core scores might otherwise fall below typical thresholds.
Candidates invited in this draw now have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. IRCC aims to process most complete applications within the standard six-month timeframe once an ITA is issued.
What to Expect in 2026
This first draw sets the tone for the year ahead. While this round focused exclusively on PNP candidates, future draws may include:
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Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws – likely with lower CRS thresholds for those with Canadian work experience.
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Potential French-language focused draws, reflecting Canada’s francophone immigration priorities.
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New categories such as targeted streams for specific occupations, including health professionals.
Whether you’re already in the Express Entry pool or planning to create a profile, 2026 looks set to remain competitive – with multiple pathways and programme streams shaping the year’s selections.
Need help with your Canadian immigration process?
Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.
Schedule a 30-minute / 60- minute consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com