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Canada
October 29, 2026
October 29, 2026

Canada invites 150 Transport Workers in the October 28, 2026 Express Entry draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s third Express Entry draw of the week is out, and this one was all about transport workers.

On October 28, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent 150 invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Transport Occupations category. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score invited was 477.

See below draw details:

Draw detail Result
Draw number 453
Date October 28, 2026
Round type Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2
Invitations issued 150
Minimum CRS score 477
Tie-break cutoff June 4, 2026

How does this compare with the last Transport draw?

This was only the second Transport draw of 2026. The first took place on August 7, when IRCC issued 300 invitations at a CRS score of 470.

So this time, 150 fewer people were invited and the cut-off score went up by seven points. Changes like this can come from the size of the candidate pool, the number of invitations available, and how candidates rank on the day. One draw is not a promise of what the next one will look like, so please don’t treat 477 as a permanent target.

Here is how this draw fits in with the most recent rounds:

Draw Date Category Invitations CRS cutoff
453 October 28, 2026 Transport Occupations 150 477
452 October 27, 2026 French-Language proficiency 5,000 407
451 October 26, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 792 761
450 October 16, 2026 French-Language proficiency 5,000 435
449 October 15, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,500 519

Who can be invited in a Transport draw?

Being a transport worker is not enough on its own. You first need to qualify for Express Entry through one of three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

On top of that, the 2026 Transport category requires:

  • At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or the same amount of part-time work) within the past three years.
  • All of that experience in one single occupation from the Transport list.
  • Experience that does not have to be continuous, and that can be from inside or outside Canada.

The occupations on the current list are:

  • Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404)
  • Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
  • Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313)
  • Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410)

Note that a job title that sounds similar is not enough. Your actual duties must match the main duties of the NOC code you claim, because that is what IRCC will look at.

Got an invitation? Here’s what to do next

First, congratulations. But an invitation is not an approval, and you still have work to do.

You generally have 60 days to submit a complete application. Everything you submit must match your Express Entry profile, so double-check your work history, job duties, employment dates, language results, education documents and supporting records. Depending on your situation, you may also need police certificates, medical exams or proof of funds. Incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt your application, so take your time and get it right.

If you are already in Canada and have submitted your permanent residence application through Express Entry, you may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit. If you apply for it before your current work permit expires, you can keep working under the same conditions while you wait, as long as you stay in Canada. Eligible family members may also qualify for open work permits.

Big changes are coming on November 3

This is the part many candidates are talking about. From November 3, 2026, Express Entry candidates can earn more CRS points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation.

Here is how it works:

  • An occupation counts as high-wage when its national median wage is at least 1.3 times the average median wage of the Canadian workforce. 186 occupations meet this standard, split into three levels (1.3, 1.5 and 2 times the average).
  • Job offers are worth 50, 70 or 100 points, depending on the wage level.
  • Canadian work experience can earn up to 150 points, or 140 if you have an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. This includes your existing points for length of work, plus up to 70 more for at least one year in a high-wage occupation.
  • You will no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a job offer to earn these points.
  • Candidates invited on or after November 3 will also be exempt from the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers used under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

One more thing to plan for: invitation rounds will pause while IRCC recalculates everyone’s scores under the new system. IRCC says this could take up to two weeks.

Express Entry in 2026 so far

Canada has now held 65 Express Entry draws this year, and the pattern is clear. IRCC has leaned heavily toward candidates who already have a link to Canada, such as provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience.

Draws by type:

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 21
Canadian Experience Class 18
French-Language proficiency 12
Physicians with Canadian work experience 3
Healthcare and social services 3
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 3
Trades 2
Transport 2
Skilled Military Recruits 1

In total, IRCC has issued 149,409 invitations this year:

Draw type ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class 57,750
French-Language proficiency 60,500
Provincial Nominee Program 10,814
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Trades 6,500
Transport 450
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 1,000
Skilled Military Recruits 4

Don’t Wait for the Next Draw to Find Out Where You Stand

With the November 3 changes just days away, your CRS score could look very different very soon, and the right plan today can save you months of waiting. Whether you are a transport worker eyeing the next round, someone sitting in the pool with a score that is just short, or a candidate holding a job offer that may now be worth more, the smartest move is to get your numbers checked and your strategy set before the rules change.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we guide people through every step of the journey, including Express Entry, provincial nomination, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications and school admissions. Book your consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s work out the best route to Canada for you.

October 28, 2026
October 28, 2026

Canada invited 5,000 French-Speaking candidates in the October 27, 2026 Express Entry draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s immigration department was busy this week. On October 27, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence in a French-language Express Entry draw. The lowest score that made the cut was 407.

That is 28 points lower than the previous French-language draw on October 16, when the cutoff was 435. The number of invitations stayed the same, but IRCC went further down the list of French-speaking candidates this time.

It was also the second draw in two days. A Provincial Nominee Program draw took place on October 26 and invited 792 candidates. Together, the two draws sent out 5,792 invitations in just 48 hours.

If your CRS score was stuck somewhere between 407 and 434 and you have strong French, this draw may have been the opening you were waiting for.

See the full results below:

Draw details Results
Express Entry draw number 452
Date October 27, 2026
Draw category French-Language proficiency
Invitations issued 5,000
Minimum CRS score 407
Tie-breaking rule July 13, 2026

The tie-breaking rule only mattered for candidates who scored exactly 407. Where several people had the same score, IRCC looked at when each profile was submitted. Candidates with 407 points whose profiles were submitted before that cutoff time were considered for an invitation, as long as they met all the other requirements.

How the French-language cutoff has moved

The 5,000-invitation size has been steady, but the minimum score has gone up and down quite a bit.

Draw date Invitations Minimum CRS
October 27, 2026 5,000 407
October 16, 2026 5,000 435
August 19, 2026 5,000 382
August 6, 2026 5,000 391
July 22, 2026 5,000 399
July 9, 2026 5,000 420

Across these six rounds, IRCC invited 30,000 French-speaking candidates. The lowest cutoff was 382 on August 19, and the highest was 435 on October 16. The latest score of 407 sits in the middle.

Past results don’t promise anything about future draws, though. A score that qualified last time might not qualify next time, so you can’t plan around one number.

Who can get an invitation in these draws?

French-language draws are for candidates who meet specific language requirements. Under the current category rules, you need at least NCLC 7 in all four skills:

  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing

Your results must come from an approved French-language test and must be less than two years old. You also need to qualify under one of the programs managed through Express Entry.

Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee an invitation. Candidates are still ranked by CRS score, and IRCC invites the highest-ranking ones until it reaches the number set for that draw. Canada runs these rounds to support French-speaking immigration outside Quebec.

How the other draws compare

Here are the latest Express Entry rounds, so you can see how different the cutoffs are from one category to another.

Draw Date Category Invitations CRS
452 October 27 French-language proficiency 5,000 407
451 October 26 Provincial Nominee Program 792 761
450 October 16 French-language proficiency 5,000 435
449 October 15 Canadian Experience Class 2,500 519
448 October 13 Provincial Nominee Program 752 772
447 October 1 Trades occupations 3,500 476
446 September 29 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 518
445 September 28 Provincial Nominee Program 733 725
444 September 16 Senior managers with Canadian work experience 250 389
443 September 15 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 519
442 September 14 Provincial Nominee Program 576 734
441 September 4 Healthcare and social services occupations 3,500 475
440 September 3 Physicians with Canadian work experience 229 198
439 September 1 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 521
438 August 31 Provincial Nominee Program 562 697
437 August 19 French-language proficiency 5,000 382

The PNP scores look huge because a provincial nomination adds 600 extra CRS points. That is why the October 26 PNP draw needed 761 while the French-language draw needed only 407. The Canadian Experience Class has also been demanding lately, with its last three draws landing at 519, 518 and 519.

Don’t compare these scores directly, though. Each draw looks at a different group of candidates, so a cutoff of 407 in one category is not “easier” than 519 in another for the same person.

What comes next?

IRCC hasn’t confirmed the date, category or size of the next draw. Recent rounds show it keeps rotating between categories, so the next one could target almost anyone. The practical lesson is to get your profile and documents ready now rather than waiting for the draw that suits you.

Ready to Turn Your Express Entry Profile Into an Invitation?

Watching draws from the sidelines is stressful, especially when you don’t know which category fits you best. The October 27 draw showed that French-language skills can open a different door, with a cutoff of 407 against 519 for the latest Canadian Experience Class draw. Whether that door is open to you depends on your language scores, work history and the program you qualify for.

That’s where we come in. Book a consultation at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and we will look at your profile, your CRS score and your best route forward. We help with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications and school admissions. Your next invitation could be closer than you think, so let’s find the right path together.

October 27, 2026
October 27, 2026

Canada issues 792 invitations to Provincial Nominees on October 26, 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Provincial nominees had good news on Monday, October 26, 2026. Canada held a new Express Entry draw and invited 792 candidates with a provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 761. This was draw number 451, and it was the 63rd Express Entry draw of 2026.

See below the key details at a glance.

Draw detail Official result
Draw number 451
Date October 26, 2026
Category Provincial Nominee Program
Invitations issued 792
Minimum CRS score 761
Tie-breaking rule April 3, 2026

Why a score of 761 did not guarantee an invitation

This part confuses a lot of people, so let’s make it simple.

Sometimes several candidates land on the lowest score that gets invited. When that happens, Canada looks at the date and time each person submitted their Express Entry profile. In this draw, only profiles submitted before 6:00:26 p.m. UTC on April 3, 2026 made the cut.

So a candidate with exactly 761 points who created their profile after that time was not invited.

This draw also only considered candidates with a provincial nomination. A high score alone was not enough to be included. Your profile had to be in the right category.

How this draw compares with earlier nominee draws

The closest comparison is the draw held on October 13, which invited 752 candidates at a minimum score of 772. The latest draw invited 40 more people, and the cut-off was 11 points lower. It was also the largest nominee draw since June 22, 2026, when 955 candidates were invited.

Draw Date Invitations Minimum CRS Change from draw 451
451 October 26, 2026 792 761 –
448 October 13, 2026 752 772 40 fewer invitations; 11 points higher
445 September 28, 2026 733 725 59 fewer invitations; 36 points lower
442 September 14, 2026 576 734 216 fewer invitations; 27 points lower
438 August 31, 2026 562 697 230 fewer invitations; 64 points lower

Notice that more invitations do not always mean a lower cut-off, and fewer invitations do not always mean a higher one. Nominee draws have moved up and down this year, so there is no clear pattern to predict.

Where candidates stand in the pool

Here is the latest breakdown of scores in the Express Entry pool.

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 787
501-600 20,535
451-500 71,112
491-500 12,162
481-490 12,342
471-480 16,330
461-470 15,803
451-460 14,475
401-450 63,505
441-450 13,159
431-440 13,155
421-430 12,768
411-420 12,543
401-410 11,880
351-400 47,911
301-350 17,247
0-300 7,627
Total 228,724

A look at the recent draws

Canada keeps switching between different types of draws. Here is the recent sequence.

Draw Date Category Invitations Minimum CRS
451 October 26, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 792 761
450 October 16, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,000 435
449 October 15, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,500 519
448 October 13, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 752 772
447 October 1, 2026 Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3 3,500 476
446 September 29, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 518
445 September 28, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 733 725
444 September 16, 2026 Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 250 389
443 September 15, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 519
442 September 14, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 576 734
441 September 4, 2026 Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026-Version 3 3,500 475
440 September 3, 2026 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 229 198
439 September 1, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 2,000 521
438 August 31, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program 562 697
437 August 19, 2026 French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 5,000 382
436 August 18, 2026 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 523

Please don’t compare draws across categories. A French-language draw of 5,000 and a physicians draw of 229 are aimed at completely different groups of people. Each one has its own score and its own target.

What 2026 has looked like so far

Most invitations this year have gone to people with a connection to Canada, such as provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience. Here is how the 63 draws break down.

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 21
Canadian Experience Class 18
French-Language proficiency 11
Physicians with Canadian work experience 3
Healthcare and social services 3
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 3
Trades 2
Transport 1
Skilled Military Recruits 1

In total, Canada has issued 144,259 invitations this year.

Draw type ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class 57,750
French-Language proficiency 55,500
Provincial Nominee Program 10,814
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Trades 6,500
Transport 300
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 1,000
Skilled Military Recruits 4

And here is every draw held in 2026 so far.

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
October 26 Provincial Nominee Program 761 792
October 16 French-Language proficiency 435 5,000
October 15 Canadian Experience Class 519 2,500
October 13 Provincial Nominee Program 772 752
October 1 Trades 476 3,500
September 29 Canadian Experience Class 518 2,000
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

Big changes arrive on November 3, 2026

This is the part you should not skip. From November 3, 2026, Canada will add extra CRS points for candidates with a job offer or Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation. These are jobs whose national median wage is at least 1.3, 1.5 or 2 times the Canada-wide median.

The extra points sit in a new section of the CRS called the Labour Market Integration Factor. Candidates get whichever of these is higher:

  • Up to 100 points for a qualifying high-wage job offer.
  • Up to 150 points for Canadian work experience, or 140 if the candidate has an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. This combines the existing points for length of experience with up to 70 points for high-wage experience.

A qualifying job offer will also no longer need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA requirement is being removed from the job offer criteria under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program too, although immigration officers must still be satisfied that the offer is genuine.

Canada has published a list of 186 eligible occupations. While it recalculates candidate scores, it will pause Express Entry invitations. The government says this could take up to two weeks.

This is also the first time job offer points are coming back since March 2025, when points for arranged employment were removed. If you have a job offer that might qualify, update your Express Entry profile before November 3 so the new points can count.

Already in Canada with a pending application?

Foreign nationals who have submitted an Express Entry application for permanent residence and live in Canada may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit. If your current work permit expires before a decision is made on your bridging permit application, you may be able to keep working under your previous permit conditions through maintained status, as long as you stay in Canada. Qualifying family members may also be able to get open work permits.

Stop guessing where you stand: Let’s check your Canada PR options together

If you are asking yourself whether your score is strong enough, whether a provincial nomination could change your chances, or whether the new high-wage points could work in your favour, you do not have to figure it out alone. Whether you are looking at provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications or school admissions, our team can walk you through the best route for your situation. Book your consultation here: https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes

Canada
October 16, 2026
October 16, 2026

Canada invites 5,000 French Speakers in the October 16, 2026 Express Entry draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada has just held another Express Entry draw, and this one was for French speakers. Today, October 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,000 candidates with strong French-language skills to apply for permanent residence. It was the 62nd draw of the year.

To get an invitation, a candidate needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 435. Their Express Entry profile also had to be created before October 6, 2026.

That 435 cut-off is the highest of any French-language draw in 2026. The last one was on August 19, and it closed at 382. So the bar went up by 53 points in a little under two months. A few people who had been waiting for another dip may have been caught off guard.

Already in Canada and waiting for your PR result?

Anyone who submits an Express Entry PR application while living in Canada may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). It is meant for people whose current work permit is close to expiring. It gives you maintained status, so you can keep working under the same conditions as your existing permit while the PR application is processed. The one condition is that you stay in Canada.

Every Express Entry draw in 2026 so far

Here is the full list, from the newest draw to the oldest.

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
October 16 French-Language proficiency 435 5,000
October 15 Canadian Experience Class 519 2,500
October 13 Provincial Nominee Program 772 752
October 1 Trades 476 3,500
September 29 Canadian Experience Class 518 2,000
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

Who is Canada picking this year?

Look at the pattern and it is clear. This year’s draws have leaned toward people who already have a connection to Canada, such as provincial nominees and those with Canadian work experience. French speakers have also had a steady stream of invitations. Here is how the 62 draws break down by type.

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 20
Canadian Experience Class 18
French-Language proficiency 11
Physicians with Canadian work experience 3
Healthcare and social services 3
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 3
Trades 2
Transport 1
Skilled Military Recruits 1

In total, IRCC has issued 143,467 invitations to apply this year. Here is where they went.

Draw type ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class 57,750
French-Language proficiency 55,500
Provincial Nominee Program 10,022
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Trades 6,500
Transport 300
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 1,000
Skilled Military Recruits 4

Canadian Experience Class and French-language draws together account for 113,250 of those invitations, which is nearly 79%. So French-language skills and Canadian work experience carry a lot of weight in Express Entry right now. Provincial nominations, on the other hand, produce far fewer invitations but come with very high cut-off scores because a nomination adds 600 CRS points.

Not sure which route fits you? Let’s find out together

Most people don’t need more news about draws. They need to know where they stand. With cut-offs ranging from 169 to 805 depending on the draw type, the right category can make a big difference to your chances.

Maybe French could be your edge. Maybe your Canadian work experience puts you in a stronger position. Maybe a provincial nomination is the smarter move. Or maybe your work permit is running out and you need a plan to stay in Canada while you wait.

Whatever your situation, a one-on-one consultation can help you work out the best route for you. Our team supports clients with provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, school admissions and more.

Ready to stop guessing and start moving? Book your consultation here: https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes

October 16, 2026
October 16, 2026

Express Entry Draw 449 Sends 2,500 PR Invitations to CEC Candidates

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Did you check your Express Entry account on October 15? If you did, and you hold a Canadian Experience Class profile, this draw may have been the one you were waiting for.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,500 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. The lowest score that made the cut was 519 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). It was the 61st Express Entry draw of 2026 and the third one this month, following the Trades draw on October 1 and the Provincial Nominee Program draw on October 13.

See below draw details:

Detail Result
Draw number 449
Date  October 15, 2026
Draw type Canadian Experience Class
Invitations issued 2,500
CRS cut-off score 519
Profile submission cut-off September 21, 2026 

How does this draw compare with earlier CEC draws?

The previous CEC draw was on September 29, and it invited 2,000 candidates at a score of 518. So this round invited 500 more people, which is 25 percent more, and the cut-off went up by just one point. Sixteen days passed between the two draws, and a lot can change in that time. New profiles join the pool, old ones expire, and candidates improve their scores with new language results or more Canadian work experience.

See below the recent CEC rounds side by side:

CEC round Date Invitations CRS cut-off
Round 449 October 15, 2026 2,500 519
Round 446 September 29, 2026 2,000 518
Round 443 September 15, 2026 2,000 519
Round 439 September 1, 2026 2,000 521
Round 436 August 18, 2026 1,000 523
Round 432 August 5, 2026 3,000 516

Notice something? A bigger draw does not always mean a lower score. A 3,000-invitation draw in August had a cut-off of 516, while a smaller 1,000-invitation draw later that month needed 523. The score depends on how many strong candidates are sitting near the top of the pool on the day, not just on how many invitations go out. It also means no one can accurately predict the next cut-off. IRCC does not promise the date, size, type or score of any future draw, so treat this result as a record of what happened and not as a forecast.

Who qualifies for the Canadian Experience Class?

A good score is only half the story. You also have to meet the program rules:

  • You need at least one year, or 1,560 hours, of paid, authorized work in Canada within the last three years. It can come from more than one job.
  • The work must fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, and you must have done the main duties of that occupation.
  • Volunteer work, unpaid internships, work done while studying full-time and most self-employed work do not count.
  • You need CLB 7 in all four language abilities for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
  • You do not need a job offer, and there is no minimum education requirement, although your education can raise your CRS score.
  • Work experience gained in Quebec can count, but you must plan to live outside Quebec.

Meeting these rules makes you eligible, but it does not guarantee an invitation. IRCC ranks eligible profiles by CRS score and invites the highest ones for each round.

You got an invitation. What now?

Congratulations! Take a breath, then act carefully:

  • Open your IRCC account, confirm the program named in the invitation and note the deadline. An invitation is valid for 60 days, and the deadline in your account is the one that counts.
  • Gather proof of your work history, including duties, dates and hours. You may also need valid passports, language test results, police certificates, medical exam information and civil documents.
  • CEC applicants generally do not need to show proof of funds. If the system asks for it anyway, follow IRCC’s instructions.
  • Recalculate your score before you submit. If your situation changed and your score has dropped below 519, you should decline the invitation instead of submitting an application that no longer meets the draw’s requirements. Everything you declare must be accurate and backed by documents, because mistakes can cause serious processing and admissibility problems.

Applicants who live in Canada may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit after submitting their permanent residence application. If your current permit is about to expire while you wait for a decision on the bridging permit, maintained status may let you keep working under your old permit conditions as long as you stay in Canada. Qualifying family members may also be able to get open work permits.

Did not get an invitation? You are still in the game.

Your profile stays in the pool for 12 months, as long as it remains valid and you still qualify. Check the expiry date in your account. In the meantime, you can look at ways to raise your score, like a stronger language result, more eligible Canadian work experience or a new credential. Only update what you can truly prove.

How has 2026 looked so far?

This year IRCC has leaned toward candidates who already have ties to Canada, like provincial nominees and people with Canadian work experience. Across the year, IRCC has held these draws:

Draw type Number of draws
Provincial Nominee Program 20
Canadian Experience Class 18
French-Language proficiency 10
Physicians with Canadian work experience 3
Healthcare and social services 3
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 3
Trades 2
Transport 1
Skilled Military Recruits 1

In total, IRCC has issued 138,467 invitations in 2026:

Draw type ITAs issued
Canadian Experience Class 57,750
French-Language proficiency 50,500
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Provincial Nominee Program 10,022
Trades 6,500
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 1,000
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Transport 300
Skilled Military Recruits 4

And here is every Express Entry draw so far this year:

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
October 15 Canadian Experience Class 519 2,500
October 13 Provincial Nominee Program 772 752
October 1 Trades 476 3,500
September 29 Canadian Experience Class 518 2,000
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

Do not leave your Canadian PR dream to chance

Reading draw results is the easy part. Knowing what your own score means, how to raise it, and whether Express Entry is even your best route is where most people get stuck. A small mistake in your profile, a wrongly claimed job duty or an expired language test can cost you an invitation, or worse, a refusal.

The October 15 draw showed once again that Canadian work experience matters, and that every single CRS point counts. Whether you are chasing a score of 519 or looking for a smarter pathway, such as a provincial nomination, you do not have to figure it out alone. We also help with work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications and school admissions.

Book a consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes, and let’s build a clear plan for your Canadian journey.

October 15, 2026
October 15, 2026

Canada invites 752 Provincial Nominees on October 13, 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Let’s face it, a score of 772 sounds impossible. That was the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score invited in the October 13, 2026 draw, where Canada invited 752 provincial nominees to apply for permanent residence. Before you decide it is out of reach, let’s look at what that number really means for someone hoping to be nominated.

See below details of October 13 Express Entry draw

Draw Detail Information
Draw number 448
Date and time October 13, 2026 at 10:25:58
Round type Provincial Nominee Program
Invitations issued 752
CRS cutoff 772
Tie-breaking rule July 15, 2026

Is 772 too high to aim for?

Not really. An accepted provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Take those away, and the lowest invited score comes to 172 from your age, education, language results and work experience.

The 772 applies only to this nominee round. It is not a general requirement for Express Entry. Other draws, like Canadian Experience Class draws, have much lower cutoffs because they cover different groups.

The tie-breaking timestamp is just an ordering tool. If several people were tied at 772, those who submitted their profiles before July 15, 2026 ranked first. It adds no points and is not an extra requirement.

How does the nomination route work?

You need to qualify for at least one federal Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class). A province or territory then has to select you. Once you accept the nomination in your IRCC account, your score goes up by 600, and you become eligible for nominee-only draws.

Each province sets its own rules and expects you to genuinely plan to live and work there. Even after a nomination, the federal government still checks your documents and admissibility.

What do recent nominee draws look like?

PNP round Date Invitations CRS cutoff
448 October 13, 2026 752 772
445 September 28, 2026 733 725
442 September 14, 2026 576 734
438 August 31, 2026 562 697
435 August 17, 2026 442 760
431 August 4, 2026 507 768

Notice that more invitations does not always mean a lower cutoff. The October 13 round invited 19 more people than September 28, yet the cutoff rose by 47 points. Canada also decides the timing and size of every draw and promises no schedule, so these numbers show a range, not what comes next.

What should you do next?

If you are invited, you generally have 60 calendar days to submit a complete application, and the exact deadline is in your IRCC account. Start gathering your passport, language results, education assessment, work letters, police certificates and medical exam early. Report any change in your situation honestly, and if your recalculated score falls below the round’s cutoff, decline the invitation.

If you have not been invited yet, stay in the pool, keep your profile valid, and work on what you can control, like a stronger language result or more qualifying work experience. Research the province where you truly plan to live and work.

Are You Ready to Turn Your Nomination Goal Into a Real Plan?

The October 13 draw showed how much a provincial nomination can change your chances. The right province, stream and timing make all the difference, and the best route depends on your own profile.

Book a consultation with our team at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let us look at your situation together. Whether you need help with provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications or school admissions, we can help you find your next step.

October 2, 2026
October 2, 2026

Canada invited 3,500 Tradespeople to apply for PR on October 1, 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s first Express Entry draw of October landed on October 1, 2026, and it was great news for skilled tradespeople. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out 3,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence, and the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 476.

If you work in a trade and have been wondering whether your profile stands a real chance, this draw gives you a clear picture. It was draw number 447, and it was only the second Trades-focused draw of 2026.

See below details of October 1 draw:

Draw detail October 1 result
Express Entry draw number 447
Category Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3
Invitations issued 3,500
Minimum CRS score 476
Rank required 3,500 or above
Draw date October 1, 2026 
Tie-breaking rule May 28, 2026 at 16:55:23 UTC

Who can be invited in a Trades draw?

Having a high score alone was not enough. To be invited, a candidate had to qualify for the Trades category and also be eligible for at least one of the programs managed through Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program or the Canadian Experience Class.

For the Trades category itself, IRCC asks for the following:

  • At least 12 months of full-time work experience in the last three years, or the same amount in part-time hours.
  • The experience must be in a single eligible trade occupation.
  • It does not have to be continuous.
  • It can be from Canada or from outside Canada.
  • The trade does not have to be your main occupation. What matters is that you did the work.

This is the list of eligible occupations:

Eligible occupation NOC 2021
Construction estimators 22303
Construction managers 70010
Home building and renovation managers 70011
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors 72100
Sheet metal workers 72102
Welders and related machine operators 72106
Electricians, except industrial and power system 72200
Industrial electricians 72201
Plumbers 72300
Gas fitters 72302
Carpenters 72310
Cabinetmakers 72311
Bricklayers 72320
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 72400
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 72401
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 72402
Electrical mechanics 72422
Water well drillers 72501
Other technical trades and related occupations 72999
Concrete finishers 73100
Roofers and shinglers 73110
Painters and decorators, except interior decorators 73112
Floor covering installers 73113
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services 82021
Butchers, retail and wholesale 63201

One more thing worth knowing: category-based draws are not a separate immigration program. You still have to qualify through the regular Express Entry system first, then meet the extra category requirements on top.

How this draw compares with the last Trades draw

The previous Trades draw took place on April 2, 2026. It invited 3,000 candidates at a CRS score of 477. This time, IRCC invited 500 more people (3,500) and the cut-off score dipped by just one point to 476. That is a handy reference point if your score is close to that range, although one draw’s cut-off is never a promise for the next one.

Where this draw fits into 2026

With this round, Canada has held 59 Express Entry draws so far this year. Here is the full list of draws:

Date Draw Type CRS cut-off score ITAs issued
October 1 Trades 476 3,500
September 29 Canadian Experience Class 518 2,000
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

Here is how those draws break down by type:

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 19
Canadian Experience Class 17
French-Language proficiency 10
Physicians with Canadian work experience 3
Healthcare and social services 3
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 3
Trades 2
Transport 1
Skilled Military Recruits 1

And here are the invitations issued so far, 135,215 in total:

Draw type ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class 55,250
French-Language proficiency 50,500
Provincial Nominee Program 9,270
Healthcare and social services 11,500
Trades 6,500
Transport 300
Physicians with Canadian work experience 891
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 1,000
Skilled Military Recruits 4

The pattern is easy to spot. Most invitations this year have gone to people with a connection to Canada, mainly provincial nominees and those with Canadian work experience. Trades is one of the smaller streams, but it clearly has real weight behind it, with 6,500 invitations across its two draws.

Didn’t get an invitation this time?

Don’t let it discourage you. Keep your profile accurate, and keep an eye out for honest ways to improve your CRS score. Also remember that you can qualify under more than one category, so being eligible for Trades does not stop you from being picked in a different type of draw later.

Ready to turn your trade experience into a Canadian PR? Let’s talk

Here is the short version: Canada invited 3,500 tradespeople to apply for permanent residence on October 1, 2026, with a minimum score of 476. Whether you are invited depends on far more than your score. It depends on your trade experience, your documents, your NOC match and how well your whole profile is put together. One small mistake can cost you time, money or even your application.

That is where we come in. Our team can review your situation and guide you toward the right pathway, whether that is Express Entry, provincial nomination, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications or school admissions. Don’t leave your Canadian dream to guesswork. Book your consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s take the next step together.

Canada latest Express Entry
September 30, 2026
September 30, 2026

Canada sends 2,000 PR invitations to CEC candidates on September 29, 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Waiting in the Express Entry pool with a CRS score in the 500s can feel endless. On September 29, 2026, Canada gave 2,000 candidates the news they were waiting for.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw and sent out 2,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence. The lowest score that made the cut was 518.

Who got picked?

Anyone with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score above 518 was invited. Candidates at exactly 518 also needed to have created their profile before 8:48 p.m. UTC on February 13, 2026. When people tie on the lowest score, IRCC picks whoever has waited longest. A date that far back shows a lot of candidates were bunched up around 518.

Detail Value
Draw Number 446
Program Canadian Experience Class
Date September 29, 2026
Invitations Issued 2,000
CRS of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 518
Tie-Breaking Rule February 13, 2026, at 20:48:08 UTC

The cutoff keeps inching down

The CEC cutoff has dropped in each of its last three draws:

Draw Date CRS Cutoff Change from Previous
August 18 523 +7
September 1 521 -2
September 15 519 -2
September 29 518 -1

The August 18 draw invited only 1,000 candidates, and the cutoff jumped seven points. Since then, IRCC has gone back to 2,000 invitations per round, and the cutoff has eased each time.

The year so far

Canada has now held 58 Express Entry draws in 2026 and issued 131,715 invitations.

Draw Type Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program 19
Canadian Experience Class 17
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
Draw type ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class 55,250
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

Got an invitation? Move fast

You have 60 days to submit your permanent residence application, and an expired invitation can’t be brought back. Start gathering your documents right away.

If you’re already working in Canada, you may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit once your application is submitted. If your current permit expires before the bridging permit is finalized, you can keep working under maintained status while you stay in Canada. Eligible family members may qualify for an open work permit too.

Didn’t make the cut? Try:

  • Boosting your language scores. Stronger English or French results are a common way to raise your CRS.
  • Adding French. Reaching NCLC 7 or higher can open the door to French-language draws, where cutoffs ranged from 382 to 420 this year.
  • Watching category draws. Healthcare (467 to 475), trades (477), and transport (470) all came in below the CEC cutoffs.
  • Aiming for a provincial nomination. It adds 600 CRS points, more than enough to clear every cutoff seen this year.

Turn Your CRS Score Into an Invitation to Apply

To sum up, Canada invited 2,000 CEC candidates on September 29, 2026, with a cutoff of 518, the third drop in a row. Whether you were invited and need a strong application, or you’re a few points short and need a smarter plan, the right guidance can save you months.

Our team supports provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visiting visas, super visas, citizenship applications, school admissions, and more. Book a consultation here and let’s find your best route to Canada: https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes

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 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

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