Canada Invites 574 PNP Candidates in 1st Express Entry Draw of 2026
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Canada has officially kick-started its Express Entry draws for 2026, issuing 574 invitations to apply under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The CRS cutoff stood at 711, signaling continued PNP focus selection under the new immigration levels plan.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued Invitations to Apply (ITA) in the first Express Entry draw of 2026, on January 5 (yesterday). A total of 574 invites were shared with candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) only category.
To qualify for this Express Entry draw for the PNP only, candidates needed to have
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711
- Their Express Entry profile must have been created before 1:54 am (UTC) on October 6, 2025
Also Read: Canada’s 2026-28 Immigration Levels Plan Raises PNP Targets by Over 66%
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
Here is a complete list of all the Express Entry Canada draws conducted by IRCC in 2026.
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 574 | 711 |
The January 5, 2026, draw is the first Express Entry Selection of the year.
IRCC, through its new Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028, made an announcement that the department will continue to prioritize in-Canada applicants for permanent residence and that the Express Entry category-based draws would continue. Much anticipation is around how Express Entry draws will be shaped throughout the year ahead.
Also Read:
- IRCC Prioritizes In-Canada Candidates for PR Under New Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028
- Canada’s New Immigration Plan Confirms 3,80,000 Annual PR Intake Till 2028
Summary of Express Entry Draw Types in 2026
So far, IRCC has issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in 2026. The breakdown of the number of draws held based on draw type is as follows:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws in 2026 | ITA Shared |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 1 | 574 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 0 | 0 |
| French Language Proficiency | 0 | 0 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 0 | 0 |
| Education | 0 | 0 |
| Trade | 0 | 0 |
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