Canada’s immigration system continues to prioritize skilled candidates already aligned with provincial needs. In the most recent round of invitations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another Express Entry draw, targeting candidates nominated by provinces.
Also Read Canada Invites 324 PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
Key Highlights of the April 13, 2026 Draw
On April 13, 2026, IRCC issued 324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream.
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to meet the following criteria:
- Minimum CRS score: 786
- Profile submission deadline: Before November 19, 2025, at 6:53 PM (UTC)
The relatively high CRS cut-off reflects the additional 600 points awarded to candidates who hold a provincial nomination, making PNP-specific draws highly competitive yet targeted.
Complete Express Entry Draws in 2026
Below is a comprehensive overview of all Express Entry draws conducted so far this year:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off | ITAs Issued |
| 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 (Canadian 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 & social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians (Canadian 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 |
Express Entry Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, Express Entry draws have shown a clear pattern: Canada is focusing on candidates who are already contributing to the domestic workforce or have strong ties to specific provinces.
Top Stories
- Canada Express Entry Update: IRCC Invites 324 PNP Candidates in Latest Draw
- Manitoba Issues ITAs in April 2026 PNP Draw Focused on Targeted Skilled Workers
- Canada Signals Major Reset of Express Entry: New Rules May Priorities High-Income Roles
- Ontario Invites 1,828 Candidates in Latest Immigration Draws
- Canada Plans Major Express Entry Program Changes
Most Frequent Draw Categories This Year
The breakdown of draw types reveals a strong preference for certain categories:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 8 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 6 draws
- French-language proficiency: 3 draws
- Other targeted categories (healthcare, trades, senior managers, physicians): Limited but strategic draws
PNP draws have emerged as the most consistently conducted rounds in 2026, highlighting the growing role of provinces in selecting immigrants based on regional labor market demands.
Total Invitations Issued in 2026 So Far
Canada has already invited a significant number of candidates through Express Entry this year. As of mid-April 2026, a total of 59,154 ITAs have been issued across multiple categories.
ITAs by Category
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 30,250
- French-language proficiency: 18,000
- Healthcare and social services: 4,000
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 3,263
- Trades occupations: 3,000
- Physicians with Canadian experience: 391
- Senior managers: 250
This distribution highlights Canada’s emphasis on inland applicants, especially those with Canadian work experience or language advantages.
Recent Express Entry Draw Snapshot
Here’s a quick look at some of the latest draws leading up to April:
- April 13: PNP – 324 ITAs (CRS 786)
- April 2: Trades – 3,000 ITAs (CRS 477)
- March 31: CEC – 2,250 ITAs (CRS 509)
- March 18: French-language – 4,000 ITAs (CRS 393)
The mix of general and category-based draws indicates a balanced yet strategic approach to immigration selection.
Related Stories
- Canada Express Entry Update: IRCC Invites 324 PNP Candidates in Latest Draw
- Canada Signals Major Reset of Express Entry: New Rules May Priorities High-Income Roles
- Canada Plans Major Express Entry Program Changes
- Canada Launches First 2026 Express Entry Draw for Skilled Trades Workers
- Canada Ends March with Major Express Entry Draw Targeting CEC Candidates
What This Means for Express Entry Applicants
The latest draw reinforces several important trends for candidates:
1. Provincial Nomination Is Key
A PNP nomination continues to be one of the fastest ways to secure an ITA due to the significant CRS boost.
2. Inland Candidates Have an Edge
Applicants with Canadian work experience, particularly under the CEC category, are receiving a large share of invitations.
3. Category-Based Draws Are Here to Stay
Targeted draws for sectors like healthcare, trades, and French-speaking candidates show that Canada is addressing specific labor shortages.
Final Thoughts
The April 13 Express Entry draw is another clear signal that Canada is refining its immigration strategy to meet economic and regional workforce needs. With frequent PNP draws and strong emphasis on in-demand skills, candidates must adopt a more targeted and strategic approach to improve their chances.
For aspiring immigrants, aligning your profile with provincial requirements, Canadian work experience, or priority occupations could significantly boost your chances of receiving an invitation in upcoming rounds.
