Canada has started May 2026 with another targeted Express Entry invitation round focused on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, continuing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) strong emphasis on selecting applicants already connected to Canadian provinces and territories.
In the latest selection round, IRCC issued 380 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had received provincial nominations through Express Entry-linked PNP streams. The draw reflects the federal government’s continued strategy of prioritising candidates who are expected to integrate quickly into local labour markets and support regional economic needs.
The latest invitation round also reinforces how provincial nominations remain one of the most powerful pathways to Canadian permanent residence under the Express Entry system.
Also Read Canada Issues 380 ITAs in First Provincial Nominee Express Entry Draw of May 2026
Latest Express Entry Draw: Key Details
The May 11, 2026 Express Entry draw targeted only Provincial Nominee Program candidates.
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to meet the following conditions:
- Minimum CRS score of 798
- Express Entry profile created before January 7, 2026 at 5:23 a.m. UTC
Because provincial nominees automatically receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points after obtaining a nomination certificate, PNP draws typically record much higher CRS cut-offs compared to other Express Entry categories.
Check out the Express Entry Next Draw Prediction May 11, 2026
Latest Express Entry Draw Results
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off | ITAs Issued |
| May 11, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
Provincial Nomination Continues to Strengthen Express Entry Profiles
Candidates who secure a provincial nomination through an enhanced PNP stream linked to Express Entry receive a major advantage in the selection process.
A provincial nomination adds:
CRS Score + 600 Points
This additional score boost significantly improves a candidate’s ranking and almost guarantees an invitation in future Express Entry draws.
Many provinces continue to use their nomination programs to attract workers in sectors facing labour shortages, including healthcare, skilled trades, technology, transportation, agriculture, education, and construction.
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IRCC Continues Preference for In-Canada Candidates
The pattern of Express Entry draws throughout 2026 indicates that IRCC is continuing to prioritise candidates already contributing to the Canadian economy.
Most invitations this year have gone to:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates
- Provincial Nominee Program candidates
- French-speaking applicants
- Occupation-specific categories facing labour shortages
This approach aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy to retain temporary workers and international graduates already living and working in the country.
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Complete List of Express Entry Draws Conducted in 2026
The latest draw marks the 27th Express Entry selection round held in 2026.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score | ITAs Issued |
| 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 |
Provincial Nominee Program Draws Lead Category-Based Selections
PNP-specific invitation rounds have now become one of the most frequent draw types in 2026.
The latest selection was the tenth Provincial Nominee Program draw conducted this year, highlighting the growing importance of provinces in shaping Canada’s immigration intake.
Number of Draws by Category in 2026
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 10 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 8 |
| French-Language proficiency | 5 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Trades | 1 |
More Than 72,000 Invitations Issued So Far in 2026
Canada has already invited 72,007 immigration candidates through Express Entry during the first months of 2026.
The majority of invitations have been issued to Canadian Experience Class and French-language candidates, while occupation-specific and provincial draws continue to support targeted labour market needs.
Total ITAs Issued in 2026 by Draw Category
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 26,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4,116 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The latest draw confirms that candidates with provincial nominations continue to receive strong priority under Canada’s immigration system.
Applicants with lower CRS scores may still improve their chances significantly by pursuing provincial nomination opportunities through Express Entry-aligned streams. Provinces regularly select candidates based on work experience, education, occupation, language ability, and regional labour shortages.
Meanwhile, candidates already working in Canada or possessing French-language proficiency also remain in a strong position as IRCC continues conducting targeted invitation rounds throughout 2026.
With immigration targets remaining high and labour shortages continuing across multiple industries, additional Express Entry draws are expected in the coming weeks.
