Canada has continued its 2026 Express Entry activity with another round of invitations aimed at Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The latest selection round reflects the federal government’s ongoing preference for applicants who already have strong connections to Canada through provincial nominations or Canadian work experience.
In the newest Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 334 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program stream.
Applicants selected in this round were required to meet specific eligibility conditions, including a high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and an earlier Express Entry profile submission date.
Also Read Canada Conducts New PNP Express Entry Draw, Invites 334 Candidates in May 2026
Key Highlights of the Latest Express Entry Draw
The latest Express Entry selection round on May 25th targeted candidates who had received a provincial nomination from a Canadian province or territory. Because provincial nominations add 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile, PNP-specific draws generally feature much higher CRS cut-off scores than other Express Entry categories.
To qualify for this draw, candidates needed:
- A minimum CRS score of 805; and
- An Express Entry profile submitted before 6:16 p.m. UTC on October 16, 2025.
This marks the second Express Entry draw conducted in May 2026 and the twenty-eighth draw held so far this year.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, IRCC has largely prioritised candidates already established in Canada or those supported by provincial governments. Provincial Nominee Program draws and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) invitations have remained dominant throughout the year.
French-speaking candidates have also received significant attention through multiple French-language proficiency draws, which continue to support Canada’s Francophone immigration targets outside Quebec.
The immigration department has additionally conducted category-based draws for healthcare professionals, trades workers, physicians, and senior managers with Canadian work experience.
Check out the Express Entry Next Draw Prediction May 11, 2026
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| 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 |
Breakdown of Draw Types Conducted in 2026
The following table shows how frequently each Express Entry category has been used this year:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 11 |
| 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 |
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Total ITAs Issued by IRCC in 2026
Canada has issued 72,341 invitations through Express Entry in 2026 so far. Most invitations have gone to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class and French-language categories.
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 26,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4,450 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
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- Canada Conducts Another Express Entry PNP Draw, Invites 334 Candidates
- Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw of May 2026 for Provincial Nominees
- Canada Issues 4,000 ITAs in Latest French-Focused Express Entry Draw
Why PNP Draws Continue to Matter
Provincial Nominee Program draws remain an important pathway for skilled workers hoping to secure Canadian permanent residence. Provinces select candidates based on local labour shortages and economic needs, helping regional governments attract talent in key industries.
Receiving a provincial nomination significantly boosts a candidate’s CRS score, often guaranteeing an invitation in future Express Entry draws.
With IRCC continuing to focus on targeted immigration selection rounds, candidates with provincial nominations, Canadian work experience, or French-language skills are expected to remain highly competitive throughout 2026.
What Candidates Should Expect Next
Immigration experts expect Canada to continue alternating between PNP, Canadian Experience Class, and category-based Express Entry draws in the coming months. Candidates already in the Express Entry pool may benefit from improving their CRS score through:
- Provincial nominations;
- Stronger language test results;
- Additional Canadian work experience;
- Higher educational credentials; or
- French-language proficiency.
As Canada maintains its long-term immigration targets, Express Entry is expected to remain one of the country’s primary pathways for skilled workers seeking permanent residence.
