Canada has continued its permanent residence selection process with a new Express Entry draw specifically targeting candidates nominated by provincial and territorial governments. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 792 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on October 26, 2026, giving eligible provincial nominees another opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 761 to receive an invitation. IRCC also applied a tie-breaking rule based on when candidates submitted their Express Entry profiles.
Also Read 792 Provincial Nominees Selected in Latest Canada PNP Draw
October 26 Express Entry Draw: Key Details
The latest selection round reinforces the importance of provincial nominations for candidates seeking permanent residence through Express Entry. Applicants who meet a province’s labour market needs may receive a nomination that significantly improves their chances of receiving an invitation.
| Draw Detail | Information |
| Draw Date | October 26, 2026 |
| Draw Category | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Invitations Issued | 792 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 761 |
| Tie-Breaking Date | April 3, 2026, at 6:00:26 p.m. UTC |
| Total Express Entry Draws in 2026 | 63 |
The October 26 round issued the largest number of invitations to provincial nominees since June 22, when IRCC invited 955 candidates under the same category. However, the CRS threshold remains high, highlighting the competitive nature of PNP-specific Express Entry selections.
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Express Entry Draw Results: October 2026 and Earlier Rounds
The following table outlines the recent selection rounds and earlier draws conducted throughout 2026, including their CRS cut-offs and invitation totals.
| 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 |
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Express Entry in 2026: Which Categories Have Received the Most Draws?
IRCC has conducted 63 Express Entry selection rounds so far in 2026, with invitations distributed across provincial nominations, Canadian work experience, language proficiency and targeted occupational categories.
The distribution of draws indicates that IRCC continues to use category-based selection alongside established immigration pathways.
| 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 |
The Provincial Nominee Program has recorded the highest number of selection rounds, followed by the Canadian Experience Class. French-language proficiency draws have also accounted for a substantial share of invitations, reflecting the continued use of targeted selection to meet Canada’s immigration objectives.
More Than 144,000 Invitations Issued Through Express Entry
According to the supplied 2026 draw figures, IRCC has issued 143,759 ITAs across the various Express Entry categories. Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency selections account for the largest invitation totals.
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 57,250 |
| 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 |
These figures show that IRCC has continued to issue invitations through multiple pathways rather than relying on a single category. Candidates’ prospects will depend on their CRS scores, eligibility for targeted rounds and whether they qualify for provincial nomination.
Upcoming CRS Changes Could Benefit High-Wage Workers
Another major development for Express Entry candidates is the planned introduction of the Labour Market Integration Factor (LMIF), effective November 3, 2026.
Under the announced changes, eligible candidates with high-wage job offers or qualifying Canadian work experience in selected occupations may receive additional CRS points. The relevant national median wage thresholds are set at 1.3, 1.5 or 2 times the Canada-wide median wage.
The new factor is designed to recognise applicants whose employment and earnings indicate stronger integration into Canada’s labour market.
Why Provincial Nominees Remain Important for Canadian PR
Provincial nominations continue to provide a significant advantage to eligible Express Entry candidates. A nomination through an aligned Provincial Nominee Program stream can add 600 CRS points to a candidate’s ranking score, substantially increasing the likelihood of receiving an ITA in a PNP draw.
These selections allow provinces and territories to nominate applicants whose skills, qualifications and professional backgrounds align with local economic priorities. For candidates who struggle to secure an invitation through Canadian Experience Class or other selection categories, exploring suitable provincial pathways may offer an alternative route to permanent residence.
IRCC’s 2026 selection pattern has largely focused on candidates with Canadian work experience, provincial nominations and qualifications matching specific occupational or language-based categories.
Conclusion
With provincial nominations, Canadian work experience and targeted category-based selection continuing to shape the 2026 draw schedule, candidates should prepare for a system that considers both overall CRS rankings and specific eligibility criteria.
The latest PNP round delivered 792 invitations, but its 761-point cut-off demonstrates the importance of the additional CRS points available through a provincial nomination. Meanwhile, the forthcoming LMIF changes could alter the ranking of some candidates with qualifying high-wage employment or Canadian work experience.
For prospective applicants, monitoring official IRCC announcements, assessing eligibility, and choosing an appropriate immigration pathway remain essential steps towards Canadian permanent residence.
