Canada has continued its steady pace of immigration selections in 2026, with the latest Express Entry round once again prioritizing candidates who have secured a provincial nomination. The recent draw highlights the government’s continued focus on applicants who are already aligned with regional labour market needs and economic priorities across provinces.
Also Read Canada Invites 473 Provincial Nominees in Latest Express Entry Draw
473 ITAs Issued in Latest PNP-Focused Draw
In the most recent Express Entry draw conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a total of 473 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To qualify for this round of invitations, candidates were required to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 795
- An Express Entry profile created before 11:11 p.m. (UTC) on April 13, 2026
The high CRS cut-off reflects the additional 600 points awarded to candidates who receive a provincial nomination, making PNP draws among the most competitive in the Express Entry system.
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Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, Canada’s immigration system has demonstrated a clear preference for candidates who are either already working in Canada or who have strong ties to specific provinces. Provincial Nominee Program draws and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rounds have dominated the selection landscape.
The latest draw marks the 23rd Express Entry round of invitations this year, indicating a consistent and structured approach to immigration intake.
Complete Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
| 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
Canada has conducted a variety of targeted draws this year, with a strong emphasis on economic immigration streams.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 7 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 4 |
| 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 Draw Category in 2026
A total of 65,627 invitations have already been issued this year, reflecting Canada’s ambitious immigration targets and its focus on skilled workers.
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 32,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 22,000 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 3,736 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
The latest draw reinforces a growing trend in Canada’s immigration strategy: prioritizing candidates who can integrate quickly into the labour market and contribute to regional economic development. Provincial nominations remain one of the strongest pathways to receiving an ITA due to the significant CRS boost they provide.
At the same time, candidates with Canadian work experience and those with French-language proficiency continue to benefit from frequent and large-scale invitation rounds, making these profiles highly competitive in 2026.
As Express Entry draws continue throughout the year, candidates are encouraged to strengthen their profiles by improving language scores, gaining relevant work experience, or exploring provincial nomination opportunities to increase their chances of selection.
