On April 13, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the second Express Entry draw of the month, specifically targeting candidates with provincial nominations. This draw resulted in the issuance of 324 invitations to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 786 points.
This round marked the sixth Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of the year, following the March 30, 2026 draw, which invited 356 candidates with a CRS cutoff of 802. The 16-point drop in the CRS cutoff from 802 to 786 is a positive development for provincial nominees awaiting invitations in the Express Entry pool.
Express Entry Draw Details For April 13, 2026
Below are the specifics of the latest Express Entry draw focusing on provincial nominees:
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- Date and Time: April 13, 2026
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- Draw Category: Provincial Nominee Program
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- Number of Invitations Issued: 324
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- CRS score of Lowest Ranked Candidate: 786
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- Rank Required to Be Invited: 324 or above
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- Tie-Breaking Rule: November 19, 2025, at 18:53:59 UTC
The tie-breaking rule is crucial in determining which candidates are invited when multiple individuals have the same lowest CRS score. For this draw, only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before the tie-breaking date and time were considered for invitations.
CRS Cutoff Compared To Previous PNP Draws In 2026
The table below illustrates the CRS cutoffs from previous PNP draws conducted in 2026:
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- April 13, 2026: 324 invitations, CRS cutoff of 786
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- March 30, 2026: 356 invitations, CRS cutoff of 802
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- March 16, 2026: 362 invitations, CRS cutoff of 742
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- March 2, 2026: 264 invitations, CRS cutoff of 710
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- January 21, 2026: 681 invitations, CRS cutoff of 746
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- January 5, 2026: 574 invitations, CRS cutoff of 711
The range of CRS cutoffs has varied from 710 to 802 throughout the six PNP draws this year. The decreasing trend in the number of invitations, from 681 in January to 324 in the latest draw, indicates a shrinking pool of provincial nominees in the Express Entry system.
Types Of Express Entry Draws Active In 2026
IRCC operates various types of Express Entry draws to manage the selection of permanent residence candidates across different programs. Understanding these draw types is essential for candidates to identify their eligibility and plan their immigration strategy effectively. The current draw types include:
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- Canadian Experience Class: Targets candidates with skilled Canadian work experience (CRS range: 507 to 511)
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- Provincial Nominee Program: Targets candidates with a provincial nomination (CRS range: 710 to 802)
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- French Language Proficiency: Targets candidates with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher in French (CRS range: 393 to 400)
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- Trade Occupations: Targets candidates with 12 months in an eligible trade (CRS range: 477)
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- Healthcare and Social Services: Targets candidates in healthcare occupations (CRS range: 462 to 467)
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- Physicians: Targets doctors with Canadian work experience (CRS range: 169)
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- Senior Managers: Targets senior managers with Canadian experience (CRS range: 429)
The CRS cutoff varies significantly based on the size of the eligible candidate pool and the number of invitations issued in each round. Category-based draws typically have lower cutoffs compared to program-specific draws, as they focus on smaller subsets of the overall pool.
Steps For Candidates Who Received An Invitation
Candidates who received an invitation to apply must submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence within 60 calendar days. This strict deadline does not allow for extensions. The application must include all necessary supporting documents, such as:
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- Language test results
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- Educational credential assessments
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- Police certificates
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- Medical examinations
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- Proof of provincial nomination
Provincial nominations typically have validity periods ranging from six to 12 months. Candidates must ensure their nomination remains valid at the time of application submission. Failing to meet the 60-day deadline results in losing the invitation and necessitates re-entering the Express Entry pool.
Predictions For Upcoming PNP Draws In 2026
Based on the established draw patterns in 2026, IRCC is expected to continue conducting PNP-specific Express Entry draws on a biweekly basis. The next PNP draw is anticipated to occur in late April or early May 2026. If the pool of provincial nominees continues to decrease, it is possible that the CRS cutoff may drop below 786 in future rounds. However, fluctuations in the CRS cutoff can occur depending on the number of new nominations issued by provinces between draws.
Candidates awaiting a provincial nomination should closely monitor their province’s draw schedules and processing timelines. Those already in the Express Entry pool should ensure their profiles are complete and accurately reflect the correct NOC codes to enhance their chances of receiving Notifications of Interest from provinces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is the CRS cutoff for PNP draws so much higher than for other Express Entry draws?
The CRS cutoff appears higher because every provincial nominee automatically receives 600 additional points added to their base CRS score. For example, a candidate with a base score of 186 would achieve 786 after receiving a provincial nomination. The true competitiveness of PNP candidates is determined by their base score, not the inflated figure shown in the draw results.
Can a province withdraw my nomination after I receive an Express Entry invitation?
Yes, nominations can be withdrawn under certain conditions, such as misrepresentation or failure to demonstrate genuine intent to reside in the nominating province. If a nomination is withdrawn after an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued, the permanent residence application will be denied.
Am I legally required to live in the province that nominated me after I become a permanent resident?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms grants mobility rights, allowing permanent residents to live and work anywhere in Canada. However, a provincial nomination reflects the intent to settle in that province, and provinces may monitor settlement patterns for future nomination decisions.
Reality Check
While the current PNP draw results may seem encouraging for candidates, several factors should be considered. The CRS cutoff can fluctuate based on the number of new nominations, and candidates should remain aware that changes in provincial policies may impact their nominations. It is crucial to verify all details with official sources such as the official IRCC website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Additionally, candidates should be cautious about relying solely on this pathway without understanding the full implications of their provincial nomination and the requirements for permanent residence applications. It is advisable to review all steps carefully to avoid setbacks in the immigration process.
