Updated July 2026. On January 20, 2026, IRCC held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw, issuing 681 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a minimum CRS score of 746.
Draw Context
This was the second PNP-specific draw and the third Express Entry selection round overall in 2026, following a PNP draw on January 5 and a Canadian Experience Class draw on January 7. To be considered, candidates needed a CRS score of at least 746 and an Express Entry profile created before 4:09 a.m. UTC on November 19, 2025.
Why the Cutoff Was So High
PNP-specific draws consistently show much higher CRS cutoffs than general or CEC draws, because a provincial nomination alone is worth 600 CRS points. Anyone invited in a PNP round has effectively already secured a nomination — the 746 cutoff reflects the combined score of their nomination plus their core human capital factors, not a sign that PNP candidates need unusually strong profiles on their own.
What This Means If You Have a Provincial Nomination
If you already hold a provincial nomination, your CRS score is almost certainly well above any general Express Entry cutoff, and a PNP-specific round like this one exists specifically to invite you. If you don’t yet have a nomination but are close to qualifying for one, this draw is a reminder of just how much a nomination can accelerate your path to an ITA compared to competing purely on core human capital factors.
You can find the current official information on IRCC.
Related Reading
- New CEC Express Entry Draw On November 26 Sent 1,000 ITAs
- New Express Entry Draw Predictions And CRS Score Trends For December 2025
- Canada’s Latest Express Entry Draw For PNP Sends 399 PR Invitations
If you'd rather have this mapped out for your exact situation instead of piecing it together yourself, our personalized report covers eligibility, CRS score, and next steps.
