Canada has officially kicked off its immigration activity for the new year. In a major update for skilled workers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted the first Express Entry draw of 2026, issuing 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category.

This Canada Express Entry draw 2026 sets the tone for how permanent residence selections may unfold in the months ahead and confirms IRCC’s continued focus on provincially nominated candidates.

Canada Express Entry Draw 2026: Key Details at a Glance

The Express Entry draw held in early 2026 targeted candidates who already had a provincial nomination, making this a highly competitive and points-heavy round.

Highlights of the First Express Entry Draw of 2026

  1. Total ITAs issued: 574
  2. Draw type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  3. Minimum CRS score required: 711
  4. Express Entry profile deadline: Before 1:54 a.m. UTC, October 6, 2025
  5. Draw significance: First Express Entry draw of 2026

This Express Entry PNP draw confirms that candidates with provincial nominations continue to enjoy a strong advantage in the Canada Express Entry system.

Express Entry Draw 2026: Why the CRS Cut-Off Was So High

Many candidates were surprised by the CRS score of 711, but immigration experts say this was expected.

Here’s why:

  1. Provincial nominees receive 600 additional CRS points
  2. The base CRS score for most invited candidates was much lower
  3. PNP-focused Express Entry draws usually result in high cut-offs

This makes it clear that Canada Express Entry draws for PNP candidates operate very differently from general or category-based draws.

Breakdown of the First Express Entry Draw of 2026

Category Details
Immigration system Express Entry
Draw type Provincial Nominee Program
ITAs issued 574
CRS cut-off 711
Profile submission deadline October 6, 2025
Year’s first draw Yes

This table highlights how selective the first Express Entry draw of 2026 was and why provincial nomination remains one of the strongest PR pathways.

What This Express Entry Draw Means for 2026 Immigration Trends

According to IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to continue prioritising:

  1. In-Canada applicants
  2. Provincial nominees
  3. Category-based Express Entry draws

This Canada Express Entry draw 2026 aligns with those priorities and suggests that PNP-linked candidates will continue to see regular invitations.

What We Can Expect Next in Express Entry 2026

Based on past IRCC announcements and trends, experts expect:

  1. More French-language category-based Express Entry draws
  2. Increased focus on Francophone immigration outside Quebec
  3. Launch of new category-based draws, including physicians with Canadian work experience
  4. Continued role of Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draws

Although IRCC has not released a fixed draw schedule, this first draw provides early signals for the year ahead.

Express Entry in 2026: What Candidates Should Know

So far in 2026:

  1. 574 ITAs have been issued through Express Entry
  2. All invitations have gone to PNP candidates
  3. No general or category-based draws yet

Important reminders for Express Entry candidates:

  1. Meeting eligibility does not guarantee an ITA
  2. CRS score competitiveness remains crucial
  3. Profile accuracy and timelines matter

Candidates without a provincial nomination may need to focus on CRS improvement strategies or explore PNP options.

Who Benefited the Most From This Express Entry Draw?

The biggest winners of this Canada Express Entry draw include:

  1. Candidates already nominated by a province
  2. Applicants with strong ties to a specific province
  3. Skilled workers aligned with provincial labour needs

For candidates outside Canada or without nominations, this draw reinforces the importance of building a multi-pathway immigration strategy.

What Should Express Entry Candidates Do Now?

If you are in the Express Entry pool, experts recommend:

  1. Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs
  2. Improving language scores (English or French)
  3. Gaining Canadian work experience, if possible
  4. Keeping your Express Entry profile updated
  5. Tracking CRS score trends closely

With Express Entry draws expected to evolve through 2026, preparation remains the key.

Conclusion: Canada Starts 2026 Express Entry With a Strong PNP Focus

The initial Express Entry lottery of 2026 has validated the fact that Canada’s immigration system is still biased towards the nominees of provinces. The issuance of 574 ITAs and the setting of CRS at 711 indicate that provincial nominations are among the best and safest pathways to permanent residence in Canada.

More government discussions are anticipated to occur throughout the year, including category-based rounds and targeted selections that match Canada’s labour and language priorities with those of the candidates.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help You

The Canada Express Entry system can be hard to navigate, particularly with evolving draw patterns and high CRS cut-offs. Visa Solutions 4u supports applicants by: 

  1. Evaluating eligibility for Express Entry and PNP
  2. Pointing out the most applicable Provincial Nominee Programs
  3. Increasing CRS scores through clever measures
  4. Handling Express Entry profiles that are both precise and timely 

Your path through Express Entry 2026 is getting clearer, more tactical, and more victorious with the expert assistance of Visa Solutions 4u.