Latest Express Entry draw targets provincial candidates

author avatar
Asheesh Moosapeta
Published: January 20, 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system.

The immigration department issued 681 ITAs in a draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.

To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have

  • A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 746; and
  • Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 4:09 a.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on November 19, 2025.

See how competitive your Express Entry profile is

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026

Draw dateDraw TypeCRS cut-off scoreITAs issued
March 5Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience429250
March 4French-Language proficiency3975,500
March 3Canadian Experience Class5084,000
March 2Provincial Nominee Program710264
February 20Healthcare and social services4674,000
February 19Physicians with Canadian work experience169391
February 17Canadian Experience Class5086,000
February 16Provincial Nominee Program789279
February 6French-Language proficiency4008,500
February 3Provincial Nominee Program749423
January 21Canadian Experience Class5096,000
January 20Provincial Nominee Program746 681
January 7Canadian Experience Class5118,000
January 5Provincial Nominee Program711574

Today's draw is the second Provincial Nominee Program draw and the third Express Entry selection overall, of the year. It follows a PNP draw on January 5 and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on January 7.

IRCC has started the year by continuing to prioritize candidates in Canada, and those who have experience with the Canadian labour market, or who have been nominated by a province:

Draw TypeNumber of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program5
Canadian Experience Class4
French-Language proficiency2
Physicians with Canadian work experience1
Healthcare and social services 1
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience1

In 2026 thus far, IRCC has issued 9,255 ITAs across two draw types:

Draw typeITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class24,000
French-Language proficiency14,000
Healthcare and social services 4,000
Provincial Nominee Program1,798
Physicians with Canadian work experience391
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience250

January is typically a time marked by increased Express Entry activity, as IRCC looks to issue more invitations that can count towards its admissions (or landings) target through federal pathways for that year.

Due to lag times from ITA issuance to an immigrant landing in Canada (in the form of application processing and wait times), admissions are usually anticipated a minimum of six months after an ITA is delivered.

See how competitive your Express Entry profile is

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