Canada kicked off 2026 with its first Express Entry draw, issuing 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711 and created their profile before October 6, 2025. This PNP-focused draw signals IRCC’s continued emphasis on in-Canada applicants, category-based selections like French speakers and physicians, and strategic immigration priorities for the year.
Canada’s First Express Entry Draw of 2026: PNP Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
| Draw type | Express Entry – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Number of ITAs issued | 574 |
| Minimum CRS score | 711 |
| Program | Only PNP candidates |
| Profile creation cut-off | Before 1:54 a.m. UTC on October 6, 2025 |
| Year’s first Express Entry draw | Yes, first selection of 2026 |
What This PNP Draw Means for Your 2026 PR Plans ?
A CRS cut-off of 711 underscores the power of a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points and can transform a modest profile into an instant ITA winner. IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan points to more French-language draws as Francophone targets rise outside Quebec, plus a new category for physicians with Canadian work experience. In-Canada experience remains a key edge, favouring workers and graduates already building lives in Canada.
What this draw tells us about Express Entry in 2026?
IRCC has already indicated in its latest Immigration Levels Plan that it will continue to priorities applicants who are already in Canada, along with those aligned with labour market priorities through category‑based draws.
That means three big trends for 2026:
- Continued emphasis on in‑Canada candidates: Workers and graduates already in Canada may see stronger chances through Express Entry and PNP pathways.
- Growth in French category‑based draws: Targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec are rising, so French‑speaking candidates should expect more dedicated rounds.
- New category for physicians: IRCC has announced a specific category for “Physicians with Canadian work experience,” opening a focused pathway for doctors already contributing to Canada’s healthcare system.
If you fit into any of these priority groups or can position yourself to do so you could be closer to an ITA than you think.
Are you competitive for Express Entry in 2026?
A CRS cut‑off of 711 in a PNP draw does not mean every draw in 2026 will be this high, but it does show how powerful a provincial nomination is. With 600 points from a PNP nomination, even a modest base CRS can suddenly become ITA‑ready.
Ask yourself:
- Do you know your current CRS score and how it changes with age, language scores, or spouse factors?
- Have you explored which provinces might be interested in your specific NOC, work experience, or language profile?
- Are you missing out on category‑based opportunities (French, healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, etc.) simply because your profile is not optimised or even created yet?
If the answer to any of these is “no” or “not sure,” you are risking time and opportunities while others move ahead in the queue.
Canada’s first Express Entry draw of 2026 proves that IRCC is serious about targeted, category‑based immigration and rewarding well‑prepared applicants who move early instead of waiting. If you are serious about Canada PR, PNP, or category‑based selection this year, now is the time to act not after scores rise or policies tighten further.
To avoid costly mistakes, missed draws, or weak profiles, connect with the best immigration consultancy in Noida and get a personalized Express Entry plus PNP strategy for 2026. A specialist team can assess your CRS score, match you with the right provinces and categories, and guide you step by step from profile creation to ITA and PR approval so your Canadian dream does not stay just a headline.