Canada issues 733 invitations in the latest Express Entry draw for the Provincial Nominee Program with a CRS score of 725
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws for one of Canada's most popular immigration pathways every 2 weeks. Because Express Entry includes several immigration routes, including the CEC and FSTP, candidates must meet a minimum CRS cutoff to receive an ITA.
✅ Invitation Round: #445
✅ Date of Round: September 28, 2026 at 10:41:06 UTC
✅ Type of Draw: Provincial Nominee Program
✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 733
✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 725
✅ Tie-Breaking Rule: September 17, 2026, at 01:36:17 UTC
The latest Express Entry Draw #445 issued 733 invitations for the Provincial Nominee Program, focusing on candidates planning to work and settle in a specific Canadian Province. The Express Entry-based PNP draw boosts applicants' CRS score by 600, increasing their chances of receiving an invitation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The latest Express Entry draw is the 57th draw of 2026, with a minimum CRS cutoff of 725, and it plans to address regional workforce needs.
The last Express Entry Draw #444 invited 250 people specifically for senior managers with Canadian work experience. This is the third draw targeting senior management positions for those already working in Canada who are seeking permanent residency. As of 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held 56 Express Entry draws, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 389. This shows the Canadian government’s commitment to incorporating professionals with specific occupations and local work experience into the economy and the national labour force.
Canada Express Entry Next Draw Prediction
IRCC conducted the latest Express Entry draw on September 28, 2026, for the Provincial Nominee Program, with the next draw predicted for September 29, 2026. Usually, IRCC holds draws every two weeks. Still, Canada’s immigration department can change the schedule at any time, influenced by factors such as application volume and immigration targets outlined in the Canada Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028.
Canada Express Entry Draw List 2026
Total ITAs issued in 2026: 129,715
Express Entry Draws and Future Prospects
Throughout the year, Canada conducts regular Express Entry draws to invite eligible skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) organizes these draws, usually every week or every two weeks. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and those with the highest scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The Express Entry program remains one of the quickest and most popular pathways for skilled professionals to immigrate to Canada.
The Express Entry system oversees applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Typically, three to four draws are held each month, and invited candidates have up to 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application.
Canada Introduces Express Entry Categories for 2026
French-language proficiency
Healthcare and social services occupations
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
Trade occupations (such as carpenters, plumbers, contractors, and similar roles)
Education occupations
Transport occupations
Physicians with Canadian work experience
Senior managers with Canadian work experience
Researchers with Canadian work experience
Skilled military recruits
Express Entry Draws – Overview by Category
Invitation Rounds
There are usually three rounds of invitations in the Express Entry draw, including specific occupation draws. Here are the three invitation rounds:
General Invitation Round
This invitation round is for general immigrants who have applied under the Express Entry draw and have qualified for various immigration routes, clearing the minimum CRS cutoff, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program.
Program-Specific Invitation Round
The program-specific invitation round is for candidates who are eligible and have applied for a specific invitation round, which usually includes the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category draws, and focuses on the active hiring of professionals with skilled work experience.
Category-based Invitation Round
This type of invitation round is to fill workforce gaps and isn’t entirely dependent on the minimum CRS cutoff. Under the Category-based invitation round, IRCC invites candidates from a specific pool of worker categories, such as occupation, skills, language proficiency, etc., for which there’s a workforce shortage. No advance notice is issued for the draw; it is only published in an instruction format on the website.
Canada’s evolving Express Entry draws: 2023-2026 outlook
Express Entry draws have gone through a lot of changes throughout the years, with the 2023-2026 changes being the latest on how the process, invitation rounds, and overall Express Entry draw process will go forward:
IRCC conducted a major overhaul of the Express Entry system in 2023 by introducing category-based draws for STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), skilled trades, and language professionals, including francophone candidates.
On August 08, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Express Entry category to bring more professionals into the healthcare sector and advance industry goals.
Canada’s federal government and IRCC have actively planned PR targets since 2024. They will continue to do so, with Express Entry playing a crucial role in attracting individuals to the country, retaining talent, and granting Permanent Residency to deserving applicants.
IRCC has been conducting bi-weekly draws since 2023, with a successful response to STEM-specific draws due to workforce shortages in certain occupations across the country.
The latest Express Entry draws will remain a focal point of Canada's immigration targets and its efforts to attract skilled professionals from across the globe.
