IRCC Invites 752 PNP Candidates in October 13 Express Entry Draw

Key Takeaways

• Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Invitations issued: 752
• Minimum CRS score: 772
• Tie-breaking rule: July 15, 2026 at 13:57:33
• Prediction for next draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on October 14. Check our dedicated page for more on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw.

Our Analysis of This Express Entry Draw

In today’s PNP draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 752 candidates with a provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score required was 772.

Today’s CRS cut-off was 47 points higher than the previous PNP draw on September 28, when 733 candidates received ITAs with a minimum score of 725.

As of October 12, 2026, there were 749 candidates with CRS scores above 600 in the Express Entry pool. With 752 invitations issued today, IRCC likely invited all eligible candidates with a provincial nomination.

Today’s draw was slightly larger than the September 28 round, when 733 candidates received invitations.

PNP draw sizes have varied considerably in 2026, ranging from 264 to 955 invitations. However, the ITAs issued in PNP draws are typically based on how many eligible candidates with provincial nominations are available in the Express Entry pool.

While PNP cut-offs are considerably higher than those for other Express Entry draws, this is because a provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. So far in 2026, PNP cut-offs have ranged between 697 and 805. The large variation in cut-offs is not unexpected, as draws usually empty the pool of eligible candidates with nominations.

With today’s draw, IRCC has now issued 10,022 ITAs to PNP candidates across 20 draws in 2026. This is approximately 24 percent more than the 7,583 PNP ITAs issued by this point in 2025.

What This Means for PNP Candidates

If you already have a provincial nomination linked to your Express Entry profile, today’s draw may have brought you an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

PNP draws have been held regularly throughout 2026, generally every two weeks (with only one missed draw in June). Since candidates receive 600 additional CRS points for a provincial nomination, most eligible nominees have a strong chance of receiving an ITA in a PNP-specific draw.

If you received an invitation today, you have 60 days to submit your complete permanent residence application. Make sure your supporting documents are ready and that all the information in your application matches the details in your Express Entry profile.

For candidates still waiting for a provincial nomination, there may be more opportunities before the end of 2026.

Provinces continue to select candidates based on their labour market needs, with some prioritizing specific occupations, Canadian work experience, or existing connections to the province.

Canada’s PNP admissions target for 2026 is 91,500 permanent residents, rising to 92,500 in 2027. These targets include both Express Entry-linked and non-Express Entry PNP admissions.

The estimated processing time for Express Entry-linked PNP applications is currently around 7 months. This means candidates invited in today’s draw should expect a decision on their permanent residence application by mid next year, although individual processing times may vary.

What This Means for Express Entry Candidates

If your CRS score is not high enough to receive an invitation through Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or other Express Entry draws, securing a provincial nomination could significantly improve your chances.

The additional 600 CRS points awarded for a nomination can move you ahead of most other candidates in the Express Entry pool.

However, provincial nominations are not automatic. Each province has its own eligibility requirements and selection priorities. Some streams require a job offer or work experience in the province, while others may consider candidates living outside Canada.

If you are interested in a PNP, start by identifying provinces where your occupation, work experience, and qualifications match current immigration priorities.

You should also continue exploring other ways to improve your Express Entry profile. Retaking a language test, improving your French, or gaining additional eligible work experience could help increase your CRS score.

Depending on your background, you may also qualify for category-based Express Entry draws, which can have lower CRS cut-offs than general or CEC draws.

Another aspect to keep in mind as you prepare for a provincial nomination is that IRCC has proposed extensive CRS reforms, some of which might be implemented this fall. One proposal is removing the 600 points candidates receive for a provincial nomination. It is unclear whether this proposal will be approved, and how PNP will continue to work through Express Entry if the points are removed.

The Moving2Canada team is closely following developments on this. Stay tuned for updates later this fall.

Further Resources for PNP Candidates

For more information:

• Track provincial nominations with our Live PNP tracker.
• Learn more about PNPs in our beginner’s guide.