380 Candidates Receive ITAs in 10th PNP Express Entry Draw of 2026

Key Takeaways 

Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw

What Does This Mean for PNP Candidates? 

So far this year, PNP draws have been consistent, with one draw every other week. PNP draw sizes have kept pace with the number of candidates in 601+ CRS range. This means that if you were in the Express Entry pool and accepted a provincial nomination in the last two weeks, you likely received an ITA today.

However, IRCC also has a huge backlog of PNP applications in the processing stage. As of April 7, 2026, this includes 13,700 Express Entry PNP and 108,100 non-Express Entry (base) PNP applications. The backlog is much higher than the 2026 PNP admissions target of 91,500. This could be one of the reasons why provinces and territories have been slow in issuing nominations.

Provinces are also becoming more selective in how they use their nomination allocations. Recently, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick decided to limit their PNP spaces to candidates in certain occupations. BC, for instance, will focus on candidates in public services (healthcare, veterinary care, and education), trades, and innovation. Nova Scotia, too, will prioritize healthcare and skilled trades.

That said, we expect PNP draws to continue throughout the year. Given the long processing times for these applications, candidates who get ITAs under PNP draws in the coming months will realistically only receive their permanent residence in 2027.

The Way Forward for Express Entry Candidates

Today’s draw is a reminder that a provincial nomination is still one of the most direct routes to an ITA. If your CRS score is below the current CEC range and you’re not eligible under one of the priority categories for 2026, the 600-point boost from a nomination effectively guarantees an invitation in a PNP draw.

If getting a nomination isn’t realistic, there are a few other ways to improve your position in the pool:

• Retake your language test if there’s room to improve your score
• Learn or improve your second official language skills
• If you have a spouse or partner, ensure their profile is optimized and included. This means maximizing their language scores too.
• Get an additional education credential that can boost your score
• Gather more work experience
• Explore the possibility of qualifying for a category-based draw. This might mean working on your French skills or gaining one year of experience in health or social services, trades, or another eligible priority occupation.

If you’re considering immigrating to Canada and don’t yet have an Express Entry profile, now is the time to make one. Because Express Entry may not look the same next year. IRCC has already proposed significant reforms, including a single program to replace the current Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Changes to CRS points are also expected. A big one for PNP-hopefuls is that IRCC plans to reconsider the 600 points candidates currently get for a provincial nomination. While this could mean the Express Entry PNP stream will end, these details are yet to be finalized by IRCC. Public consultations are open until May 24, 2026, and as someone potentially impacted by the proposed changes, you should submit your recommendations to IRCC.

Further Resources for PNP Candidates    

For more information:     

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