IRCC Invites 507 Express Entry Candidates in PNP Draw on August 4

Key Takeaways

Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Invitations issued: 507

Minimum CRS score: 768

Tie-breaking rule:  May 15, 2026 at 15:58:19 UTC

Prediction for next draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on August 5, 2026. 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, 507 candidates with a provincial nomination received invitations to apply for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score required was 768.

So far this year, PNP cut-offs have ranged between 708 and 805 — nearly a 100-point difference. Although today’s cut-off falls within this established range, PNP cut-offs, on their own, don’t mean much as draws tend to empty the pool of all eligible candidates with a provincial nomination.

IRCC issued 507 ITAs in today’s draw, putting it in line with other PNP draws in 2026. The largest PNP draw so far this year was on June 22, with 955 ITAs, while the smallest was on March 2, with 264 ITAs.

Although that may seem like significant variance in draw sizes, the number of ITAs issued in each draw have aligned closely with the number of eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool. This is because getting a PNP nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score and nearly guarantees an ITA.

As of August 3, 2026, there were 500 candidates with a 600+ score in the Express Entry pool. This suggests that today’s draw of 507 ITAs virtually emptied the pool of nomination holders.

With today’s PNP draw, the 15^th of 2026, IRCC has issued 6,957 ITAs to PNP candidates.

What Does This Mean for PNP Candidates?

Except for one missed draw in June, PNP activity has been the most consistent feature in Express Entry this year. Most provinces still have considerable nomination room remaining for 2026, so we don’t expect a slowdown in PNP draws.

That said, IRCC has a sizeable backlog of PNP applications. As of July 7, 2026, approximately 12,100 Express Entry-linked PNP applications and 103,800 base PNP applications were waiting to be processed. With processing times currently standing at 7 months for Express Entry PNP applications, candidates who receive an ITA today should expect to get a permanent residence decision in the first half of 2027.

The notional target for PNP admissions in 2027 under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan is set at 92,500. This number includes both Express Entry-linked and non-Express Entry PNP application (base applications).

What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates

Although getting a provincial nomination (and the 600 CRS points that come with it) makes your path to PR straightforward, not everyone can count on a provincial nomination. This is especially true now, with many provinces restricting PNP streams to certain in-demand occupations or in-Canada applicants.

If a provincial nomination seems out of reach, that doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry. You could still be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) if you have Canadian experience and a CRS score in the 515-520 range. Alternatively, you may be eligible for an ITA under a category-based draw, if you have strong French-language skills or experience in a priority occupation, such as healthcare, trades, or senior management. Category-based draws typically see lower cut-offs than CEC draws.

If you’re eligible for CEC or an Express Entry category, but don’t quite have the CRS score required, our guide on improving your CRS score is a useful resource. It highlights effective ways to boost your ranking in the pool, including:

• Retaking the language test
• Learning French
• Gaining more work experience, especially in a priority category
• Maximizing spousal factor points

Further Resources for PNP Candidates

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