IRCC Invites 733 PNP Candidates in Sept. 28 Express Entry Draw

Key Takeaways

• Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Invitations issued: 733
• Minimum CRS score: 725
• Tie-breaking rule: September 17, 2026 at 01:36:17 UTC
• Prediction for next draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on September 29. 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, IRCC invited 733 candidates with a provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence. The minimum CRS score required was 725.

Today’s CRS cut-off of 725 points was 9 points lower than the most recent PNP draw on September 14, remaining within the typical score range we have seen for PNP draws in 2026.

Receiving a provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, which is why the cut-offs for PNP draws are much higher than other draws. PNP candidates sit at the top of the Express Entry pool.

As of September 27, 2026, there were 728 candidates with scores above 600 in the Express Entry pool. With 733 ITAs issued today, the draw likely invited all eligible candidates with a provincial nomination.

Today’s draw was on the larger end for PNP candidates with 733 total invitations. In fact, there has only been one larger PNP draw so far in 2026 and that took place after a gap of four weeks between draws.

With today’s draw, IRCC has now issued 9,270 ITAs to PNP candidates across 19 draws in 2026. That’s about 28 percent more than the 7,238 PNP ITAs issued by the same point in 2025.

What This Means for PNP Candidates

If you have an Express Entry profile with a provincial nomination attached, today’s draw might have landed you the coveted invitation to apply (ITA).

A nomination gives you 600 additional CRS points. As a result, most nominated candidates have scores high enough to receive an ITA when IRCC holds a PNP-specific Express Entry draw.

If you received an ITA today, your next step is to prepare and submit your permanent residence application within the deadline shown in your Express Entry account. Make sure the information and documents you provide support the details you claimed in your profile.

If you’re still hoping to secure a nomination, PNP draws are expected continue regularly. Most provinces still have ample nomination room left for 2026. Each province sets its own priorities and may target candidates based on factors such as occupation, work experience, language ability, location, or connections to the province.

IRCC’s overall PNP admissions target for 2026 is 91,500, increasing to 92,500 in 2027. These targets cover people admitted through both Express Entry-linked nominations and base PNP streams.

The estimated processing time for PNP applications submitted through Express Entry is currently around 6 months. This means that candidates who received an ITA in today’s draw will likely receive permanent residence by mid-2027.

What This Means for Express Entry Candidates

Getting a provincial nomination can significantly impact your position in the pool because it adds 600 points to your CRS score, almost guaranteeing an ITA in the next PNP draw.

But you can’t simply apply for any PNP and expect to receive a nomination. Provinces and territories choose candidates according to their own immigration needs, and the requirements differ significantly from one program to another.

Most provincial PNP streams tend to favour candidates already working in the province or those with an established connection to the province, but there may be opportunities for candidates outside Canada as well, depending on your background and target province.

If a provincial nomination isn’t within reach, you may want to explore other ways to improve your Express Entry profile. A better language test result, additional eligible work experience, French-language skills, or another qualification could increase your CRS score. If you have qualifying experience in a priority occupation, you may also be eligible for category-based Express Entry draws.

Further Resources for PNP Candidates

For more information:

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