IRCC Invites 473 Candidates in Latest PNP Express Entry Draw 

Key Takeaways 

Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)   

Invitations issued: 473  

Minimum CRS score: 795 

Tie-breaking rule: April 13, 2026 at 23:10:05 UTC  

Prediction for next draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on April 28. Check our dedicated page for more on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw.  

Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw

Today’s draw is the eighth PNP draw of 2026 and the second this month. 473 candidates with a provincial nomination were invited to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum CRS score of 795 required. 

The draw size was the largest we’ve seen since January 2026, when two draws were conducted with 574 and 681 ITAs issued. Since the beginning of March, draws had remained relatively small, ranging between 264 to 362 ITAs.

The cut-off in this draw increased slightly from 786 on April 13, making it the second-highest PNP score we’ve seen so far this year. The highest cut-off was 802, in the March 30 draw.

This does not mean that IRCC has been more selective this year. As of April 26, there were only 472 Express Entry profiles with a score above 601 in the pool. This is typically the minimum threshold for PNP candidates, since a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s score. 

This suggests that nearly all eligible PNP candidates have been receiving ITAs. New nominees are entering the pool regularly, but not always in large enough numbers to support bigger draws. 

Last year, by the end of April, IRCC had conducted seven PNP draws and invited 4,079 candidates. In comparison, 2026 has had eight PNP draws in the first four months, though individual draws have been smaller. Including the invitations going out today, IRCC has only issued 3,736 PNP invites this year, an 8% decline over 2025.

What Does This Mean for PNP Candidates? 

If you were in the pool with a provincial nomination before this draw, you likely received an ITA today. If you receive a nomination after the April 27 draw was held, you’ll still be in line for the next PNP round.  

So far, few PNP ITAs have been issued compared to last year. This is despite IRCC’s overall PNP admissions target of 91,500 for 2026, which is significantly higher than 2025’s target of 55,000. However, this makes sense when you account for the 121,800 PNP applications waiting in the backlog. This includes 13,700 Express Entry PNP applications and 108,100 non-Express Entry (base) PNP applications. 

Essentially, IRCC can easily meet its 2026 admissions target without any more draws this year. This doesn’t mean we expect PNP draws to stop. IRCC still needs a full pipeline for 2026-2027, given that the average processing time for non-Express Entry applications is now 13 months. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that IRCC recently handed over authority to assess a candidate’s ability to establish economically to provinces, which means provinces now have more control over PNP selection. It is possible that nominations might increase as a result, and more candidates could enter the pool with 600 bonus points. This could mean higher cut-offs or more ITAs issued in future draws. 

What This Means for Express Entry Candidates 

If you’re in the Express Entry pool with a score below the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) cut-off range of 507-515, a provincial nomination remains one of the most reliable ways to move up the queue. The 600-point boost effectively guarantees an ITA in a PNP draw. 

If you don’t have an Express Entry profile or provincial nomination yet, bear in mind that large-scale Express Entry reforms are underway. One of the proposed CRS changes is removing or modifying the 600 points for provincial nominations. 

There’s very little information on what shape these changes will take, but one possibility is that PNPs may be conducted entirely outside the Express Entry system. This remains to be confirmed. Even if implemented, these changes will likely not come into play until next year. That said, you might want to consider getting into the pool and pursuing a provincial nomination sooner rather than later.   

If your occupation qualifies for a category-based draw (healthcare, trades, French-language proficiency, education, research, STEM, or senior management) that may be an easier route. Category cut-offs have run well below the general CEC threshold throughout 2026. 

IRCC is also planning to replace the three existing economic programs—Federal Skilled Worker Program, CEC, and Federal Skilled Trades Program—with one consolidated program. Public consultations on these proposed changes are underway, and you can submit your opinions until May 24, 2026. 

 With lots of Express Entry changes expected in the coming months, it is advisable to keep up to date on the latest developments, so you can react quickly. 

Further Resources for PNP Candidates    

For more information:     

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