Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 534 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a July Express Entry draw targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. To qualify, applicants required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 708 and had to have created an Express Entry profile before 2:49 p.m. UTC on June 4, 2026.
This marked the first Express Entry draw of July and adds to a 2026 schedule in which IRCC has conducted 35 rounds to date. Through this year, IRCC has issued 89,601 ITAs across all Express Entry draw types, with the following breakdown: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 43,250; French-language proficiency 35,500; Provincial Nominee Program 5,939; Healthcare and social services 8,000; Trades 3,000; Physicians with Canadian work experience 662; Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 750.
The July 6 PNP cutoff of 708 is the lowest PNP cutoff observed in a provincial-nominee draw this year and the lowest PNP cutoff since November 25, 2025. Throughout 2026, most Express Entry rounds have prioritized candidates already in Canada, particularly those with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.
Looking ahead, Maple News will continue to monitor IRCC’s Express Entry rounds and provide analysis on what these draw patterns mean for aspiring permanent residents and employers across Canada.