Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a recent Express Entry draw limited to provincial nominees. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score stood at 744, and eligible candidates must have created an Express Entry profile before 6:11 p.m. UTC on May 26, 2026.
This invitation round continues a 2026 trend of prioritizing applicants who are already in Canada, especially those with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations. As of this writing, IRCC has held 39 Express Entry draws this year, reflecting a steady pace of invitations and a clear preference for candidates with established ties to Canadian programs.
Express Entry is a points-based system that manages permanent residence applications for several programs. The CRS assigns points based on factors such as age, language ability, education, work experience, and a provincial nomination or Canadian residence experience can significantly boost a candidate’s score. In this draw, the provincial nomination effectively elevated eligible profiles to the 744 CRS threshold.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026 (ITAs issued by category):
– Canadian Experience Class: 48,250
– French-language proficiency: 45,500
– Provincial Nominee Program: 6,957
– Healthcare and social services: 8,000
– Trades: 3,000
– Transport: 300
– Physicians with Canadian work experience: 662
– Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 750
– Skilled Military Recruits: 4
As IRCC continues to refine its selection, the year-to-date totals show the strongest ITA volume still flowing through Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency, while provincial nominees remain a critical channel for backfilling provincial needs.
Draws by type in 2026 (number of draws): Provincial Nominee Program — 15; Canadian Experience Class — 13; French-language proficiency — 9; Physicians with Canadian work experience — 2; Healthcare and social services — 2; Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience — 2; Trades — 1; Transport — 1; Skilled Military Recruits — 1.
Overall, IRCC has issued 92,612 ITAs across all Express Entry draw types so far in 2026. This mix underscores the government’s strategy of leveraging provincial nominations and targeted categories to balance regional immigration needs with national labor market demands.
What this means for applicants: those pursuing permanent residence via Express Entry should consider how a provincial nomination could boost their CRS score, and keep their profiles up to date to remain eligible for upcoming rounds. Maple News will continue to monitor IRCC announcements and provide analysis on trends affecting immigration and startup pathways in Canada.