Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a recent Express Entry draw limited to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Eligible applicants needed a minimum CRS score of 786 and must have created an Express Entry profile before 6:53 p.m. UTC on November 19, 2025.
This draw marks the eighth PNP draw of 2026 and the twenty-first Express Entry draw of the year. PNP candidates have consistently received ITAs in 2026, underscoring IRCC’s ongoing emphasis on provincial nominations within the Express Entry framework.
Year-to-date figures show IRCC has issued 59,154 ITAs across multiple streams. The breakdown is: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 30,250; French-language proficiency 18,000; Healthcare and social services 4,000; Provincial Nominee Program 3,263; Trades 3,000; Physicians with Canadian work experience 391; and Senior Managers with Canadian work experience 250.
The year’s draws illustrate a clear pattern: a steady cadence of PNP-focused rounds alongside strong CEC and French-language draws. This reflects IRCC’s strategy to prioritize candidates already in Canada or with provincial sponsorship, with PNP draws being the most frequent within Express Entry in 2026.
Analysts note that the high CRS cutoff for this PNP-focused draw highlights the competitiveness of provincial nomination pathways. The sustained activity across Express Entry suggests a robust intake pipeline for permanent residence, even amid evolving skilled-immigration dynamics.
For prospective applicants, the takeaway is to maintain an up-to-date Express Entry profile and actively explore provincial nomination options to enhance eligibility. Maple News will continue monitoring IRCC’s draw patterns and will provide updates as new rounds are announced.