Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a recent Express Entry draw focused on Provincial Nominee Program candidates.
To be considered in this draw, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742 and had to have created an Express Entry profile before 8:35 p.m. UTC on October 5, 2025.
This draw marks the fifteenth Express Entry selection of 2026, continuing a year in which IRCC has prioritized candidates already in Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience.
Looking at 2026 totals, IRCC has issued 45,604 ITAs across various streams: 24,000 through the Canadian Experience Class, 14,000 through French-language proficiency, 4,000 in healthcare and social services, 2,221 via Provincial Nominee Programs, 391 for physicians with Canadian work experience, and 250 for senior managers with Canadian work experience.
The sustained emphasis on provincial nominations and in-country experience aligns with Canada’s broader immigration strategy to attract needed skills and support provincial labor market needs. For applicants aiming to maximize their chances, Maple News recommends staying engaged with provincial streams, building Canadian work experience where possible, and monitoring CRS scores and nomination opportunities as the Express Entry landscape evolves.