Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held a new Express Entry draw, issuing 681 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To qualify in this draw, candidates needed:
- A minimum CRS score of 746, and
- An active Express Entry profile created before 4:09 a.m. (UTC) on November 19, 2025.
Latest Draw Details
- Draw Date: January 20, 2026
- Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program
- Number of Invitations: 681
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 746
Express Entry Draws List 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
This is the second PNP-focused draw and the third Express Entry draw overall conducted by IRCC this year. It follows an earlier PNP draw on January 5 and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on January 7, highlighting Canada’s continued focus on candidates with strong ties to the Canadian labour market.
Express Entry Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, IRCC has prioritized applicants who already have Canadian work experience or provincial support. The draw breakdown to date includes:
- 1 Canadian Experience Class draws
- 2 Provincial Nominee Program draws
In total, IRCC has issued 9,255 ITAs through Express Entry this year, including:
- 8,000 ITAs under the Canadian Experience Class
- 1,255 ITAs through the Provincial Nominee Program
January is typically an active period for Express Entry invitations, as IRCC works to meet its annual permanent residence targets. Since permanent residence applications take time to process, successful applicants generally become permanent residents several months after receiving their ITA.
What This Means for Applicants
For candidates aiming to improve their chances under Express Entry, securing a provincial nomination remains one of the strongest pathways, as it adds 600 CRS points to an applicant’s profile.
If you are planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence or explore provincial nomination options, Oasis Visas can help you assess your eligibility and guide you through every step of the process.
