August 20, 2026
Canada has continued its Express Entry invitations with a new draw targeting candidates who have received a provincial nomination. The latest selection round highlights the continued importance of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 442 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program candidates in the latest Express Entry draw.
To receive an invitation, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 760.
In addition, eligible candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 6:01 p.m. UTC on August 7, 2026.
Here is a quick overview of the latest draw:
Candidates selected under this draw had already received a provincial nomination through one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs. An enhanced provincial nomination can provide eligible Express Entry candidates with an additional 600 CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | Number of ITAs |
| August 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 760 | 442 |
| August 7 | Transport | 470 | 300 |
| August 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 391 | 5,000 |
| August 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 3,000 |
| August 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 768 | 507 |
| July 23 | Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 4 |
| July 22 | French Language Proficiency | 399 | 5,000 |
| July 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 2,000 |
| July 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 744 | 511 |
| July 10 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 392 | 500 |
| July 9 | French Language Proficiency | 420 | 5,000 |
| July 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 517 | 2,000 |
| July 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 708 | 534 |
| June 25 | Healthcare and Social Services | 475 | 4,000 |
| June 24 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 223 | 271 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 516 | 4,000 |
| June 22 | Provincial Nominee Program | 730 | 955 |
| May 28 | French Language Proficiency | 409 | 4,500 |
| May 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 518 | 3,000 |
| May 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 805 | 334 |
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and social services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Throughout 2026, Canada’s Express Entry system has placed significant focus on candidates with strong connections to the Canadian labour market and economy.
Provincial nominees have been one of the most frequently selected groups, along with candidates in the Canadian Experience Class and French-speaking candidates.
As of this draw, IRCC had conducted:
This pattern shows that Canada continues to use Express Entry to select candidates based on labour market needs, Canadian work experience, language skills and provincial immigration priorities.
Over the course of 2026, IRCC has issued 113,865 Invitations to Apply through different Express Entry categories.
The largest number of invitations has been issued to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency category.
The Provincial Nominee Program has also remained an important pathway for candidates who may not have a competitive CRS score through the regular Express Entry pool alone.
For many skilled professionals, receiving a provincial nomination can significantly improve their chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence.
The latest draw is another reminder that candidates should explore all available pathways to Canadian permanent residence.
A strong Express Entry profile is important, but candidates with lower CRS scores may also benefit from applying to a suitable Provincial Nominee Program.
Each Canadian province and territory has its own immigration streams and eligibility requirements. Some programs target skilled workers, while others may focus on specific occupations, international graduates, workers with job offers or candidates with experience in high-demand sectors.
Candidates planning their Canada PR journey should regularly monitor Express Entry draws, Provincial Nominee Program updates and changes to eligibility requirements.
Canada’s immigration system offers several pathways to permanent residence, including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. Understanding which program matches your profile can help you make informed decisions about your immigration plans.
At Oasis Visas, our team can help you understand the available Canadian immigration pathways and guide you through the process based on your individual profile and eligibility.
PR Visa: Canada | Canada Express Entry | Canada-PNP | Australia | UK | USA | Germany | Austria | Hong Kong
Work Visa: Canada | Australia | Singapore | Ireland | UAE | Luxembourg
Investor Visa: Europe Investment | Canada Investment | Australia Investment | Caribbean Investment | US Investment | UK Investment | New Zealand Investment | Hong Kong
Study Visa: Canada | Australia | UK | USA | Germany | Ireland | France | Europe
Visitor Visa: Canada | Australia | UK | USA | Germany | Ireland | Singapore | Europe | Hong Kong | South Africa
Eligibility Points Calculator: Canada | Australia | Germany | UK
