Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has conducted another round of Express Entry invitations, continuing its strong focus on candidates already connected to Canada’s labour market and provincial immigration systems.
In the latest draw held on May 25, the federal government issued 334 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program category.
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 805 and must have created their Express Entry profile before 6:16 p.m. UTC on Oct. 16, 2025.
The latest selection marks the second consecutive Provincial Nominee Program draw and the twenty-eighth Express Entry draw conducted so far in 2026.
The high CRS cut-off once again reflects the significant advantage provided by provincial nominations within Canada’s immigration system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination typically gain an additional 600 CRS points, making them highly competitive for selection.
So far this year, Provincial Nominee Program draws have become one of the most frequently used invitation categories by the federal government, second only to Canadian Experience Class selections.
Current Express Entry trends suggest Ottawa is continuing to prioritize applicants who already have Canadian work experience, provincial endorsements or strong French-language skills as part of its broader immigration and labour market strategy.
Since the beginning of 2026, Canada has issued a total of 72,341 invitations through Express Entry across several targeted categories.
The largest share of invitations this year has gone to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, with 34,250 invitations issued so far. Candidates with strong French-language abilities have also remained a major priority, receiving 26,000 invitations across five separate French-language proficiency draws.
Provincial Nominee Program candidates have received 4,450 invitations this year through 11 separate draws.
The immigration department has also introduced several occupation-targeted categories designed to address labour shortages in key sectors. These include healthcare and social services, trades, physicians with Canadian work experience and senior managers already working in Canada.
One of the most notable trends in 2026 has been the federal government’s clear emphasis on selecting candidates already established within Canada, rather than focusing primarily on overseas applicants.
Immigration analysts say this strategy reflects Ottawa’s effort to address immediate labour shortages while also improving newcomer integration outcomes by prioritizing individuals with Canadian education, work experience or provincial support.
The draws also demonstrate the increasing importance of provincial immigration programs, which allow provinces and territories to nominate candidates based on local labour market needs and regional economic priorities.
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary pathway for skilled immigration and continues to play a central role in the country’s long-term economic and population growth strategy.