Canada Invites 576 Provincial Nominees to Apply for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued another round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system.

In the latest draw, IRCC invited 576 Express Entry candidates who had received a provincial nomination.

To be considered in this draw, candidates needed:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 734; and
• An Express Entry profile created before 9:39 p.m. UTC on August 29, 2026.
  
  

This draw once again highlights the importance of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) within Canada’s Express Entry system.

Latest PNP Express Entry Draw Details

The September 14, 2026 draw included the following:

• Draw type: Provincial Nominee Program
• Invitations issued: 576
• CRS cut-off score: 734
• Tie-breaking date and time: August 29, 2026 at 9:39 p.m. UTC
  
  

Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream receive additional CRS points, which can significantly improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

Provincial Nominees Continue to Be a Major Focus

Provincial nominees have remained an important part of Express Entry selections throughout 2026.

Canada’s provinces and territories use Provincial Nominee Programs to select candidates who may help meet their local labour market and economic needs.

Candidates who receive an enhanced provincial nomination through Express Entry can move closer to receiving an ITA for permanent residence.

The September 14 draw was the 18th Provincial Nominee Program draw held in 2026.

Recent Express Entry Draws

IRCC has continued to hold regular Express Entry draws across different categories.

Some of the most recent draws include:

• September 15: Canadian Experience Class – 2,000 ITAs – CRS 519
• September 14: Provincial Nominee Program – 576 ITAs – CRS 734
• September 4: Healthcare and Social Services – 3,500 ITAs – CRS 475
• September 3: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience – 229 ITAs – CRS 198
• September 1: Canadian Experience Class – 2,000 ITAs – CRS 521
• August 31: Provincial Nominee Program – 562 ITAs – CRS 697
• August 19: French-Language Proficiency – 5,000 ITAs – CRS 382
• August 18: Canadian Experience Class – 1,000 ITAs – CRS 523
• August 17: Provincial Nominee Program – 442 ITAs – CRS 760
• August 7: Transport – 300 ITAs – CRS 470
• August 6: French-Language Proficiency – 5,000 ITAs – CRS 391
• August 5: Canadian Experience Class – 3,000 ITAs – CRS 516
  
  

These draws show that IRCC continues to select candidates through both program-specific and category-based Express Entry rounds.

Bridging Open Work Permit for Express Entry Applicants

Some applicants who are already in Canada and have applied for permanent residence through Express Entry may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

A BOWP can allow eligible applicants to continue working in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed.

If an applicant’s existing work permit expires before a decision is made on the BOWP application, they may benefit from maintained status.

Maintained status can allow an applicant to continue working under the same conditions as their existing work permit, as long as they remain in Canada and meet the applicable requirements.

Eligible family members may also be able to qualify for an open work permit in certain situations.

Canada Has Held 54 Express Entry Draws in 2026

With the completion of the September 14 selection round, Canada had conducted 54 Express Entry draws in 2026.

Candidates with existing ties to Canada have continued to receive significant attention under Express Entry.

This includes both provincial nominees and candidates with Canadian work experience.

The number of draws held by category includes:

• Provincial Nominee Program: 18 draws
• Canadian Experience Class: 16 draws
• French-Language Proficiency: 10 draws
• Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 3 draws
• Healthcare and Social Services: 3 draws
• Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 2 draws
• Trades: 1 draw
• Transport: 1 draw
• Skilled Military Recruits: 1 draw
  
  

Express Entry Invitations Issued in 2026

According to the figures provided, IRCC had issued 121,732 ITAs through Express Entry in 2026 by the time of this draw.

The invitations were distributed across different categories, including:

• Canadian Experience Class: 51,250 ITAs
• French-Language Proficiency: 50,500 ITAs
• Healthcare and Social Services: 11,500 ITAs
• Provincial Nominee Program: 8,537 ITAs
• Trades: 3,000 ITAs
• Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 891 ITAs
• Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 750 ITAs
• Transport: 300 ITAs
• Skilled Military Recruits: 4 ITAs
  
  

Canadian Experience Class and French-language draws accounted for the largest number of invitations issued during the year.

What This Draw Means for Express Entry Candidates

The latest PNP draw shows that provincial nominations continue to provide an important pathway to Canadian permanent residence.

Candidates who may not have a competitive CRS score on their own may improve their chances if they qualify for a provincial nomination.

However, eligibility rules vary between provinces and immigration streams.

Candidates should regularly review provincial programs, keep their Express Entry profiles updated and ensure that their work experience, education, language results and other information are accurate.