Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had a latest Express Entry draw for PNP where they granted 681 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian Permanent Residence to the lucky ones. The nominated candidates were the only ones who were eligible for the draw, which was under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and is now the third IRCC’s plan of ruling in favour of the provincial immigration pathway. The candidates’ Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores needed to be at least 746 points, which is the case because the provincial nominees are given 600 extra points. This draw is one more sign that Canada is taking measures to fight the ongoing problem of regional labour shortages and at the same time helping the provinces to choose the right skilled immigrants according to the local economic needs.
Highlights of the Latest Express Entry Draw For PNP
● Draw Date – 20 January 2026
● Program – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
● Number of Invitations – 681
● CRS Score – 746
CRS Score Distribution in Pool
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 601–1200 | 0 |
| 501–600 | 16,341 |
| 491–500 | 13,278 |
| 481–490 | 12,942 |
| 471–480 | 15,965 |
| 461–470 | 15,320 |
| 451–460 | 15,209 |
| 451–500 (Total) | 72,714 |
| 401–450 | 66,836 |
| 441–450 | 14,452 |
| 431–440 | 14,571 |
| 421–430 | 13,092 |
| 411–420 | 12,863 |
| 401–410 | 11,858 |
| 351–400 | 53,221 |
| 301–350 | 19,062 |
| 0–300 | 8,269 |
| Total | 236,443 |
What This Express Entry PNP Draw Means for Applicants
The recent Express Entry draw provides proof that PNP applicants are still the most sought-after profiles in the Express Entry pool. The 600 CRS points given to provincial nominees enable them to get invitations even when there are high overall cut-offs for CRS. A provincial nomination remains to be one of the most beneficial approaches to getting permanent residency in Canada for those with lower core CRS scores. It is anticipated that IRCC would carry on switching between PNP, CEC, and category-based draws in the forthcoming rounds.
Recap of Recent Express Entry Draws
| Date | Number of Invitations | CRS Score | Draw Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2026 | 681 | 746 | Provincial Nominee Program |
| 07 Jan 2026 | 8,000 | 511 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| 05 Jan 2026 | 574 | 711 | Provincial Nominee Program |
| 17 Dec 2025 | 6,000 | 399 | French Language Proficiency |
| 16 Dec 2025 | 5,000 | 515 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |