IRCC has extended its invitation rounds in fall, with the launch of Another Express Entry Draw of October: Canada Issues 752 PR Invitations to PNP Candidates, carried out on October 13, 2026. Under the management of Round #448, IRCC sent out 752 PR invitations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The CRS cut-off score increased by 47 points, resulting in a total of 772. This score shows an increase in skilled nominated candidates applying for Permanent Residency in Canada.
Highlights of Another Express Entry Draw of October
- Draw Date – October 13, 2026
- Draw Category – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Total Invitations Issued – 752
- Minimum CRS Score Required – 772
Analysis of Why the CRS Cutoff Increased by 47 Points to 772 Amid Increase in Invitation Quota
The CRS cutoff score in this round rose by 47 points from 725 to 772 despite the increase in the number of invitations to 19 by IRCC. This increase represents the change in the nature of the pool composition within the two weeks after the September 28 selection round.
Since nomination to a provincial stream is accompanied by a CRS bonus of 600 points, the applicant with the lowest rank in this selection round had a human capital score of 172 points.
Various provincial nomination categories like Ontario OINP, BC PNP, and Alberta AAIP made nominations in early October. When such nominated applicants registered in the Express Entry pool, they had higher human capital scores, pushing the cutoff score to 772 points.
Comparison of Recent Express Entry PNP Selection Rounds for 2026
The table below illustrates the progression of score cutoffs and invitation volumes across recent PNP selection rounds conducted by IRCC.
| Draw Date | Round Number | Invitations Issued (ITAs) | Minimum CRS Score | Score Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2026 | #438 | 562 | 697 | -63 points |
| September 14, 2026 | #442 | 576 | 734 | +37 points |
| September 28, 2026 | #445 | 733 | 725 | -9 points |
| October 13, 2026 | #448 | 752 | 772 | +47 points |
Across 20 dedicated PNP selection rounds held in 2026, IRCC has now issued 10,022 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) specifically to provincial nominees.
What Invited Provincial Nominees Need to Do Now
Provincial nominees who obtained an ITA through the Other Express Entry Draw of October: Canada Issues 752 PR Invitations to Provincial Nominees have 60 days to provide their completed online application for PR.
Key tasks to be performed by the applicants who have received an invitation –
- Confirm Active Provincial Certificate –
Ensure that your certificate of nomination is still active and has not expired on or before the date when the ITA was issued. - Provide Proofing Documentation –
Gather signed reference letters, payslips, T4 summaries, medical reports and police clearance reports for those countries where you have spent more than six months continuously. - Examine Your Core Profile Details –
Make sure that your education evaluation reports and official language test reports (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TFC) are still valid and match with your hard copy records.
If you are an applicant in the pool but do not have a provincial nomination –
- Monitor Upcoming CEC Draws:
Following the usual trend for drawing times, IRCC is known to conduct draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or category-based draws (French, STEM, Healthcare) 24-48 hours after the PNP draws. - Apply to Provincial Nominee Programs:
This is by far the most guaranteed method to avoid the high cut-off scores of the Express Entry due to the bonus of 600 points.