Having skipped the previous month of May 2026, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) carried out the first Express Entry Draw for June 2026, sending an ITA invitation to 955 candidates for permanent residence in Canada. The most recent round saw the government inviting candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program and became the largest PNP only Express Entry draw in 2026 so far. The candidates needed a CRS score of at least 730 points to secure an invitation for the same.
Highlights of First Express Entry Draw of June 2026
- Draw Date – June 22, 2026
- Draw Number – Express Entry Round #419
- Draw Type – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Total Invitations Issued – 955
- Minimum CRS Score Required – 730
Biggest Provincial Nominee Program Draw for 2026
In terms of invitations issued, the recently concluded Express Entry PNP Draw has become the biggest Provincial Nominee Program draw conducted in 2026. There was a marked increase in the number of invitations in comparison with the previous PNP draw conducted in May.
| Draw Date | Invitations | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 22 | 955 | 730 |
| May 25 | 334 | 805 |
| May 11 | 380 | 798 |
| Apr 27 | 473 | 795 |
| Apr 13 | 524 | 786 |
The increase in the number of invitations and the lowered CRS score requirement relative to previous PNP draws indicate that provinces are still actively nominating skilled workers.
CRS Cut-Off Decreases to 730
One of the most important trends that took place during this draw is the decreasing cut-off CRS score.
In the last draw the CRS cut-off decreased from 805 to 730. It is a difference of 75 points between the current CRS cutoff score and the CRS cut-off score from the last draw held on 25 May 2026 where the cut-off score reached 805. The cut off score decreased providing new opportunities for candidates in PNP to be invited for PR.
Why Do PNP Candidates Have High CRS Score?
Candidates that have been chosen through Provincial Nominee Program get 600 extra CRS points due to getting provincial nominations.
Therefore, CRS cut-offs for PNP-specific Express Entry draws are higher than those for CEC, French language proficiency and category based draws. People that get provincial nominations usually come to the top of Express Entry pool list giving themselves high chances to be invited for PR.
Implications of This Draw for Canada Immigration Applicants
This is the first Express Entry Draw conducted by IRCC in June 2026 showing that IRCC is continuing its focus on prioritizing applicants who have received provincial nominations. The significant rise in invitations shows high provincial need for skilled labor in various industries.
For applicants who have profiles in the Express Entry pool, receiving a provincial nomination is among the best ways to achieve higher CRS scores and get an invitation for permanent residency in Canada. Provinces are still using their nomination systems to lure labor to meet labor shortage needs in their regions.