Provincial Nominees Invited in First Express Entry Draw of May
As leading Canada immigration consultants, Jaggi Consultants brings you the latest update on the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted the first Express Entry draw of May, targeting candidates with provincial nominations.
Latest Express Entry PNP Draw: Key Highlights
IRCC has issued 380 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)–specific Express Entry draw.
To receive an ITA in this round, candidates were required to have:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 798
- An Express Entry profile created before 5:23 a.m. (UTC) on January 7, 2026
Because a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s base score, PNP applicants are usually among the highest-ranked in the Express Entry pool, making an ITA almost guaranteed once nominated.
Express Entry Draws in 2026: At a Glance
IRCC continues to use category-based selection and targeted draws to meet Canada’s immigration and labour market goals. Below is a summary of all Express Entry draws held in 2026 so far.
2026 Express Entry Draw History
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language Proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
| April 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 786 | 324 |
| April 2 | Trades | 477 | 3,000 |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French-Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and Social Services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
The May 11 draw is:
- The 10th PNP-specific draw of 2026
- The 27th Express Entry draw overall this year
Focus on Provincial Nominees and In-Canada Candidates
This year, IRCC has clearly prioritized:
- Candidates with provincial nominations
- Applicants with Canadian work experience
- French-speaking candidates and specific occupational categories (healthcare, trades, managers, physicians)
Number of Draws by Category in 2026
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 10 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 8 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 5 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Trades | 1 |
Total ITAs Issued in 2026 So Far
In 2026, IRCC has issued 72,007 ITAs across various draw types:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 26,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4,116 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 250 |
These trends show that candidates who are already integrated into the Canadian labour market or who can fill specific skills gaps have a competitive advantage.
How Jaggi Consultants Can Help You
At Jaggi Consultants, we guide you through:
- Building a strong Express Entry profile
- Identifying suitable Provincial Nominee Program streams
- Improving your CRS score through language, work experience, and education strategies
- Preparing and submitting a complete permanent residence application after receiving an ITA
If you wish to assess your chances under Express Entry or explore PNP pathways, contact Jaggi Consultants for a personalized eligibility evaluation and step-by-step immigration guidance.
For personalised immigration advice, contact Jaggi Consultants.