Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program Draw: 681 Invited | CRS 746

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) on January 20, 2026. In this round, IRCC issued 681 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had received a provincial nomination, with the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score set at 746.

This draw highlights Canada’s continued focus on supporting provinces and territories in selecting skilled immigrants who meet specific regional labor market needs.

Draw at a Glance

• Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

• Date and Time of Draw: January 20, 2026

• Number of ITAs Issued: 681

• CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 746

• Rank required: 681 or above

• Tie-breaking rule: November 19, 2025 at 04:09:11 UTC

(If more than one candidate had the lowest CRS score, the cut-off was based on the date and time their Express Entry profile was submitted.)

Why This PNP Express Entry Draw Matters

Strong advantage for provincially nominated candidates

With a CRS cut-off of 746, this draw reflects the significant boost provided by a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile. This advantage places nominated applicants at the top of the Express Entry pool, making them highly competitive for receiving an ITA.

Supporting regional workforce needs

Provincial Nominee Program draws allow provinces and territories to address specific labor shortages in key industries such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, technology, and skilled trades. This ensures that immigration directly contributes to local economic growth and community development.

Stable and predictable pathway to PR

PNP-linked Express Entry rounds continue to offer a reliable and structured pathway for skilled professionals who may not meet the CRS cut-offs in general or category-based draws but have strong ties to a province or territory.

What This Means for Express Entry Applicants

For candidates with a provincial nomination

If you have received a provincial nomination and your CRS score is 746 or above, this draw demonstrates a strong likelihood of receiving an ITA through the Express Entry PNP stream.

For candidates without a nomination

This draw underlines the importance of exploring Provincial Nominee Programs as a strategic option. Securing a nomination can significantly improve your CRS score and enhance your chances of being invited in future Express Entry rounds.

Strategic takeaway

Applicants aiming for Canadian permanent residence should actively research provincial streams aligned with their occupation, work experience, and settlement preferences, as a successful nomination can transform their Express Entry profile.

How Swainz Overseas Careers Can Help You

• Personalized profile assessment to identify suitable Provincial Nominee Program streams

• Provincial targeting strategy based on your occupation, CRS score, and long-term settlement goals

• End-to-end post-ITA support, including documentation, application review, and PR submission guidance