Canada’s First Express Entry Draw of 2026 Issues 574 ITAs to PNP Candidates
On January 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the first Express Entry draw of 2026, issuing 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The draw set a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711 and included a profile creation cutoff: candidates must have submitted an Express Entry profile before 1:54 a.m. (UTC) on October 6, 2025.
Draw results and eligibility thresholds
This was a PNP-specific draw under Express Entry. Key details include:
- Number of ITAs issued: 574
- Minimum CRS score: 711
- Profile creation cutoff: before 1:54 a.m. (UTC), October 6, 2025
- Significance: IRCC’s first Express Entry selection of 2026
A quick summary of the draw is provided below:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Draw date | January 5, 2026 |
| Program / category | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates |
| ITAs issued | 574 |
| Minimum CRS | 711 |
| Profile cutoff | Created before 1:54 a.m. (UTC), Oct 6, 2025 |
What to watch in 2026: “In-Canada first” and category-based selection
IRCC has indicated in its Immigration Levels Plan that it intends to continue prioritizing in-Canada applicants for permanent residence, while maintaining category-based selection within Express Entry. However, how draws will be structured across different categories and score ranges throughout the year remains to be seen.
French and physicians categories may become major focus areas
Based on IRCC’s previous communications and policy direction, two potential trends are drawing close attention:
- More French-language category draws: As Canada’s targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec continue to increase, French category-based draws may become more frequent or larger in size.
- Potential launch of the physicians category: IRCC has announced a new category for “Physicians with Canadian work experience.” Whether and when this category will begin receiving Express Entry selections could become a key development in 2026.
Year-to-date total
So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 574 ITAs through Express Entry—equal to the total issued in this first draw of the year.
Summary of the 2026 Express Entry draws
| Date | Draw category | Invitations issued | Minimum CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 5 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 574 | 711 |
Friendly reminder: There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada. We recommend first using UNA AI to generate an objective and neutral immigration plan, so you can gain an initial understanding of the possible immigration pathways and their requirements, and then choose to proceed with one-on-one consultations with a licensed Canadian immigration consultant partnered with UNA.
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