Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 733 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on September 28, 2026, the 19th PNP draw of the year and the largest invitation round for provincial nominees since late June.

Draw Highlights

Date and time: September 28, 2026, at 10:41:06 UTC.
Category: Provincial Nominee Program.
CRS cut-off: 725.
Invitations issued: 733.
Rank needed: 733 or above.
Tie-breaking rule: Candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before 01:36:17 UTC on September 17, 2026, were prioritised where scores were tied.

A Cut-Off Within the Expected Range

At 725, this round’s CRS threshold came in 9 points lower than the previous PNP draw on September 14, which had climbed to 734. The score remains well within the typical band PNP draws have occupied throughout 2026, and with 728 candidates holding scores above 600 in the pool as of September 27, this round captured nearly the entire eligible group at that level.

Why PNP Cut-Offs Sit So Much Higher Than Other Categories

A provincial nomination adds a flat 600 points to a candidate’s CRS total, which is why PNP draws routinely require scores in the 700s while categories like Canadian Experience Class or French-language proficiency clear at scores several hundred points lower. This gap often leads candidates to assume Express Entry is out of reach if their core CRS score alone is modest, but a nomination can close that distance almost entirely, turning what looks like an inaccessible pathway into one of the most direct routes to an ITA.

What UAE Applicants Should Take From This Round

For candidates based in the UAE building their Express Entry strategy, this draw is a reminder not to anchor an entire plan around one CRS number. A candidate with a base score well below what general draws require can still become highly competitive the moment a provincial nomination is secured. With 2026 already on pace to be Canada’s busiest year on record for Express Entry invitations, and PNP consistently among the most active categories, exploring provincial streams remains one of the most effective ways to accelerate a permanent residence timeline.

Get Guidance on the Right Provincial Stream for You

Provincial nomination programs vary significantly by province, both in eligibility criteria and processing timelines. Speaking with an experienced immigration consultant can help you identify which provincial stream best matches your occupation and background, and how to position your Express Entry profile to make the most of a nomination once secured.