Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted a surprise Express Entry draw on 10 November, inviting 714 provincial-nominee candidates to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was 738, reflecting the automatic 600-point boost that accompanies a nomination certificate.
The draw—IRCC’s first since releasing the 2026-28 Immigration Levels Plan—signals Ottawa’s intent to lean even more heavily on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) as it shifts toward regionally balanced growth. Under the new targets, PNP admissions will rise 66 % to 91,500 by 2026, while Temporary Foreign Worker Program numbers are trimmed.
![Largest Express Entry PNP draw since April issues 714 invitations]()
Employers in smaller provinces welcomed the move. Manitoba tech firm Skiply Software said a PNP-stream engineer it sponsored was among those selected and could receive permanent residence by mid-2026—critical for retention. Immigration lawyers, however, warn that high CRS thresholds remain a barrier for many international graduates who lack job-offer or nomination points.
For global mobility managers, the message is clear: provincial engagement is becoming indispensable. Companies should monitor individual PNP criteria, maintain robust compliance records and budget for nomination fees that can exceed CAD 2,000 per employee. Candidates invited in this round have 60 days to submit full electronic applications, with most expected to land before the end of 2026.
The draw—IRCC’s first since releasing the 2026-28 Immigration Levels Plan—signals Ottawa’s intent to lean even more heavily on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) as it shifts toward regionally balanced growth. Under the new targets, PNP admissions will rise 66 % to 91,500 by 2026, while Temporary Foreign Worker Program numbers are trimmed.
Employers in smaller provinces welcomed the move. Manitoba tech firm Skiply Software said a PNP-stream engineer it sponsored was among those selected and could receive permanent residence by mid-2026—critical for retention. Immigration lawyers, however, warn that high CRS thresholds remain a barrier for many international graduates who lack job-offer or nomination points.
For global mobility managers, the message is clear: provincial engagement is becoming indispensable. Companies should monitor individual PNP criteria, maintain robust compliance records and budget for nomination fees that can exceed CAD 2,000 per employee. Candidates invited in this round have 60 days to submit full electronic applications, with most expected to land before the end of 2026.
