Canada has issued 733 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence in the latest Express Entry draw for Provincial Nominee Program candidates.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the draw was held on September 28, 2026, at 10:41:06 UTC, with a Comprehensive Ranking System cut-off score of 725.
Candidates needed to rank 733 or higher in the Express Entry pool to receive an invitation.
The latest draw continues Canada’s use of targeted rounds for candidates who have already secured a provincial nomination.
Latest Express Entry PNP Draw Results
The September 28 draw was limited to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program.
The key results were:
- Invitations issued: 733
- CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited: 725
- Rank required: 733 or above
- Date and time: September 28, 2026 at 10:41:06 UTC
- Tie-breaking rule: September 17, 2026 at 01:36:17 UTC
The tie-breaking rule applies when more than one candidate has the lowest CRS score. In that situation, the cut-off is based on the date and time the candidate submitted their Express Entry profile.
The CRS Cut-Off Dropped From the Previous PNP Draw
The latest PNP draw came two weeks after the September 14 round, which invited 576 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 734.
The September 28 cut-off of 725 is therefore nine points lower, while the number of invitations increased by 157.
This means more provincially nominated candidates were invited in the latest round than in the previous PNP draw.
A Provincial Nomination Gives Express Entry Candidates a Major CRS Boost
Candidates nominated through an Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program receive 600 additional CRS points.
That additional score is one reason PNP-specific draws often have much higher CRS cut-offs than some other Express Entry rounds.
A provincial nomination can therefore significantly strengthen the profile of an eligible candidate who may otherwise have a lower core CRS score.
Each province and territory sets its own eligibility requirements and uses its nominee programs to select candidates who can support local economic and labour market needs.
What the September 28 Draw Means for PNP Candidates
The latest result shows that provincial nomination remains an important route into the Express Entry system.
Candidates who meet the requirements of a provincial stream may be able to improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply once the nomination is confirmed.
For people already in the Express Entry pool, this also makes it important to understand which provincial programs may align with their occupation, work experience and immigration plans.
Our guide to Canada immigration pathways provides broader context on how provincial programs fit into Canada’s permanent residence system.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation to Apply
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply through the Provincial Nominee Program can move to the permanent residence application stage.
IRCC currently gives invited candidates 60 calendar days to submit their permanent residence application after receiving the invitation.
Applicants should also ensure that the information in their Express Entry profile still reflects their current circumstances before submitting the final application.
Sehli Global has previously explained the next steps after receiving an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence.
If you received an Invitation to Apply in the latest Express Entry draw and need professional support preparing and submitting your permanent residence application, book an appointment with Sehli Global or contact us at +1 (226) 799-7149.
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