First May Express Entry Draw Welcomes Provincial Nominees

The latest Express Entry draw by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued additional invitations to apply (ITA) for immigration. This round specifically targeted candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with a total of 380 ITAs released.
Details of the May Express Entry Draw
To qualify for this draw, candidates were required to meet specific criteria:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 798.
- Creation of an Express Entry candidate profile by 5:23 a.m. UTC on January 7, 2026.
Summary of 2026 Express Entry Draws
The May 11 draw is part of a series of selections taking place throughout 2026. Below is a summary of key draws conducted this year:
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off Score | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11 | Provincial Nominee Program | 798 | 380 |
| April 29 | French-Language proficiency | 400 | 4,000 |
| April 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 514 | 2,000 |
| April 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 795 | 473 |
| April 15 | French-Language proficiency | 419 | 4,000 |
| April 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 515 | 2,000 |
From January through May 2026, IRCC has conducted 27 draws. The focus this year has been particularly on candidates with provincial nominations and relevant Canadian work experience.
Types of Draws This Year
Here’s the breakdown of draw types conducted:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 10 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 8 draws
- French-Language proficiency: 5 draws
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
- Healthcare and social services: 1 draw
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 1 draw
- Trades: 1 draw
Total ITAs Issued in 2026
To date, the IRCC has issued a total of 72,007 ITAs in various categories:
- Canadian Experience Class: 34,250
- French-Language proficiency: 26,000
- Provincial Nominee Program: 4,116
- Healthcare and social services: 4,000
- Trades: 3,000
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250
This information outlines the current focus of Canada’s immigration policies, especially for skilled workers and those nominated by provinces.




