Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its second Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of May 2026, issuing a notable 334 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The draw highlighted the government’s continued commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants to Canada.
Details of the Draw
In this recent draw, candidates were required to meet specific criteria. To qualify, participants needed to have:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 805.
- An Express Entry candidate profile created before 6:16 p.m. UTC on October 16, 2025.
Provincial Nominee Program Performance
This draw marks the 28th Express Entry selection this year and reflects an ongoing trend of focusing on candidates already residing in Canada, especially those who have provincial nominations or Canadian work experience.
2026 Express Entry Summary
As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 72,341 ITAs across various draw types in 2026. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 34,250 |
| French-Language proficiency | 26,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 4,450 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian work experience | 250 |
Draw Insights
In total, the distribution of draws for 2026 has been as follows:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 11 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
This strategic approach from IRCC indicates a robust effort to streamline the immigration process for specific skilled workers, enhancing Canada’s labor market by aligning immigration objectives with economic needs.
