On September 28, 2026, Canada's immigration authority conducted a Provincial Nominee Programme draw, issuing invitations to 733 candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score for the draw was set at 725. This draw was conducted through the Express Entry system, targeting provincially nominated applicants seeking permanent residence. The draw was conducted at 10:41:06 UTC, and only candidates ranked 733rd or higher in the pool were eligible to receive an invitation.
A tie-breaking rule was applied to candidates who shared the lowest qualifying score of 725. Immigration authorities resolved the tie using the date and time applicants originally submitted their Express Entry profiles. The cut-off was fixed at 17 September 2026 at 01:36:17 UTC. Candidates who had created their profiles before that precise moment and held a score of 725 were eligible for an invitation. This rule ensures that candidates who submitted their profiles earlier are given priority.
The relatively high minimum score is characteristic of PNP-specific draws. Candidates who hold a provincial or territorial nomination receive an automatic addition of 600 points to their CRS score. This consistently pushes the qualifying threshold in these rounds above what is typically seen in general draws. As a result, only candidates with high scores were eligible to receive an invitation in this draw.
Canada's Express Entry system manages applications across three main immigration programmes. Invitations are distributed through separate rounds, with authorities determining the round type, the number of candidates to invite, and which applicants rank highest among those eligible. Programme-specific rounds, such as this PNP draw, are restricted to candidates who already hold a nomination from a Canadian province or territory.
Alongside targeted rounds, the system also runs general rounds open to eligible candidates across all three managed programmes, as well as category-based draws aimed at meeting specific economic objectives set by the Minister of Immigration. The 28 September draw forms part of a broader series of Express Entry rounds conducted throughout 2026 as Canada continues to manage permanent residence admissions through its points-based selection framework.
Earlier, it was reported that Canada had listed three key scenarios in which foreign workers may need to apply to update their existing work permits. The update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada explains when temporary foreign workers already in the country must apply to extend or change the conditions of their permits. This update aims to clarify the requirements for foreign workers and ensure they maintain their status in Canada.
The article was published on September 29, 2026, at 9:40 AM by Philip Boateng Kessie, the Head of the Diaspora Affairs Desk at YEN.com.gh. With over eight years of journalism experience, Philip has worked in various roles, including as a reporter for Graphic Communications Group Limited and a content writer for Scooper News. He holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of Cape Coast and certificates in Advanced Digital Reporting and Fighting Misinformation.
Key points
- Canada's immigration authority issued 733 Invitations to Apply to Provincial Nominee Programme candidates through the Express Entry system on 28 September 2026.
- The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score for the draw was set at 725, among the higher thresholds recorded for a PNP-specific round.
- Candidates who hold a provincial or territorial nomination receive an automatic addition of 600 points to their CRS score, pushing the qualifying threshold in these rounds above what is typically seen in general draws.
