On January 5, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first Express Entry draw in 2026.
It is a draw of 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to permanent residence, and it focused on candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711.
To future immigrants the world over, this incident highlights the competitive environment in which Express Entry system in Canada takes place, whereby core CRS scores as low as 111 and with strategic options such as provincial nominations (six hundred points more on top of it) can be a simple difference between success and failure.
We are going to deconstruct the contents of the draw and the most recent CRS score distribution in the pool as well as give you a detailed guide to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and how to get a nomination that will see your chances of success soar.
Detailed Breakdown of January 5 Express Entry Draw
Program: Provincial Nominee Program
Date and time: January 5, 2026
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 711
Number of invitations issued: 574
Rank needed: 574 or above
Tie-breaking rule: October 06, 2025 at 01:54:31 UTC
In the event that several candidates had a lowest score, the invitations were sent to the last one, who presented the profile first, and the deadline was October 6, 2025, at 01:54:31 UTC.
Hopefully, there will be a draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry tomorrow.
Changes To CRS Score Distribution In The Pool
To have a better idea, the following is the score distribution of CRS in the Express Entry pool as of January 4, 2026, a day before the draw and comparison:
On the distribution, there is a competitive mid-tier of more than 70,000 candidates in the 451-500 range.
Those in the 559 bracket of 601-1200 bracket must contain a number of those with nominations since a PNP adds 600 points immediately.
The Provincial Nominee Program: A Game-Changer for Express Entry
The PNP enables provincial and territorial governments of Canada (except Quebec and Nunavut) to select immigrants based on their local economic requirements, e.g. skilled immigrant workforce, or entrepreneurship intent to settle in those regions.
This program is effective in solving regional labour shortages whether in Alberta which has an energy sector or Nova Scotia which has fisheries.
The PNP is essentially an alliance between the federal and provincial governments. The provinces have their own standards and quotas of nomination, where in nomination, candidates who are in a position to contribute to the local economies are nominated.
Upon nomination, you will have an enormous Express Entry benefit of 600 extra CRS points which most of the time will get you into the upper bracket and virtually assure you an ITA.
It has two streams, Express Entry-linked, and non-Express Entry-linked.
With the connected stream, you submit an application to a province but in the Express Entry pool; nomination increases your CRS immediately.
The non-linked stream is through direct application to the province then another federal PR application.
Benefits are immense. In addition to the points boost, a nomination binds you to a province, which comes along with specific employment opportunities and settlement.
It also expedites the processing- Express Entry PNPs virtualize nearly within six months. In the case of areas such as British Columbia or Ontario, PNPs address technological, medical, and trades shortages.
The eligibility differs depending on the province though it generally needs skills that match local needs, work experience, education, language skills, and the intention to settle in that particular province.
E.g. you may require employment opportunities or connections with the province.
Province selection is economic priority-based; points or first-come-first-serve.
Recent statistics depict that PNPs are also increasing their portion of the economic immigrants, and more than 91,500 nominations are to be administered in the levels plan of Canada in the year 2025.
By January 2026, significant changes in the foundation structure have not been made yet, and processing time can be expected to be long because of large volumes.
How to Get a Provincial Nomination: Step-by-Step Guide
The provincial nomination is not an automatic undertaking, however, it can be done through planning. The following is the way to go through the process:
Research Provinces and Streams: Begin by determining what your abilities can be used in. Browse the programs using official websites. An example of such a programme is the Opportunity Stream in Alberta where workers who are already in the province are targeted and the International Skilled Worker category in Saskatchewan is implemented by a points grid.
Check Eligibility: Examine requirements. The majority of them require at least one year of skilled experience (NOC level 0, A, or B), language skills (CLB 4-7 depending on the stream), and settlement funds. Others such as the Skilled Worker Overseas in Manitoba give preference to relationships such as family.
Select Your Path: Select between Express Entry-linked (points boost) or non-linked (goes directly to province). On linkedin make sure you are eligible to a federal program first.
Apply to the Province: Deposit an Expression of Interest (EDI) or direct application. Give up papers such as resumes, language exams, ECAs and connections. The fees vary between 0 and 1500 dollars per province.
Wait Nomination: Specific provinces assess and appoint capable candidates. In the event, you are chosen, you will be given a nomination certificate.
Make PR application: Use ITA and apply to IRCC with your complete application with police certificates and medicals.
Success tips: Omit your application to demonstrate economic impact. Create networking- visit job fairs or targeted websites such as LinkedIn.
Note the openings, some streams fill up fast. Eschew pitfalls such as unfinished papers or poor skills mismatch.
Processing time: Nomination should take between 1-6 months, and then at the federal level, with the Express Entry program, it will take 1-6 months.
The first ITAS of 2026, the first draw in which 574 ITAs are being issued with a CRS of 711, is a promising beginning. Competitive, but such options as PNP provide hope.
The system works by comprehending the system and by seeking nominations you can become a part of the colourful mosaic of Canada.
Create your profile, research provinces, and start high–start today. Your Canadian future awaits.
Canada’s First Express Entry Draw of 2026 Issues 574 Invitations for Permanent Residence
On January 5, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first Express Entry draw in 2026.
It is a draw of 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to permanent residence, and it focused on candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711.
To future immigrants the world over, this incident highlights the competitive environment in which Express Entry system in Canada takes place, whereby core CRS scores as low as 111 and with strategic options such as provincial nominations (six hundred points more on top of it) can be a simple difference between success and failure.
We are going to deconstruct the contents of the draw and the most recent CRS score distribution in the pool as well as give you a detailed guide to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and how to get a nomination that will see your chances of success soar.
Detailed Breakdown of January 5 Express Entry Draw
In the event that several candidates had a lowest score, the invitations were sent to the last one, who presented the profile first, and the deadline was October 6, 2025, at 01:54:31 UTC.
Hopefully, there will be a draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry tomorrow.
Changes To CRS Score Distribution In The Pool
To have a better idea, the following is the score distribution of CRS in the Express Entry pool as of January 4, 2026, a day before the draw and comparison:
On the distribution, there is a competitive mid-tier of more than 70,000 candidates in the 451-500 range.
Those in the 559 bracket of 601-1200 bracket must contain a number of those with nominations since a PNP adds 600 points immediately.
The Provincial Nominee Program: A Game-Changer for Express Entry
The PNP enables provincial and territorial governments of Canada (except Quebec and Nunavut) to select immigrants based on their local economic requirements, e.g. skilled immigrant workforce, or entrepreneurship intent to settle in those regions.
This program is effective in solving regional labour shortages whether in Alberta which has an energy sector or Nova Scotia which has fisheries.
The PNP is essentially an alliance between the federal and provincial governments. The provinces have their own standards and quotas of nomination, where in nomination, candidates who are in a position to contribute to the local economies are nominated.
Upon nomination, you will have an enormous Express Entry benefit of 600 extra CRS points which most of the time will get you into the upper bracket and virtually assure you an ITA.
It has two streams, Express Entry-linked, and non-Express Entry-linked.
With the connected stream, you submit an application to a province but in the Express Entry pool; nomination increases your CRS immediately.
The non-linked stream is through direct application to the province then another federal PR application.
Benefits are immense. In addition to the points boost, a nomination binds you to a province, which comes along with specific employment opportunities and settlement.
It also expedites the processing- Express Entry PNPs virtualize nearly within six months. In the case of areas such as British Columbia or Ontario, PNPs address technological, medical, and trades shortages.
The eligibility differs depending on the province though it generally needs skills that match local needs, work experience, education, language skills, and the intention to settle in that particular province.
E.g. you may require employment opportunities or connections with the province.
Province selection is economic priority-based; points or first-come-first-serve.
Recent statistics depict that PNPs are also increasing their portion of the economic immigrants, and more than 91,500 nominations are to be administered in the levels plan of Canada in the year 2025.
By January 2026, significant changes in the foundation structure have not been made yet, and processing time can be expected to be long because of large volumes.
How to Get a Provincial Nomination: Step-by-Step Guide
The provincial nomination is not an automatic undertaking, however, it can be done through planning. The following is the way to go through the process:
Research Provinces and Streams: Begin by determining what your abilities can be used in. Browse the programs using official websites. An example of such a programme is the Opportunity Stream in Alberta where workers who are already in the province are targeted and the International Skilled Worker category in Saskatchewan is implemented by a points grid.
Check Eligibility: Examine requirements. The majority of them require at least one year of skilled experience (NOC level 0, A, or B), language skills (CLB 4-7 depending on the stream), and settlement funds. Others such as the Skilled Worker Overseas in Manitoba give preference to relationships such as family.
Select Your Path: Select between Express Entry-linked (points boost) or non-linked (goes directly to province). On linkedin make sure you are eligible to a federal program first.
Apply to the Province: Deposit an Expression of Interest (EDI) or direct application. Give up papers such as resumes, language exams, ECAs and connections. The fees vary between 0 and 1500 dollars per province.
Wait Nomination: Specific provinces assess and appoint capable candidates. In the event, you are chosen, you will be given a nomination certificate.
Make PR application: Use ITA and apply to IRCC with your complete application with police certificates and medicals.
Success tips: Omit your application to demonstrate economic impact. Create networking- visit job fairs or targeted websites such as LinkedIn.
Note the openings, some streams fill up fast. Eschew pitfalls such as unfinished papers or poor skills mismatch.
Processing time: Nomination should take between 1-6 months, and then at the federal level, with the Express Entry program, it will take 1-6 months.
The first ITAS of 2026, the first draw in which 574 ITAs are being issued with a CRS of 711, is a promising beginning. Competitive, but such options as PNP provide hope.
The system works by comprehending the system and by seeking nominations you can become a part of the colourful mosaic of Canada.
Create your profile, research provinces, and start high–start today. Your Canadian future awaits.
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