Canada Sends New Invitations to Foreign Nationals for Permanent Residency
Canada invited 334 candidates to apply for permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in the latest Express Entry draw held on 25 May 2026.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 805.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry draw number 416 on 25 May, issuing invitations to 334 foreign nationals through the PNP stream. The tie-breaking rule applied to profiles submitted on or before 16 October 2025 at 18:16:33 UTC.
The draw follows several recent PNP-specific rounds. On 11 May, IRCC invited 380 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 798. In an earlier draw on 30 March, the cut-off score was 802. The steady increase in CRS thresholds reflects continued competition among candidates in the Express Entry pool, particularly those applying through provincial nomination programmes.
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for managing skilled immigration applications. It covers the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Provincial Nominee Program.
Through PNP streams, provinces and territories nominate individuals whose skills and experience match local labour market needs. Successful nominees can then apply for permanent residency, allowing them to live and work anywhere in Canada.
Changes introduced by IRCC on 25 March 2025 continue to affect candidate rankings within the system.
Under the revised rules, most applicants no longer receive additional CRS points for job offers. Previously, qualifying job offers could provide up to 200 points for senior management positions and 50 points for other skilled occupations. Only candidates in Major Group 00 of the National Occupation Classification remain eligible for these points.
As a result, factors such as language ability, education, and work experience now play a greater role in determining CRS rankings. The CRS score distribution published on 10 May 2026 showed a high concentration of candidates with strong scores.
For applicants seeking selection through the PNP, a provincial nomination remains a significant advantage, as it typically adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. Canada’s immigration system continues to combine federal oversight with regional selection priorities.
Through the PNP, provinces and territories can select candidates suited to their economic and workforce requirements while the federal government manages the overall Express Entry process.
