Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has conducted the second Express Entry draw of April 2026, focusing exclusively on candidates with provincial nominations.
A total of 324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 786.
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This marks the sixth Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of 2026, coming shortly after the March 30 round, which invited 356 candidates with a higher cutoff of 802.
Notably, the CRS score has dropped by 16 points, a positive signal for provincial nominees currently in the Express Entry pool.
Express Entry Draw Details – April 13, 2026
Here is the complete breakdown of the latest PNP-specific draw:
- Date: April 13, 2026
- Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program
- Invitations Issued: 324
- Minimum CRS Score: 786
- Rank Required: 324 or above
- Tie-Breaking Rule: November 19, 2025 at 18:53:59 UTC
The tie-breaking rule applies when multiple candidates share the same CRS score.
For this draw, candidates with a score of 786 were only invited if they submitted their profiles before November 19, 2025 at 18:53:59 UTC. Those who applied after this timestamp were not selected.
CRS Trends Across PNP Draws in 2026
The CRS cutoff has fluctuated significantly throughout the year:
- April 13: 324 invitations | CRS 786
- March 30: 356 invitations | CRS 802
- March 16: 362 invitations | CRS 742
- March 2: 264 invitations | CRS 710
- January 21: 681 invitations | CRS 746
- January 5: 574 invitations | CRS 711
Overall, CRS scores have ranged from 710 to 802.
At the same time, the number of invitations has gradually declined, suggesting that the pool of provincial nominees may be shrinking.
Types of Express Entry Draws in 2026
IRCC continues to conduct multiple draw types to manage candidate selection:
- Canadian Experience Class: CRS 507 to 511
- Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 710 to 802
- French Language Proficiency: CRS 393 to 400
- Trade Occupations: CRS 477
- Healthcare and Social Services: CRS 462 to 467
- Physicians: CRS 169
- Senior Managers: CRS 429
CRS cutoffs vary depending on the size of the eligible pool and the number of invitations issued.
Category-based draws typically have lower CRS scores because they target specific groups within the pool.
What to Do If You Received an ITA
Candidates invited in this draw have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
Required documents include:
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination results
- Proof of provincial nomination
It is important to note:
- Deadlines are strict, and no extensions are granted
- Provincial nominations must still be valid at submission
- Missing the deadline means losing the invitation
Applicants should begin gathering documents immediately, as some may take weeks to process.
Outlook for Upcoming PNP Draws
Based on current trends, IRCC is expected to continue biweekly PNP draws.
The next round will likely occur in late April or early May 2026.
If the number of provincial nominees in the pool continues to decline, CRS scores may drop further. However, new nominations from provinces such as Ontario or British Columbia could push scores higher again.
Key Takeaway
The latest draw shows a declining CRS trend, which is encouraging for provincial nominees. However, competition remains strong, and candidates should ensure their profiles are accurate and up to date to maximize their chances of receiving an invitation.
