Canada’s immigration system started the new year with an important step. On January 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of the year. This draw issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. It focused only on candidates who had provincial nominations, showing how Canada continues to prioritize regional needs and local job markets.
This targeted approach helps provinces bring in skilled workers who can fill specific gaps in their economies. The draw highlights the key role of provincial support in the federal Express Entry system.
Details of the January 5 Draw
The draw was specific to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Here are the main facts from the official information:
- The program targeted was the Provincial Nominee Program.
- The date of the draw was January 5, 2026.
- The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for invited candidates was 711.
- A total of 574 invitations were sent out.
- The tie-breaking rule applied was October 6, 2025, at 01:54:31 UTC.
Since a provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, the invited people likely had much lower base scores before the boost. For example, a core CRS score as low as 111 could reach 711 with the nomination. This shows the powerful impact of getting nominated by a province.
Only those with nominations were considered in this draw, making it exclusive to PNP candidates.
Latest CRS Score Distribution in the Pool
The Express Entry pool remains large and competitive. Data from January 4, 2026, compared to December 14, 2025, gives a clear picture of how many candidates are in different score ranges.
Here is the breakdown:
| CRS Range | Jan 4, 2026 | Dec 14, 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 5939 | 390 | +169 |
| 501-600 | 21013 | 21792 | -779 |
| 451-500 | 70523 | 68700 | +1823 |
| 491-500 | 12873 | 12315 | +558 |
| 481-490 | 12499 | 12149 | +350 |
| 471-480 | 15435 | 14859 | +576 |
| 461-470 | 14881 | 14535 | +346 |
| 451-460 | 14835 | 14842 | -7 |
| 401-450 | 65120 | 66948 | -1828 |
| 351-400 | 52469 | 52574 | -105 |
| 301-350 | 18745 | 18829 | -84 |
| 0-300 | 8125 | 8069 | +56 |
| Total | 236554 | 237302 | -748 |
Over 70,000 candidates are in the 451-500 range, which is very competitive for general draws. The highest bracket, 601 and above, mostly includes those with provincial nominations. This data shows small shifts in the pool over a few weeks, with some ranges growing and others slightly decreasing. The total number of candidates in the pool dropped a bit to around 236,554.
Role of the Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program helps Canada meet regional economic needs by allowing provinces and territories to select immigrants. All provinces and territories except Quebec and Nunavut have their own nomination programs.
Key benefits include:
- An addition of 600 CRS points for nominated candidates in Express Entry.
- Focus on filling local job shortages.
- Faster processing times, especially for Express Entry-linked streams, often around six months.
- Support for settling in the province through tied programs.
PNP streams generally fall into two types. Express Entry-linked streams let candidates get the CRS boost directly in the federal pool. Non-Express Entry streams involve applying straight to the province and then separately for permanent residence.
Under the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, more than 91,500 nominations are set aside for PNPs. This makes it one of the biggest paths for economic immigrants.
Steps to Get a Provincial Nomination
Candidates can follow these steps to pursue a PNP nomination:
- Research different provinces and their specific streams to find where your skills or occupation are needed. For instance, some streams prioritize workers already in the province.
- Check if you meet the basic requirements. Most need skilled work experience in certain job categories, language test results at specific levels, proof of settlement funds, and sometimes connections to the province.
- Decide on the application path. The Express Entry-linked option provides the quick CRS increase and leads to faster permanent residence.
- Submit your interest or application to the province. This usually requires documents like a resume, language scores, educational credential assessment if needed, and proof of any ties such as a job offer or family.
- Wait for the province to review and issue a nomination certificate.
- Once nominated and you receive an ITA, complete the full permanent residence application to IRCC.
Additional tips include matching your application to the province’s labour priorities, watching for when popular streams open, preparing all documents carefully, and participating in job fairs to strengthen connections.
Processing typically takes one to six months for the nomination decision, and about six months for the federal permanent residence stage in Express Entry cases.
Summary of the Development
The January 5, 2026, Express Entry draw issued 574 ITAs to Provincial Nominee Program candidates with a minimum CRS score of 711.
This matters because it underscores Canada’s focus on provincial nominations to address regional labour needs in a competitive pool.
Going forward, candidates should note that a provincial nomination significantly boosts chances, even for those with lower base CRS scores, making PNP a direct route in the Express Entry system.