Express Entry lowered the passing score for provincial nominees
In the new selection round, 324 candidates received invitations for permanent residence in Canada.
On April 13, 2026, the Government of Canada held a new Express Entry draw for candidates with a provincial nomination. A total of 324 people received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 786. For comparison, in the previous draw on March 30, 2026, the minimum score was 802, and 356 candidates received invitations. The cutoff score dropped by 16 points, while the number of invitations also decreased slightly.
Despite the decrease, the cutoff score remains very high. This continues to reflect the high level of competition among provincial nominee candidates and the significant role these draws play in the Express Entry system.
Candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly strengthens their position in the system. This means that in this draw, candidates only needed 186 points based on core factors, including age, education, English or French language skills, work experience, and adaptability factors in Canada.
Want to know how many points you could get? Use our online CRS calculator to estimate your immigration chances.
The results of this draw once again highlight the important role of Provincial Nominee Programs, which allow Canadian regions to attract professionals who best meet their economic and demographic needs.
How Provincial Nominee Programs work
Each Canadian province and territory sets its own candidate requirements based on labor market needs and regional priorities. Typically, to receive a nomination, you need to:
- meet the requirements of one of the federal immigration programs;
- create a profile in the Express Entry system;
- receive a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points and significantly increases your chances of receiving an invitation.
Stay updated on the latest Express Entry draws so you don't miss new opportunities to immigrate to Canada.
