Express Entry has updated the minimum for provincial nominees

The passing score has dropped to 708 — now almost any provincial nominee can receive an invitation.

On July 6, 2026, the Express Entry system held a new draw for candidates with provincial nominations. Invitations to apply for permanent residence in Canada were sent to 534 candidates.

The cut-off score was 708 — the lowest threshold for provincial nominees since the beginning of 2026. For comparison, in the previous draw on June 22, 2026, the minimum score was 730, and 955 people received invitations. The score dropped by 22 points, while the number of invitations was cut almost in half.

The cut-off score has been declining for several draws in a row. Back in May, the threshold for provincial nominees exceeded 800 points, but by early July it dropped below 710. At the same time, the number of invitations is also decreasing, which may indicate that the main pool of high-scoring candidates is running out.

A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate's score. With a cut-off threshold of 708, candidates only needed to score 108 points based on core criteria: age, education, English or French language proficiency, and work experience. This means that virtually any candidate with a valid provincial nomination had a strong chance of receiving an invitation.

Among candidates with the same score of 708 points, priority was given to those who registered their profile before June 4, 2026. When scores are tied, candidates who submitted their profile earlier always have the advantage.

Invited candidates have 60 days to gather and submit their complete application package. This includes language test certificates, proof of education and work experience, as well as provincial nomination documents.

Check your score using our free points calculator. With the current cut-off threshold, most candidates with a provincial nomination have a good chance of receiving an invitation.

How to get a provincial nomination

Each Canadian province and territory runs its own immigration programs designed to attract professionals based on local economic needs. To receive a provincial nomination, candidates must meet the requirements of one of the federal programs, have an active profile in Express Entry, and receive an invitation from a specific province. A nomination adds 600 points to your score, which at current thresholds basically guarantees you'll receive an invitation to apply.

If you want to find out which provincial programs are right for you, book a consultation with a licensed immigration consultant.