Express Entry held its largest selection process for provincial nominees in three months

The nominees were 125 points short of meeting the basic criteria, and the deadline for submitting documents is 60 days.

On September 28, 2026, the Express Entry system conducted draw No. 445 for provincially nominated candidates. A total of 733 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence in Canada, and the cut-off score was 725.

Compared to the previous selection round on September 14, the number of invitations increased by 157: at that time, 576 candidates received invitations. This represents a 27% increase. It is the largest selection of provincial nominees since June 22, 2026, when 955 people received invitations.

The passing score dropped by 9 points, from 734 to 725. It fell below that level four times in 2026: on January 5 (711), March 2 (710), July 6 (708), and August 31, when the threshold dropped to 697—the lowest of the year.

Selection rounds for this category are held on a strict two-week schedule: August 4, August 17, August 31, September 14, and now September 28. In total, there have been 19 such selection rounds since the beginning of 2026, and provincial nominees have received 9,270 invitations through them.

Taking into account the 600 points awarded for the provincial nomination—which are added to the CRS score in the federal pool—a score of 125 points based on the core criteria (age, education, language proficiency, and work experience) was sufficient to pass the selection process.

When multiple candidates receive the same score, invitations are sent first to those who created their profiles earlier. For this selection round, the cutoff date is September 17, 2026 (01:36 UTC). Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete set of documents.

Use the free calculator to see how many points you’ve earned and assess your chances of receiving an invitation.

Who is eligible for the selection process for provincial nominees?

Candidates with an active profile in Express Entry who meet the eligibility requirements for one of the federal programs and have received a nomination from a province or territory are eligible to participate in these selection rounds. A nomination is worth 600 points, so regardless of the 2026 cut-off score—whether it’s 697 or 805—it virtually guarantees an invitation in the next selection round.

Each province operates its own immigration streams with different requirements regarding occupation, work experience, and language proficiency. Some streams operate exclusively through Express Entry, while others accept applicants directly, outside the federal system.