Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just conducted the third Express Entry draw of the year, continuing its focus on candidates with provincial nominations and strong profiles.
📊 Key Results from the January 20, 2026 Draw
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Express Entry selection round:
- Date: January 20, 2026
- Program Targeted: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates
- Invitations to Apply (ITAs) Issued: 681
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: 746
- Tie-Breaker Rule Applied: Candidates must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 4:09 a.m. (UTC) on November 19, 2025 to be considered.
This draw was the second PNP-focused selection of January and the third Express Entry draw overall in 2026.
📈 How the 2026 Express Entry Draws Are Shaping Up
So far in January 2026, IRCC has held three draw types under Express Entry:
- January 5: PNP-only draw — 574 ITAs, CRS cut-off 711
- January 7: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw — 8,000 ITAs, CRS cut-off 511
- January 20: Latest PNP draw — 681 ITAs, CRS cut-off 746
This brings the total number of ITAs issued so far in 2026 to 9,255 across the CEC and PNP draws.
🔍 What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
🧑🔧 Provincial Nominee Program Focus
The January 20 draw once again targeted candidates who have already received a provincial nomination — meaning they received 600 additional CRS points before the cut-off was applied. As a result, the effective minimum CRS profile score (excluding the 600 bonus) would be significantly lower.
📊 Competitive CRS Threshold
A CRS score of 746 highlights the competitiveness of PNP-aligned profiles, even early in the year. Provincial nominations remain a strong strategy for candidates aiming to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
📌 What Is the Express Entry System?
Express Entry is Canada’s main economic immigration management system that selects skilled workers for permanent residency through an online pool of candidates. Profiles are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points for age, education, work experience, language ability, and other factors — including provincial nominations.
Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence when IRCC conducts regular draws throughout the year.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The third Express Entry draw of 2026 reaffirms Canada’s emphasis on provincial nominees and continued momentum in selecting candidates early in the year. With six-figure ITA totals expected throughout 2026, candidates with strong CRS scores — especially those with PNP support or Canadian work experience — remain well positioned for success.
