IRCC Holds First Express Entry Draw of July
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first Express Entry draw of July, issuing invitations to candidates nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The draw took place on July 6, 2026, with 534 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to eligible Provincial Nominee Program candidates.
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 708, making it the lowest CRS cut-off score for a Provincial Nominee Program draw in 2026.
Express Entry Draw Results – July 6, 2026
The latest Express Entry draw produced the following results:
- Draw Date: July 6, 2026
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Invitations Issued: 534
- Minimum CRS Score: 708
- Tie-breaking Rule: March 19, 2026, at 04:09:09 UTC.
Candidates who received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) now have the opportunity to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC.
Lowest PNP CRS Score of the Year
The July 6 draw marked an important milestone for Provincial Nominee Program candidates. With a minimum CRS score of 708, this draw recorded the lowest CRS requirement for any PNP-specific Express Entry draw held in 2026.
Provincial Nominee Program candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points after obtaining a provincial nomination. As a result, PNP-specific draws generally have significantly higher CRS cut-off scores than Canadian Experience Class, French-language proficiency, or category-based selection draws.
Why Are PNP CRS Scores So High?
Candidates invited under the Provincial Nominee Program receive 600 additional CRS points after being nominated by a participating Canadian province or territory.
For example:
- Candidate’s original CRS score: 108
- Provincial nomination: +600 points
- Final CRS score: 708
These bonus points significantly improve a candidate’s chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply during a PNP-specific Express Entry draw.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
IRCC has continued conducting targeted Express Entry draws throughout 2026 to meet Canada’s economic immigration priorities.
Recent invitation rounds have focused on:
- Provincial Nominee Program candidates
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants
- French-language proficiency candidates
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Other category-based selection streams
This targeted approach allows IRCC to address labour shortages while supporting Canada’s long-term immigration objectives.
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The latest draw demonstrates that obtaining a provincial nomination remains one of the strongest ways to improve an Express Entry profile.
Candidates with lower CRS scores may significantly increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply by securing a nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program aligned with their skills, education, and work experience.
Applicants should continue monitoring both Express Entry draws and Provincial Nominee Program invitation rounds, as selection criteria and CRS cut-off scores can change throughout the year.
Start Your Canada Immigration Journey Today!
Whether you are interested in Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Work Permits, Study Permits, Business Immigration, Family Sponsorship, Visitor Visas, or Canadian Permanent Residence, Canada Immigration Global is here to guide you through every step of your immigration journey.
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Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration programs, Express Entry draws, CRS score requirements, and application procedures may change without notice. Readers should consult official Government of Canada resources or seek professional immigration advice before making any immigration decisions.
