August 4, 2026 Express Entry Draw: 507 PNP Invitations, CRS 768
On August 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another round of invitations under the Express Entry system, issuing 507 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category.
The draw took place at 10:39:04 UTC, and the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score among invited candidates was 768. This means any candidate ranked 507th or higher in the pool at that time received an invitation.
Latest round details
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and time | August 4, 2026 at 10:39:04 UTC |
| Round type | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Invitations issued | 507 |
| Lowest-ranked CRS score | 768 |
| Rank required | 507 or above |
| Tie-breaking rule | May 15, 2026 at 15:58:19 UTC |
The CRS score distribution of candidates in the pool is current as of August 3, 2026.
Why the CRS cut-off is 768
A CRS score of 768 might seem unusually high. However, a provincial nomination automatically adds 600 points to a candidate's base score.
A PNP-specific draw only invites candidates who already hold this nomination. The 768 figure reflects that 600-point addition on top of the candidate's base score. It does not mean applicants need a 768 base score.
How PNP rounds work
Express Entry runs three types of rounds. These include general, program-specific, and category-based rounds.
This specific draw was a program-specific round. It was strictly limited to candidates eligible under the Provincial Nominee Program.
To receive an invitation here, a candidate must first get a nomination from a province or territory. The candidate then accepts this nomination in their Express Entry profile to get the 600 points.
What the tie-breaking rule means
IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule when multiple candidates share the lowest CRS score of 768. The cut-off depends on the date and time each candidate submitted their Express Entry profile.
Anyone with a score of 768 who submitted their profile before May 15, 2026 at 15:58:19 UTC received an invitation. Candidates at 768 who submitted their profiles after that exact timestamp were not invited.
What happens next for invited candidates
The 507 candidates selected in this round have now received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). These individuals have a limited window to submit a complete permanent residence application.
They must prepare and upload all required documents before the deadline expires.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Readers should consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer about their own specific situation.
Source: IRCC – Express Entry Rounds of Invitations
What the Data Tells Us
This draw is another reminder that a provincial nomination remains one of the most reliable paths into Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, particularly for candidates whose base CRS score alone wouldn't be competitive in a general draw. The headline number of 768 can be misleading at first glance, but as outlined above, it's a function of the 600-point nomination bonus rather than a reflection of how difficult it is to enter the pool. For candidates pursuing a provincial nomination, our advice is to submit and complete your Express Entry profile as early as possible, since the tie-breaking rule shows that submission timing can be the deciding factor between receiving an invitation and missing one.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Readers should consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer regarding their specific situation.