October 26, 2026 Express Entry Draw: 792 PNP Invitations, CRS 761
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held an Express Entry draw on October 26, 2026. The department issued 792 Invitations to Apply to Provincial Nominee Program candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score required was 761.
This round invited only eligible provincial nominees from the candidate pool.
Latest Round Details
The table below displays the official results for this draw. The pool score distribution is current as of October 25, 2026.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Date and time | October 26, 2026 at 10:38:23 UTC |
| Round type | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Invitations issued | 792 |
| Lowest-ranked CRS score | 761 |
| Rank required | 792 or above |
| Tie-breaking rule | April 3, 2026 at 18:00:26 UTC |
Why the CRS Cut-off Is 761
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System score. Because this round invited only provincial nominees, the cut-off score sits higher than general rounds.
The 761 figure reflects that 600-point addition on top of the candidate's base score. It does not mean applicants need a 761 base score to qualify.
How PNP Rounds Work
Express Entry holds three round types: general, program-specific, and category-based rounds. This invitation round was a program-specific round limited to candidates eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program.
To enter this stream, candidates must receive a nomination from a province or territory. They then accept the nomination in their profile to claim the 600 points.
What the Tie-Breaking Rule Means
Multiple candidates often reach the lowest cut-off score. When this happens, profile submission dates determine who receives an invitation.
Candidates with a score of 761 were invited if they submitted their profile before April 3, 2026 at 18:00:26 UTC. Candidates who submitted after that timestamp did not receive an invitation.
What Happens Next for Invited Candidates
The 792 candidates who received an Invitation to Apply now have a limited window to act. They must submit a complete permanent residence application before the official deadline.
What This Data Tells Us
The 761 continues the climb that began in October. After 697 in August and 725 in September, PNP cut-offs have moved up more than 60 points in two months, and the direction tracks which nominations reached the pool rather than any change in federal standards.
Round size is the part worth noticing. At 792 invitations this is the largest PNP round since June, so a deeper draw still landed at a higher score. The provinces are nominating more candidates, and those candidates carry stronger base scores.
Read with the 600 nomination points removed, the number describes a base score near 161. That remains far below what any CEC round required this year, which is why the two figures cannot be compared.
The tie-breaking timestamp of April 3, 2026 is the longest gap in any recent PNP round. Candidates at exactly 761 needed a profile almost seven months old, which points to a crowded band at that score.
For candidates without a nomination, the swing from 697 to 761 across three rounds makes the same point each time. The number tracks provincial supply, and nothing a candidate does in the general pool influences it.
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.
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