Just one day before the latest CEC round, IRCC reopened Express Entry after a three-week pause by inviting 955 provincial nominees on June 22. The invitations—confirmed by multiple provincial immigration departments and officially published on June 23—set two 2026 records: the biggest invitation total for a PNP-only draw and the lowest PNP cut-off (730) of the year. The sudden spike reverses a five-draw trend of shrinking invitation numbers and rising CRS requirements for provincial nominees. Analysts attribute the change to a coordinated release of nomination certificates from Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, all of which pushed candidates into the Express Entry pool in mid-June after clearing their own backlogs.
![Largest PNP draw of 2026: IRCC issues 955 invitations with CRS cut-off plummeting to 730]()
Whether you’re a newly invited provincial nominee or an employer assisting staff, VisaHQ can help you gather the right supporting documents, schedule biometrics, and monitor processing times through its user-friendly portal. Their Canada-focused team outlines each step—from police checks to work permits—and can even expedite travel visas for business trips while your permanent residence file is in the queue. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
Because every provincial nomination is worth an automatic 600 CRS points, the lowest invited candidate’s ‘base’ score was roughly 130—evidence that provinces are prioritising employer-driven streams even for applicants with modest human-capital factors. For employers that rely on PNP pathways, the draw is a welcome development. Many companies had grown anxious after May’s PNP cut-off climbed to an eye-watering 805, effectively sidelining nominees who lacked high language scores or advanced degrees. A cut-off of 730 dramatically widens the window of opportunity just as summer hiring ramps up. The draw also suggests IRCC remains committed to category-based selection as its main tool for meeting 2026 admissions targets while managing application inventories. Observers now expect a French-language or STEM occupation round to follow before month-end, maintaining the rapid-fire pace of invitations seen this week. Candidates holding fresh nomination certificates but sitting below the 730 line are advised to keep their documents—especially police clearances and medical exams—current, as IRCC may need additional PNP rounds to absorb the backlog created by provincial activity.
Whether you’re a newly invited provincial nominee or an employer assisting staff, VisaHQ can help you gather the right supporting documents, schedule biometrics, and monitor processing times through its user-friendly portal. Their Canada-focused team outlines each step—from police checks to work permits—and can even expedite travel visas for business trips while your permanent residence file is in the queue. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/canada/
Because every provincial nomination is worth an automatic 600 CRS points, the lowest invited candidate’s ‘base’ score was roughly 130—evidence that provinces are prioritising employer-driven streams even for applicants with modest human-capital factors. For employers that rely on PNP pathways, the draw is a welcome development. Many companies had grown anxious after May’s PNP cut-off climbed to an eye-watering 805, effectively sidelining nominees who lacked high language scores or advanced degrees. A cut-off of 730 dramatically widens the window of opportunity just as summer hiring ramps up. The draw also suggests IRCC remains committed to category-based selection as its main tool for meeting 2026 admissions targets while managing application inventories. Observers now expect a French-language or STEM occupation round to follow before month-end, maintaining the rapid-fire pace of invitations seen this week. Candidates holding fresh nomination certificates but sitting below the 730 line are advised to keep their documents—especially police clearances and medical exams—current, as IRCC may need additional PNP rounds to absorb the backlog created by provincial activity.
