IRCC conducted Express Entry round #448 on 13 October 2026, issuing 752 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively to candidates who already held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) certificate. Because provincial nomination adds 600 points, the draw’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off landed at 772—the highest score seen in a PNP-only round this year. The tie-breaking rule applied to profiles submitted before 17 August 2026 at 10:13 a.m. ET, meaning candidates with 772 points who entered the pool after that timestamp did not receive an ITA. The selection brings 2026 PNP invitations to 52,183 across 17 draws, underlining provinces’ growing role in targeting talent for regional labour shortages. For nominees already working in Canada on employer-specific permits, an ITA paves the way to apply for permanent residence via electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). Most provinces issue work-permit support letters, allowing candidates to extend status while waiting for a PR decision—currently about seven months for PNP streams. Employers should note that PNP candidates are obliged to stay in the nominating province “with the intention to reside” until they become permanent residents; transferring staff across provincial lines before landing could jeopardize applications. Mobility teams must therefore align relocation timelines with provincial settlement commitments. IRCC’s next general or category-based draw could arrive within two weeks, based on recent cadence. Candidates hoping to boost scores ahead of year-end should explore language-test retakes, educational-credential assessments and additional provincial streams still open in Q4.
Source: IRCC.com
