Express Entry candidates with provincial nominations received 733 invitations to apply for permanent residence in the latest draw on September 28, 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada set the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score at 725 for this Provincial Nominee Program round.
The draw was the second PNP-specific selection in September.
The previous round on September 14 issued 576 invitations with a CRS cutoff of 734.
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Express Entry draw results for September 28
The September 28 round selected candidates who held valid provincial nominations linked to the Provincial Nominee Program process.
| Draw detail | September 28, 2026 result |
|---|---|
| Program | Provincial Nominee Program |
| Invitations issued | 733 |
| Lowest CRS score | 725 |
| Tie-breaking profile date | Submitted before 1:36 a.m. UTC on September 17, 2026 |
| Previous PNP draw | 576 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 734 |
The invitation total was 157 higher than the September 14 draw, representing an increase of about 27 per cent.
It was also the largest PNP round since June 22, when IRCC issued 955 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 730.
According to the supplied draw reporting, the September 28 round brought the number of Express Entry invitation rounds in 2026 to 57 and the year-to-date invitation total across categories to approximately 129,715.
Why the CRS cutoff was 725
The CRS threshold in a PNP draw cannot be compared directly with cutoffs in Canadian Experience Class or category-based rounds.
A candidate whose provincial nomination is accepted receives 600 additional CRS points under IRCC’s Express Entry instructions.
As a result, a total score of 725 can correspond to a base CRS score of about 125 before the nomination points are added.
The nomination does not remove the other requirements of the immigration process.
Candidates must still remain eligible for the relevant Express Entry program and the provincial stream, and they must maintain the conditions connected to their nomination.
The cutoff also reflects the number of candidates in the pool and the number of invitations IRCC chooses to issue.
A larger draw can result in a lower threshold, but nomination volume alone does not determine the final score.
What invited candidates should do next
Invited candidates must submit a complete permanent residence application through their IRCC account within 60 calendar days of receiving the invitation.
IRCC states that an invitation expires if the candidate does not apply within the deadline.
The profile is then removed from the pool, and the candidate must create a new Express Entry profile to be considered in a future round.
Applicants should begin collecting documents immediately, including valid language-test results, proof of qualifying work experience, police certificates and medical examination documents.
An Educational Credential Assessment may be needed when foreign education is being used for Federal Skilled Worker eligibility or to claim CRS points for education completed outside Canada.
- Check that the provincial nomination remains valid.
- Review the CRS score and confirm that personal circumstances have not changed.
- Gather police certificates for the required countries and periods of residence.
- Complete the medical examination and biometrics steps when instructed.
- Submit the application before the 60-day deadline.
Application fees and processing expectations
For applications received on or after April 30, 2026, IRCC’s updated permanent residence fee notice lists a $990 processing fee for the principal applicant under the Provincial Nominee Program and a $600 right of permanent residence fee.
Together, those two fees total $1,590 for a principal applicant, before biometrics and third-party costs.
Additional expenses can include biometrics, medical examinations, language testing, police certificates and credential assessments.
The final amount depends on the applicant’s family composition and the documents required under the permanent residence fee schedule.
IRCC’s Express Entry service standard is six months, although actual processing can vary.
Application completeness, background checks, program demand, annual admissions targets and requests for additional information may affect the timeline.
Applicants in Canada whose work permits are close to expiring may also wish to review whether they qualify for a bridging open work permit.
Eligibility depends on factors including the applicant’s location, principal-applicant status, receipt of an acknowledgement of receipt and the conditions attached to the nomination.
What the September draw means for PNP candidates
The September 28 result continues the pattern of PNP-focused draws occurring roughly two weeks apart during the latter part of 2026.
For candidates who already hold an Express Entry-aligned nomination, the result confirms that a CRS score in the mid-700s remained competitive in this round.
People still seeking a nomination should monitor the official immigration pages for the province or territory where they genuinely intend to live and work.
Streams can change their intake windows, occupation priorities, eligibility rules and available nomination spaces.
Receiving an invitation is not the same as receiving permanent residence.
IRCC still assesses program eligibility, admissibility and the completeness and accuracy of the final application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations were issued in the September 28 Express Entry draw?
IRCC issued 733 invitations to apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program stream.
What was the CRS cutoff in the September 28 PNP draw?
The lowest CRS score selected was 725. Candidates at the cutoff also had to meet the draw’s tie-breaking rule.
Why are PNP Express Entry cutoffs usually above 700 points?
Candidates with an accepted provincial nomination receive 600 additional CRS points, which raises their total score substantially.
How long do invited candidates have to submit an application?
Candidates have 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application after receiving an invitation.
How much are the main permanent residence fees for a PNP applicant in 2026?
For applications received on or after April 30, 2026, the principal applicant processing fee is $990 and the right of permanent residence fee is $600, for a combined $1,590 before other costs.
Fact-Checked: The draw figures and timeline were checked against the supplied Immigration News Canada report, while the 60-day deadline, 600-point nomination bonus, application process and 2026 fee amounts were checked against IRCC information.
Disclaimer: Immigration outcomes depend on individual eligibility, admissibility, provincial nomination conditions and the documents submitted.