Latest Express Entry Draw #442: IRCC Issues 576 ITAs in PNP Draw with CRS 734

Canada has held another Express Entry draw in September 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) inviting 576 candidates to apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The latest Express Entry draw #442 was held on September 14, 2026, and required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 734. The result highlights the continued importance of provincial nomination for candidates whose CRS scores may not be competitive in other Express Entry streams.

Latest Express Entry Draw #442: Key Details

Here are the main results from Express Entry Draw #442:

Detail	Latest Draw
Draw number	442
Date	September 14, 2026
Draw type	Provincial Nominee Program
ITAs issued	576
Minimum CRS score	734
Tie-breaking timestamp	August 29, 2026 at 21:39:50 UTC

The tie-breaking rule is used when multiple candidates have the same CRS score at the cut-off. In such cases, profiles submitted before the specified date and time are prioritized.

IRCC explains that candidates are ranked through the CRS and that different types of Express Entry rounds can have different eligibility requirements and cut-off scores.

What Does the September 14 PNP Express Entry Draw Mean?

The latest Express Entry draw is particularly important for candidates who have obtained, or are pursuing, a provincial or territorial nomination.

A nomination through an Express Entry-linked PNP can provide 600 additional CRS points. That additional score can dramatically change a candidate’s position in the Express Entry pool and is one reason PNP draw cut-offs are generally much higher than those seen in several category-based draws.

For example, a candidate with a CRS score of 134 before nomination could reach 734 after receiving the 600-point nomination boost.

This does not mean every candidate with a CRS score of 134 would qualify for a PNP. Candidates must first meet the requirements of the relevant provincial or territorial stream and the applicable Express Entry program.

CRS 734 Is Not a General Express Entry Cut-Off

One important point applicants should understand is that 734 is not the CRS score required for all Express Entry candidates.

The CRS cut-off is determined separately for each round. IRCC can conduct:

• General rounds
• Program-specific rounds
• Category-based rounds

In a PNP-specific round, IRCC invites eligible candidates who have been nominated by a province or territory.

By contrast, category-based selection can target candidates who meet specific economic or labour-market criteria. IRCC currently lists categories including French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers, researchers and skilled military recruits.

This means a candidate should not compare a PNP score directly with a French-language, healthcare, CEC or other category-based draw without considering the type of round.

Latest Express Entry Draw Compared With the Previous PNP Draw

The September 14 draw was the second PNP draw in relatively close succession.

Draw	Date	ITAs	CRS Cut-Off
#442	September 14, 2026	576	734
#438	August 31, 2026	562	697
#435	August 17, 2026	442	760

Compared with the August 31 PNP draw, the latest round issued 14 more invitations, while the CRS cut-off increased by 37 points.

The increase does not necessarily mean that every PNP candidate now needs a substantially higher underlying CRS score. The 600-point provincial nomination component is a major factor in these draws, while the final cut-off also depends on the candidates available in the pool and the number of invitations issued.

Express Entry Draws Have Become More Targeted in 2026

The latest draw also reflects the broader direction of Canada’s Express Entry system in 2026.

Rather than relying exclusively on broad, all-program rounds, IRCC has been using a combination of program-specific and category-based invitations.

For category-based selection, IRCC identifies candidates who meet the requirements of a designated category and then ranks eligible candidates according to their CRS scores.

This approach means two candidates with similar profiles can have very different immigration prospects depending on their:

• Provincial nomination status
• Canadian work experience
• Occupation
• French-language ability
• Education
• Other CRS factors

For applicants planning their Canadian immigration strategy, simply checking the latest overall CRS cut-off is therefore not enough.

How Many Express Entry ITAs Have Been Issued in 2026?

According to the supplied 2026 Express Entry draw data, IRCC has conducted 54 draws in 2026 and issued a combined 126,732 Invitations to Apply by September 2026.

This makes 2026 a particularly active year for Express Entry invitations.

The draw pattern has also included several large category-based rounds. For example, the supplied data shows major French-language draws as well as healthcare, Canadian Experience Class and other targeted rounds.

The number of invitations issued in one draw, however, should not be interpreted as a guarantee that future rounds will maintain the same volume. IRCC determines the size and type of each invitation round based on its immigration objectives and the candidates in the pool.

What Does the Latest Draw Mean for Candidates With Lower CRS Scores?

Candidates below the latest PNP cut-off should not automatically conclude that they have no pathway through Express Entry.

A PNP nomination can add 600 CRS points, while other factors can also influence a candidate’s ranking.

IRCC’s CRS system considers factors including age, education, official language proficiency, Canadian work experience, spouse or partner factors, skill transferability and additional factors.

Candidates can therefore review whether they can improve their profile through legitimate changes such as:

• Retaking a language test to achieve a higher result
• Gaining additional eligible Canadian work experience
• Improving education credentials where applicable
• Exploring French-language opportunities
• Reviewing provincial nominee programs
• Checking eligibility for an Express Entry category
• Ensuring their profile accurately reflects their current circumstances

Importantly, job offers no longer provide CRS points under the current CRS system. IRCC removed job-offer CRS points on March 25, 2025, although a job offer may still matter for eligibility under certain programs or streams.

What Should PNP Candidates Do After Receiving a Nomination?

Candidates who receive an Express Entry-linked provincial nomination must follow the instructions in their IRCC account.

Once a province or territory confirms the nomination, the candidate receives a message asking them to accept or reject it. Candidates generally have 30 calendar days to respond.

After accepting the nomination, the candidate receives the additional 600 CRS points, which can significantly improve their ranking in the pool.

A nomination does not itself mean permanent residence has been approved. The candidate must still receive an ITA and submit a complete permanent residence application that meets federal requirements.

What Should You Do If Your CRS Score Is Below 734?

The latest PNP draw should be viewed in context.

A CRS score of 734 is primarily relevant to this particular PNP round. Candidates without a provincial nomination should look at the draw types for which they may actually qualify rather than treating the PNP cut-off as the benchmark for all Express Entry applicants.

If your CRS score is below recent CEC or category-based cut-offs, consider whether your profile could qualify for another category or a provincial pathway.

It is also important to keep your Express Entry profile accurate and up to date. Changes to work experience, education, language results, marital status or other relevant information can affect your CRS score and eligibility.

What Happens After an Express Entry ITA?

Receiving an Invitation to Apply is an important step, but it is not the final approval for permanent residence.

IRCC provides invited candidates with a 60-day period to submit their permanent residence application. Category-based selection guidance confirms that candidates who receive an ITA must submit their application within this period.

Applicants should therefore have their supporting documentation ready, including documents related to identity, education, language testing, work experience, police certificates and other requirements applicable to their application.

Accuracy is especially important because IRCC assesses the application against the information provided in the Express Entry profile.

The latest Express Entry draw #442 shows that Canada’s immigration system continues to rely heavily on targeted invitation rounds.

The September 14 PNP draw issued 576 ITAs with a CRS cut-off of 734, with the high score largely reflecting the 600-point advantage associated with a provincial nomination.

For candidates without a nomination, the key takeaway is not to treat 734 as the universal CRS target. Instead, applicants should identify the Express Entry program or category they are most likely to qualify for and evaluate their options based on the relevant draw trends.

For the most reliable information, applicants should verify eligibility, nomination requirements and application instructions through official IRCC and provincial or territorial government sources before taking action.

FAQs About the Latest Express Entry Draw #442