Canada just held another Express Entry draw! On January 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 681 candidates to apply for permanent residence — but this time it was a Provincial Nominee Program-only round.

✨ Because provincial nominations add 600 extra points to a candidate’s score, the minimum score needed this round was 746. That sounds high, but when you account for those nomination bonus points, it really means the core score needed (before the 600 points) was about 146 or more.

📊 This draw was the second PNP Express Entry draw of the year and the third overall so far in 2026 — following other rounds earlier this month.

📌 What’s interesting this year is how much the Express Entry system is leaning on province-nomination routes. If you’re aiming for Canada PR, aligning your profile with a province’s needs (and getting that nomination) is turning into one of the fastest ways to get invited.