Canada’s Express Entry PNP Draw #445 invited 733 candidates to apply for permanent residence, with the minimum CRS score set at 725. The latest PNP-focused draw provides an important update for candidates who are pursuing permanent residence through a provincial nomination.
What Happened in Express Entry Draw #445?
On September 28, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada held Express Entry draw #445. The draw was for Provincial Nominee Program candidates. IRCC issued 733 Invitations to Apply. The CRS cut-off was 725 points.
That is nine points lower than the previous PNP targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule was September 17, 2026, at 01:36:17 UTC. In simple terms, candidates who tied at the cut-off were ranked by when they submitted their profile.
As of September 27, 229,904 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. Provincial nominees make up only a small slice of that crowd. Yet they are among the most successful.
Why Is the PNP Cut-off Score So High?
A cut-off of 725 looks huge next to a CEC cut-off near 518. There is a simple reason. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to an Express Entry profile. That is the single largest boost in the whole system.
Do the arithmetic. If 600 of those 725 points come from the nomination, the remaining 125 points come from factors like age, education, language and work experience. So a nominee needed only a modest base score to reach this cut-off.
This is why provinces matter so much. They can lift a candidate from the middle of the pool to the very top. The provincial selection process rewards people whose skills match local labour needs.
Source: Express Entry Draw #445 Update
How Many Provincial Nominees Has Canada Invited in 2026?
This was the 19th PNP targeted draw of 2026. Provincial nominees have now received 9,270 invitations this year. That works out to about 488 invitations per PNP draw on average, so this round of 733 was larger than the yearly average.
Across all draw types, IRCC has issued 129,715 Express Entry invitations in 57 draws this year. Provincial nominees account for roughly seven percent of that total. It is a focused group, and it is a group that Canada clearly values.
Behind each number is a real person with a job, a family and a plan. Provinces nominate people they believe will stay, work and build communities. That is the heart of the program.
Figure 2. The PNP cut-off dipped nine points, and provincial nominees received 9,270 of 129,715 invitations in 2026.
What Does a Nine Point Drop Signal?
Very little should worry you. The previous PNP draw had a cut-off of 734. This one came in at 725. Small swings happen as draw sizes and pool composition change.
What matters more is the pattern. PNP draws have continued regularly all year. That is a positive sign for candidates who are working toward a nomination. Canada is using provincial nominations as a reliable pathway to permanent residence.
Our team reads this draw as steady and healthy. It is not a signal to rush. It is a signal to prepare.
How Does a Provincial Nomination Work with Express Entry?
The process has clear steps. First, you create an Express Entry profile. Then you apply to a province through an Express Entry linked stream that suits your profile. If the province nominates you, you accept the nomination in your profile. Your CRS score then rises by 600 points.
After that, IRCC can invite you in a PNP targeted draw. Once you receive an invitation to apply, you have a limited time to submit your permanent residence application. Complete documents matter, so prepare them early.
Each province has its own streams, priorities and rules. Some focus on healthcare, others on trades, technology or agriculture. Choosing the right province is often the most important decision.
Case Study: A Licensed Practical Nurse in Nova Scotia
Illustrative scenario, anonymized. A 33 year old licensed practical nurse in Nova Scotia held a CRS score of 431. That was far below any general draw cut-off of that time. She had a valid work permit, a local job and strong English scores.
Her ImmigCanada plan focused on the provincial route. First, we matched her profile to a healthcare aligned provincial stream. Second, we prepared her documents and job details carefully. Third, we kept her Express Entry profile active and accurate. Within about four months she received a nomination. Her score rose to 1,031, and she was invited in the next PNP draw.
The takeaway is powerful. A modest CRS score is not the end of the road. The right province can change everything.
What Should Candidates Do After This Draw?
If you already hold a nomination, keep your profile active and your documents ready. Check that your passport, language test results and police certificates are valid. Be ready to act quickly if you receive an invitation.
If you do not yet have a nomination, research provinces that match your occupation and experience. Strengthen your profile first. Then choose the streams that fit you best.
Finally, keep your CRS score as high as possible, even with a nomination in mind. Language tests, French skills and work experience still help. A strong base profile gives you more options.
Why PNP Remains a Smart Pathway
The team at ImmigCanada, led by Eivy Joy Quito (RCIC), sees provincial nominations as one of Canada’s most practical immigration tools. Provinces know their own labour markets best. Nominees fill real jobs and strengthen local economies.
Our advice is to think long term. A nomination is a commitment to live and work in that province. Choose one where you can see your future. Prepare honest, well organised applications. Speak with a regulated professional before submitting.
Canada rewards people who plan carefully and contribute to their communities. Provincial nominees are a shining example of that promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PNP draw held on September 28, 2026 had a CRS cut-off of 725 points.
IRCC issued 733 Invitations to Apply to Provincial Nominee Program candidates.
An Express Entry linked provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points.
This was the 19th PNP targeted draw of 2026, with 9,270 invitations to provincial nominees so far.
September 17, 2026 at 01:36:17 UTC. Candidates tied at the cut-off were ranked by profile submission time.
As of September 27, 2026, there were 229,904 registered profiles.
Yes. Provinces select candidates based on their own criteria, and a nomination can lift a modest score to the top of the pool.
Stay Updated with ImmigCanada
Wondering which province suits your profile? Book a Consultation with Eivy Joy Quito (RCIC) and get a personalised PNP strategy. Explore our Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry service pages for step by step support.