Ottawa, April 13, 2026 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted Express Entry draw #409 , issuing 324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) .
| Draw Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Draw Number | #409 |
| Date and time | April 13, 2026 at 10:51:11 UTC |
| Program | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Number of ITAs issued | 324 |
| Minimum CRS score | 786 |
| Tie-breaking rule | November 19, 2025 at 18:53:59 UTC |
| Invitation period | April 13, 2026 to April 14, 2026 |
Key takeaway: This was a PNP-only draw, which typically requires higher CRS scores because PNP nominees receive an automatic 600 additional points on top of their base CRS score. The 786 minimum reflects that most invited candidates had a provincial nomination.
On This Page
- Draw at a Glance: PNP-Only Round
- Understanding the High CRS Score (786)
- Tie-Breaking Rule Explained
- Ministerial Instructions: Legal Framework
- Year-to-Date Express Entry Draw Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
Draw at a Glance: PNP-Only Draw
This draw was exclusively for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) . Under the Express Entry system, PNP candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 CRS points , which virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply in a PNP-specific draw.
Draw Results Comparison
| Metric | This Draw (#409) | Typical PNP Draw Range |
|---|---|---|
| ITAs issued | 324 | 300-1,000 |
| Minimum CRS | 786 | 680-800 |
| Tie-break date | Nov 19, 2025 | Varies |
The 324 invitations issued in this draw is on the lower side compared to some previous PNP draws, which have seen over 1,000 invitations. However, PNP draw sizes vary based on provincial nomination quotas and IRCC's annual targets.
Understanding the High CRS Score (786)
For candidates unfamiliar with the Express Entry system, a CRS score of 786 may seem extremely high. The explanation lies in how PNP nominations affect CRS scores.
How PNP Affects CRS Scores
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Base CRS score (age, education, work experience, language) | Up to 600 |
| Provincial nomination | +600 |
| Total CRS with nomination | Base + 600 |
A candidate with a base CRS score of 186 would reach 786 after receiving a provincial nomination (186 + 600 = 786).
What This Means
| Candidate Profile | Base CRS | + Nomination | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-skilled worker | 150 | +600 | 750 |
| Moderate candidate | 186 | +600 | 786 (cutoff) |
| Strong candidate | 300 | +600 | 900 |
Conclusion: Candidates invited in this draw likely had base CRS scores ranging from approximately 186 to 400 , with the provincial nomination pushing them over the 786 threshold.
Tie-Breaking Rule Explained
The tie-breaking rule for this draw is: November 19, 2025 at 18:53:59 UTC
What This Means
| Scenario | Result |
|---|---|
| You have a CRS score above 786 | Invited regardless of profile submission date |
| You have a CRS score of exactly 786 | Invited only if you submitted your profile before November 19, 2025 at 18:53:59 UTC |
| You have a CRS score of exactly 786 but submitted profile after the tie-break date | Not invited in this draw |
| You have a CRS score below 786 | Not invited |
The tie-breaking rule ensures that when multiple candidates have the same CRS score, those who submitted their profiles earlier receive priority.
Ministerial Instructions: Legal Framework
The draw was conducted under Ministerial Instructions signed by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab , Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on April 13, 2026.
Legal Authority
The instructions are issued under:
- Subparagraph 10.3(1)(h.1)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
- Paragraphs 10.3(1)(i) and (j) of IRPA
Key Provisions of the Instructions
| Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grouping | Eligible foreign nationals who qualify under the Express Entry class (subsection 2(d)) |
| Invitation period | April 13, 2026 to April 14, 2026 |
| Number of invitations | 324 |
| Required rank | Among the first 324 candidates in the group ranking |
The instructions define an "eligible foreign national" as someone whose expression of interest is in the Express Entry pool, and "invitation" as defined in the original Express Entry Instructions of December 1, 2014.
Year-to-Date Express Entry Draw Summary (2026)
Here is a summary of Express Entry draws conducted in 2026 leading up to draw #409.
| Draw # | Date | Program | ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #408 | April 2, 2026 | Trades Occupations | 3,000 | 477 |
| #407 | March 31, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,250 | Not specified |
| #406 | March 30, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | Not specified |
| #405 | March 17, 2026 | General / CEC | ~1,500 | ~520 |
| #404 | March 10, 2026 | PNP | ~700 | ~730 |
| #403 | March 3, 2026 | General / CEC | ~1,200 | ~510 |
| #402 | February 25, 2026 | PNP | ~600 | ~720 |
| #401 | February 18, 2026 | French Language | ~1,500 | ~420 |
| #400 | February 11, 2026 | General / CEC | ~1,000 | ~505 |
| #399 | February 4, 2026 | Healthcare | ~2,000 | ~430 |
| #398 | January 28, 2026 | PNP | ~500 | ~710 |
| #397 | January 21, 2026 | General / CEC | ~1,300 | ~515 |
| #396 | January 14, 2026 | PNP | ~400 | ~700 |
| #395 | January 7, 2026 | General / CEC | ~1,100 | ~508 |
Note: Exact numbers for some draws are based on unofficial reporting. Official figures are available on the IRCC website.
2026 Category-Based Selection Categories
For 2026, IRCC has announced the following priority categories for category-based draws:
- Medical doctors with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Transport occupations
- Skilled military recruits
- French-language proficiency
- Health care and social services
- Education occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the CRS score so high (786) for a PNP draw?
PNP candidates receive an automatic 600 additional points for their provincial nomination. A candidate with a base CRS score of 186 reaches 786 after nomination. The high score does not reflect exceptional qualifications – it reflects the nomination bonus.
How can I get a provincial nomination?
Each province has its own PNP streams. Generally, you need:
- A job offer from an employer in that province, OR
- Skills and experience in an occupation in demand in that province, OR
- A connection to the province (education, family, etc.)
Once nominated through a PNP stream that is aligned with Express Entry, you receive 600 additional CRS points.
What is the tie-breaking rule?
When multiple candidates have the same CRS score, IRCC uses the date and time of profile submission to break ties. Candidates with earlier submission dates receive priority.
How often does IRCC conduct PNP draws?
PNP draws typically occur every 1-3 weeks, alternating with general draws and category-based draws. IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule.
I have a CRS score below 786 – can I still be invited?
Yes, in a general draw or category-based draw. PNP draws have high CRS scores due to the 600-point nomination bonus. General draws typically have minimum CRS scores between 490 and 550.
How do I check if I was invited?
Log into your IRCC secure account. If you received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will see a message in your account. You have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
What is the invitation period?
According to the Ministerial Instructions, invitations for this draw can be issued from April 13, 2026 to April 14, 2026. All 324 invitations will be issued within this timeframe.
Official Sources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| IRCC Express Entry draws | canada.ca/immigration/express-entry/draws |
| Ministerial Instructions | Canada Gazette |
| Provincial Nominee Program | canada.ca/immigration/pnp |
Bottom Line
Express Entry draw #409 on April 13, 2026, issued 324 ITAs to PNP candidates with a minimum CRS score of 786.
Key takeaways:
| For PNP Candidates | For Other Express Entry Candidates |
|---|---|
| ✅ If you have a provincial nomination and CRS ≥ 786, check your account | ✅ PNP draws do not affect general draw candidates |
| ✅ Tie-break rule: Nov 19, 2025 for exact 786 scores | ✅ General draws typically have much lower CRS (490-550) |
| ✅ 60 days to submit PR application if invited | ✅ Consider improving CRS or seeking provincial nomination |
What's next: IRCC is expected to continue conducting regular draws, including general draws and category-based draws targeting healthcare, trades, French language, and other priority sectors.