Provincial Nominee Program Update — October 5, 2026
Monday, October 5, 2026
As of March 30, 2026, provinces and territories are now solely responsible for assessing applicants' ability to become economically established and their intent to reside in the nominating province — a valid nomination certificate now serves as sufficient proof, reducing IRCC's role in these evaluations.
Ontario opened its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream expression of interest (EOI) portal on August 4, 2026, covering job offers in all NOC TEER categories and including a pathway for self-employed physicians.
Recent PNP-linked Express Entry draws show CRS cut-off scores ranging from 697 to 734, with 562–733 invitations issued per draw (August 31, September 14, and September 28, 2026).
What You Should Do
- If you hold a valid provincial nomination certificate issued on or after March 30, 2026, confirm with your province that the economic establishment and intent-to-reside assessments are documented in your nomination file — this replaces a separate IRCC review step.
- If you have a job offer in Ontario in any NOC TEER category (or are a self-employed physician), visit ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program to review Ontario Workforce Priority Stream eligibility criteria and submit an expression of interest through the OINP portal, which opened August 4, 2026.
- If your CRS score is at or above 697, check your Express Entry profile dashboard at canada.ca/express-entry to ensure your profile is active and up to date, as PNP-linked draws have recently cut off between 697 and 734.
- If you are in Canada on a work permit and have applied through Express Entry, check your eligibility for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/extend/bridging-open-work-permit.html to maintain work authorization while your PR application is in progress.
Sources
Topics Covered
PNP Express Entry Draw Trends: Three PNP-linked Express Entry draws were held between August 31 and September 28, 2026, with CRS cut-offs ranging from 697 to 734 and between 562 and 733 invitations issued per draw.
PNP Federal-Provincial Authority Transfer: As of March 30, 2026, provinces and territories are solely responsible for assessing economic establishment and intent to reside, with a valid nomination certificate now serving as sufficient proof for IRCC. IRCC's role in PNP adjudication has been formally reduced.
Category-Based Selection System: The October 1, 2026 Trades category draw invited 3,500 candidates at a CRS cut-off of 476, continuing Canada's use of category-based draws to target specific occupational groups outside of general pool draws.
More Provincial Nominee Program Updates
Provincial Nominee Program Update — October 1, 2026
Oct 1, 2026
Provincial Nominee Program Update — September 24, 2026
Sep 24, 2026
Provincial Nominee Program Update — September 17, 2026
Sep 17, 2026
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