Posted by: Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308 | VG Immigration Services Canada
Published: May 7, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET
April 2026: 28,125 PR Invitations Across Canada
Canada’s federal and provincial immigration systems combined to issue more than 28,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence in April 2026 alone. The corrected working total reaches 28,125 ITAs across Express Entry and six provincial/territorial systems — making April one of the most active single months for invitations so far in 2026.
The lead is held by Express Entry (15,797 ITAs across 7 draws), followed by Ontario’s OINP (7,628), Quebec’s Arrima (2,555), and Alberta’s AAIP (866+). The numbers tell a clear story: Express Entry remains Canada’s volume engine, but provincial nominee programs are quietly issuing close to half of all invitations on a monthly basis.
Want to Be in Next Month’s PR Draws?
28,125 ITAs went out in April. We help you build a profile that targets the next 28,000+ this month.
Key Highlights — April 2026 PR Invitations
- Total April invitations: 28,125
- Federal Express Entry: 15,797 ITAs across 7 draws (French, CEC, PNP, Trades)
- Ontario OINP: 7,628 ITAs across 5 streams in 10+ targeted draws
- Quebec Arrima: 2,555 ITAs across 4 PSTQ streams
- Alberta AAIP: 866+ ITAs across 9 draws
- British Columbia BC PNP: 484 ITAs in one high-economic-impact draw
- Manitoba MPNP: 340 LAAs across 2 EOI draws
- Atlantic Canada (NL, NB, PEI): 455 invitations
- Year-to-Date 2026 Express Entry total: 65,000+ ITAs
Express Entry — 15,797 ITAs Across 7 April Draws
- April 2: Trades — 3,000 ITAs at CRS 477
- April 13: PNP — 324 ITAs at CRS 786
- April 14: CEC — 2,000 ITAs at CRS 515
- April 15: French-Language — 4,000 ITAs at CRS 419
- April 27: PNP — 473 ITAs at CRS 795
- April 28: CEC — 2,000 ITAs at CRS 514
- April 29: French-Language — 4,000 ITAs at CRS 400
The pattern: French-language draws produced the largest April volume (8,000 ITAs combined), reflecting Canada’s 9% Francophone admissions target outside Quebec. CEC volumes are notably reduced (4,000 total vs. 4,000 in a single March draw), and PNP CRS scores remain in the 786-795 range — reflecting the standard +600 nomination boost.
Ontario OINP — 7,628 ITAs Across 5 Streams
OINP issued the second-highest April volume after Express Entry. The breakdown by stream:
- Employer Job Offer: International Student — 2,498
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker — 2,406
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills — 1,806
- Masters Graduate — 674
- PhD Graduate — 244
OINP draw themes in April:
- April 1: Mining sector — 759 invitations
- April 8: Healthcare, ECE, Francophones, Physicians, REDI — 1,828 invitations (with healthcare/ECE invited at minimum scores as low as 20 points)
- April 15: In-Demand Skills — 1,334 invitations
- April 22: Masters and PhD Graduates — 918 invitations
- April 23: Four regional draws — 2,102 invitations
- April 30: GTA draws — 997 invitations
Ontario’s 2026 nomination allocation is 14,119 spots — a 31% increase over 2025.
Quebec Arrima — 2,555 ITAs Across 4 PSTQ Streams
- Stream 1: Highly Qualified Skills — 983 ITAs (TEER 0-2, Quebec diploma holders, French level 7+)
- Stream 2: Intermediate/Manual Skills — 506 ITAs (TEER 3-5, 24+ months experience, French level 5+)
- Stream 3: Regulated Professions — 1,058 ITAs (engineers, nurses, physicians, teachers, trades)
- Stream 4: Exceptional Talent — 8 ITAs
Extraction date: April 27, 2026, at 6 a.m.
Alberta AAIP — 866+ ITAs Across 9 Draws
- Apr 8: AE Accelerated Tech — 146 ITAs at minimum score 59
- Apr 9: Rural Renewal — 74 ITAs at minimum score 50
- Apr 10: Alberta Opportunity — 447 ITAs at minimum score 65
- Apr 13: Dedicated Health Care (EE) — 62 ITAs at minimum score 59
- Apr 14: AE Priority Sectors: Construction/Trades — 50 ITAs at minimum score 60
- Apr 15: AE Priority Sectors: Health Care — 50 ITAs at minimum score 55
- Apr 16: Dedicated Health Care (non-EE) — 37 ITAs at minimum score 46
- Apr 23: AE Law Enforcement — <10 ITAs at minimum score 58
- Apr 27: Tourism & Hospitality — 98 ITAs at minimum score 71
British Columbia BC PNP — 484 ITAs
One large April 22 draw split into two pools:
- 252 candidates with a job offer of $62/hour and $125,000/year minimum, NOC TEER 0/1/2/3
- 232 candidates with minimum SIRS score 138
Manitoba MPNP — 340 LAAs Across 2 Draws
- EOI Draw 268 (April 9): 32 LAAs (Skilled Worker Stream)
- EOI Draw 269 (April 23): 308 LAAs
- 192 LAAs to skilled workers in Manitoba health occupations
- 116 LAAs to Skilled Worker Stream subcategories: 61 Employer Services, 14 Ethnocultural, 15 Francophone, 14 Regional Communities, 12 Temporary Public Policy
- 105 of 308 candidates declared a valid Express Entry profile
Atlantic Canada — 455 ITAs Across 3 Provinces
- Newfoundland and Labrador — 210 invitations (April 13, NLPNP and AIP combined)
- New Brunswick — 118 invitations (April 1, AIP)
- Prince Edward Island — 127 invitations (April 16, Labour and Express Entry)
Express Entry, OINP, AAIP, MPNP — Get the Right Strategy
Each program has different rules. We help you submit to the right one(s) for your profile.
What These Numbers Tell Us About 2026
French is doing the heavy CEC lifting
April’s two French draws (8,000 combined) were larger than April’s two CEC draws (4,000 combined). IRCC is using French-language proficiency to hit volume targets while keeping CEC tightly throttled. That’s why CEC CRS cut-offs have hovered between 514 and 521 across all 2026 draws.
PNP draws issue smaller volumes but at much higher CRS
The 786-795 CRS cut-offs in PNP rounds reflect base scores of approximately 186 to 195 — meaning the lowest-ranked candidates in those rounds had relatively modest pre-nomination CRS scores but received the +600 boost. The takeaway: a PNP nomination remains the single most reliable way to bypass high CEC cut-offs.
Provincial PNPs are scaling up
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets PNP admissions at 91,500 — a 66% increase over the 2025 target of 55,000. Ontario alone has 14,119 spots, a 31% increase YoY. Expect provincial draw sizes to grow throughout 2026 as provinces deploy their allocations.
Year-to-date 2026 Express Entry has crossed 65,000 ITAs
For comparison, Canada issued 113,998 Express Entry ITAs in all of 2025. At April’s pace, 2026 could easily exceed that number.
What This Means for You
If you’re in the Express Entry pool with CRS 480-510
You’re in the “danger zone” for general draws but a strong target for category-based selection (healthcare at CRS 467, trades at 477) or PNP nomination. Don’t sit and wait — actively pursue PNP and confirm your category eligibility.
If you have CRS 510+ and Canadian work experience
You’re a CEC candidate. Even with throttled volumes, you have a clear path. Maintain language and credential currency.
If you have NCLC 7+ in French
You’re in the most active and accessible category right now. Submit your profile immediately. CRS 400 is enough to be invited.
If you have an Ontario job offer
OINP is issuing more invitations than any other PNP. Match your job to the right stream (Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills, Masters, or PhD).
If you’re an Alberta candidate in healthcare, trades, tech, tourism, or law enforcement
AAIP ran nine draws in April alone. Update your EOI now to capture May draws.
If you’re outside Canada with a job offer
Atlantic Canada (AIP), RCIP, and the OINP Foreign Worker stream are your strongest paths. Quebec PSTQ is also active — but requires French.
Action Items
- Refresh your Express Entry profile with current language scores and work history
- Submit or update EOIs in every PNP where you have a connection
- Verify your NOC code against current category-based draw lists
- Coordinate Express Entry with at least one PNP for the +600 boost backup
- If your CRS is below 480 with no Canadian connection, focus on language and credential upgrades
How VG Immigration Can Help
Navigating Canada’s immigration system requires expert guidance. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB (R708308), Commissioner of Oaths, at VG Immigration Services can help you:
- Match your profile to the most active 2026 federal and provincial draws;
- Build a multi-province PNP strategy (OINP, AAIP, BC PNP, MPNP, AIP, NSNP);
- Coordinate Express Entry with PNP for the +600 boost;
- Validate category-based eligibility (French, healthcare, trades, physicians); and
- Target the right stream for your NOC, language, and Canadian connection.
Get Strategic PR Advice from an RCIC-IRB
Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB (R708308), Commissioner of Oaths, helps you target Canada’s busiest PR pathways with the strongest possible application.
📅 Book a Consultation | Visit vgis.ca | 💬 WhatsApp
Related reading on the VG Immigration blog: Express Entry French Draw April 29, 2026 | Express Entry Overhaul May 11 | In-Canada Workers Initiative | All Immigration News
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