Canada invites 1.9 Lakh+ Candidates in 9 months in 2026. You Can Be The Next One. Apply Now!

Canada has issued 190,822 invitations to apply for permanent residence between January and September. Express Entry issued 129,715 of these invitations. Provincial Nominee Programs and Quebec's immigration programs issued the remaining 61,107. The invitations went to skilled workers across many occupations, helping Canada meet its economic immigration targets and fill labour shortages in key sectors. This shows steady demand for skilled immigrants across Canada.

Express Entry issued 129,715 invitations between January and September, about 68% of all invitations. March was the busiest month, with 20,982 invitations. May had the fewest, with 8,214. Express Entry manages applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, making it Canada's main route for skilled workers. Each draw invites candidates with the highest CRS scores in the pool.

Quebec issued the most invitations among the provinces, with 15,065 invitations through its own immigration programs. Ontario followed with 13,314 invitations, most of which came in February, March and April. Alberta was third with 11,642 invitations, issued through draws held every month. Manitoba and British Columbia also issued more than 6,000 invitations each during the period. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador also issued thousands of invitations.

February had the highest number of invitations, with 29,319 issued across Express Entry, provincial programs and Quebec. March followed closely with 29,159, and April had 28,472. May had the lowest total at 11,893. Monthly totals change based on the size of Express Entry draws and the timing of draws held by each province. This makes it important to keep your profile ready at all times.

A Provincial Nominee Program lets a Canadian province or territory nominate foreign workers who meet its local labour needs. Each province runs its own streams, with different eligibility rules. A nomination can lead to permanent residence. Candidates who receive a nomination linked to Express Entry get 600 additional CRS points, which almost guarantees an invitation to apply. Most PNP streams need a job offer, work experience or a connection to the province.

A provincial nomination linked to Express Entry adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This places you well above the usual cut-off scores in most draws. As a result, you are very likely to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw for provincial nominee candidates. You must still meet all the eligibility rules and submit a complete application on time.

Canada invites foreign workers to fill labour shortages in sectors such as healthcare, construction, technology and trades. Many workers are retiring, and the country needs new talent to support its economy. Canada's Immigration Levels Plan sets yearly targets for economic immigrants. Regular draws through Express Entry, provincial programs and Quebec help the country meet these targets. Immigrants also help support public services and pay for an ageing population's needs.

Quebec selects its own economic immigrants instead of using a regular Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates apply through Quebec's own programs and, if selected, receive a Quebec Selection Certificate before applying for permanent residence. Quebec places strong importance on French language skills. It issued 15,065 invitations between January and September, the highest among the provinces. Candidates can check the Quebec immigration website for the latest draws and programs.

Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick issued invitations in every month from January to September. Regular draws make these provinces a reliable option for candidates who match their streams. Some provinces, such as Ontario and the Northwest Territories, issued invitations in only a few months. Draw timing can change based on each province's priorities. Candidates should track each province's draw updates on its official website.

You can improve your chances by raising your CRS score. Improve your language test results, gain more skilled work experience, and get your education assessed. Learning French can also add points. Applying to a Provincial Nominee Program that matches your occupation can bring 600 extra points. Keep your Express Entry profile updated and accurate at all times. Always check the latest draw results and eligibility rules before you apply.