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16 Oct 2026
14 Oct 2026
Express Entry PNP Draw: 752 Invitations at CRS 772
The latest Express Entry PNP draw on 13 October 2026 invited 752 provincial nominees with a lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 772. It was round 448 and the 60th round of the year, according to Immigration.ca. The figures below come from immigration news sites that republish Canada’s round data; the official record is IRCC’s Express Entry rounds page, and you should check it before you act.
What this covers
- The 13 October draw
- How recent PNP draws compare
- Why the cut-off is so high
- The tie-breaking rule
- What candidates can do
- Express Entry PNP draw questions
The 13 October Express Entry PNP draw
Both Immigration.ca and Immigration News Canada report the same numbers: 752 invitations, a minimum CRS of 772, and a draw time of about 10:26 UTC on 13 October. Only candidates with a valid provincial nomination are eligible for this type of round.
Why the cut-off is so high
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. That is why PNP draws show cut-offs in the 700s while other draws sit far lower. A cut-off of 772 does not mean a nominee needed a perfect profile. It means candidates with a nomination and a strong base score were invited first.
How recent PNP draws compare
The same source lists earlier PNP rounds this year. On 4 August, 507 invitations went out at a cut-off of 768. On 17 August it was 442 at 760. On 31 August it was 562 at 697. On 14 September it was 576 at 734, and on 28 September it was 733 at 725. The 13 October draw therefore has both the largest invitation count and the highest cut-off in this run of five.
Non-PNP rounds show a different picture. Immigration.ca lists a Canadian Experience Class draw on 29 September with a cut-off of 518, and a trades draw on 1 October at 476. Candidates without a nomination should compare themselves with those draws, not with PNP results.
The tie-breaking rule
When several candidates share the lowest score, Express Entry ranks them by when their profile was submitted. In this round, candidates at 772 whose profiles were created before 13:57:33 UTC on 15 July 2026 were invited, and later entrants at the same score were not. A profile that is one day newer can miss an invitation at the same score.
What candidates can do
Consider a hypothetical case. Maria is a Filipino nurse with a base score of about 400 who receives a provincial nomination. With the 600-point addition she would be near the top of the pool and in range for a PNP draw. Without the nomination she would depend on a general or category-based draw. For a nominee, the practical steps are to keep the profile active, accept the nomination in the profile, and keep documents current so that an invitation can be answered quickly.
Candidates without a nomination can look at provincial streams that match their job. Our reports on the Quebec permanent selection round and the work permit freeze in six regions cover two parts of the picture. Students planning ahead can read our guide to the 2027 study permit cap. You can also run a quick check with our visa eligibility checker.
Express Entry PNP draw questions
How many people were invited on 13 October 2026?
752 provincial nominees were invited in round 448, according to Immigration.ca and Immigration News Canada.
What was the minimum CRS score?
The lowest score invited was 772.
Why are PNP cut-offs so high?
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, so nominees score well above candidates in general draws.
What was the tie-breaking rule?
Candidates at 772 whose profile was created before 13:57:33 UTC on 15 July 2026 were invited.
Where can I verify the data?
On IRCC’s Express Entry rounds page, which is the official record. The numbers here come from news sites that republish it.
Sources
- Immigration.ca — Canada invites 752 provincial nominees in 13 October Express Entry draw. https://immigration.ca/canada-invites-752-provincial-nominees-express-entry-october-13-2026/
- Immigration News Canada — Express Entry draw 13 October 2026. https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/express-entry-draw-october-13-2026/
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — Express Entry rounds of invitations. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html
13 Oct 2026
Quebec Just Invited 519 More Workers for Permanent Residence
Quebec issued 519 invitations across its Programme de selection des travailleurs qualifies (PSTQ) in its ninth selection round of the year, the province’s Ministry of Immigration confirmed. The Quebec PSTQ permanent selection round split invitations across four separate streams, each targeting a different category of skilled worker already living and working in the province.
Stream 2, covering intermediate and manual-skill occupations, took the largest share with 316 invitations, including 254 issued to candidates in TEER 4 or 5 occupations holding a qualifying diploma. Stream 3, for regulated professions, issued 110 invitations, with healthcare, education and social-services occupations accounting for 69 of them. Stream 1, for highly qualified and specialized workers, issued 86 invitations, and Stream 4, reserved for exceptional talent, issued just 7.
How Quebec’s PSTQ permanent selection scoring works
Each stream carries its own eligibility bar and cutoff score. Stream 1 requires at least 12 months of recent Quebec work experience in a TEER 0–2 occupation, with cutoffs in this round ranging from 634 to 706 depending on the specific exercise. Stream 2 requires 24 months of recent experience in a TEER 3–5 occupation, with cutoffs between 611 and 706. Stream 3 targets residents intending to work in a regulated profession, with a much wider cutoff range of 380 to 697 depending on the occupation’s priority status. Stream 4 requires 36 months of experience plus either a positive opinion letter from a government partner organization or an exceptional achievement paired with a doctorate.
Candidate profiles were pulled from Quebec’s Arrima declaration-of-interest pool on September 21 for Streams 1 through 3, and September 24 for Stream 4, with invitations formally issued shortly after.
Why invitation volumes are shifting right now
Quebec reopened its Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2, and the province is scaling back PSTQ invitations while that first PEQ intake window remains open through October 31 — mainly affecting TEER 4–5 occupations and candidates with under two years of experience, the exact profile PEQ is designed to capture instead. From November 2026 onward, Quebec plans to balance invitation volumes between the two programs directly, with a stated goal of issuing roughly equal numbers of Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) through PSTQ and PEQ by 2029.
That rebalancing explains why this round’s largest stream, Stream 2, is precisely the category PEQ is designed to serve — invitation numbers there are likely to keep shifting as the two programs settle into their new balance over the coming months.
What a Quebec PSTQ permanent selection invitation actually gets you
An invitation is not the same as approval. Invited candidates must still submit a complete application for a Quebec Selection Certificate, and only once that CSQ is issued can they apply to the federal government for permanent residence with the stated intent to settle in Quebec. Candidates already living in Canada who file their PR application afterward may become eligible for a bridging open work permit while the federal decision is pending, provided they maintain their status in the interim.
Quebec’s PSTQ functions as the province’s primary economic immigration pathway, distinct from the federal Express Entry system that governs most other provinces, which is why candidates aiming to settle specifically in Quebec need to track Arrima invitation rounds separately from federal draws.
What happens after this draw
Candidates who received an invitation in this round typically have a set window to submit their complete CSQ application, after which Quebec’s immigration ministry processes applications roughly in the order received, subject to standard document and eligibility checks. Given the PEQ-PSTQ rebalancing already underway, candidates who were not invited this round in TEER 4–5 occupations may find better odds applying through the newly reopened PEQ intake instead, at least until that window closes on October 31.
Watch for Quebec’s November invitation round, which the province has said will reflect the first phase of its planned long-term rebalancing between the two main economic pathways.
What people are asking about this draw
How many people were invited this round?
519 candidates across four PSTQ streams, with Stream 2 (intermediate and manual-skill occupations) taking the largest share at 316 invitations.
What’s the difference between PSTQ and Express Entry?
PSTQ is Quebec’s own economic immigration pathway; Express Entry is the federal system used by other Canadian provinces. Quebec manages its selection separately.
Why are PSTQ invitation numbers changing?
Quebec reopened its Quebec Experience Program on July 2 and is scaling back PSTQ invitations in overlapping categories while that intake window runs through October 31.
What cutoff score did this round require?
Cutoffs varied by stream and exercise, ranging from as low as 380 in parts of Stream 3 to as high as 706 in parts of Streams 1 and 2.
Does an invitation guarantee permanent residence?
No. Invited candidates must still apply for and receive a Quebec Selection Certificate before applying to the federal government for permanent residence.
Can I get a work permit while my application is processed?
Candidates already in Canada may be eligible for a bridging open work permit once they file their federal PR application, provided they maintain their status.
Sources
- CIC News — Quebec invites 519 workers to apply for permanent selection through PSTQ. cicnews.com
- Gouvernement du Quebec — Immigration permanente: un nombre important d’invitations transmises pour repondre aux besoins du Quebec. quebec.ca
For related coverage, see our reports on Canada’s September Express Entry round and the work permit freeze affecting six Canadian regions.
13 Oct 2026
Canada Study Permit Cap 2027: The Number Students Are Waiting For
The Canada study permit cap for 2027 has not been announced yet. A summary published on 3 August 2026 by Redim says Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to set the next national cap and the provincial allocations in fall 2026. That makes the next few weeks important for anyone planning to start a Canadian programme in 2027.
In brief
- What is known
- Why the PAL is the key document
- Who skips the PAL
- The 2026 numbers
- How to plan for the 2027 intake
- Study permit cap questions
What is known about the Canada study permit cap for 2026
The 2026 cap allows up to 408,000 study permits, according to Redim. Of those, 155,000 are for new arrivals and 253,000 are for extensions. The total is 7% below the 2025 target of 437,000 and 16% below the 2024 target of 485,000. Provinces and territories received 309,670 application spaces, because some applications will be refused.
The same summary reports that new international student arrivals fell 61% in 2025, a drop of 177,595 people. It also says the number of study permit holders fell 29%, from 928,430 at the end of 2024 to 691,215 at the end of 2025. Redim is a secondary source, so check IRCC for the official figures.
Why the provincial attestation letter is the key document
Most applicants need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application. The IRCC page on attestation letters says the province where you plan to study issues it, and your school helps you obtain it. The letter confirms you have been assigned a space. It is tied to one school and must be valid when you apply.
The timing rule matters for 2027. IRCC says a PAL is generally valid until its expiry or 31 December of the cap year in which it was issued, whichever is earlier. You cannot use a PAL from a previous cap year. The IRCC page contains no information about the 2027 cap year yet. A reasonable reading is that students applying in 2027 will need a letter issued under the 2027 allocations, but confirm this with IRCC once it publishes.
Who does not need an attestation letter
IRCC lists several exemptions. They include primary and secondary students, students in master’s or doctoral programmes at public designated learning institutions since 1 January 2026, and holders of a Global Affairs Canada scholarship. Students in Quebec generally need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate instead. You need a new letter if you change schools, which has applied since 22 January 2025. You do not need one to extend at the same school and level of study.
The costs and rules students ask about
Redim lists a $150 study permit fee and generally $85 for biometrics when required. It also reports first-year living costs of $22,895 outside Quebec, excluding tuition and transport, adjusted each 1 September. Post-graduation work permit language rules also apply: CLB/NCLC 7 for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates, and level 5 for college graduates. Redim adds that the college route has a field-of-study requirement. Confirm every figure on IRCC’s website before you budget.
How to plan for a 2027 start while the cap is unknown
Consider a hypothetical student, Linh, from Hanoi. She wants a one-year college programme in Ontario starting in September 2027. She has no master’s-level exemption, so she needs a PAL. She should shortlist schools now and ask each one when it expects to receive PAL allocations. She should also keep her funds proof and language results current. Linh is an illustration, not a real applicant.
A master’s applicant at a public institution may avoid the letter altogether. Compare that with Australia, where fees and visa rules are also changing, in our guide to Australia’s student visa reform. Canada’s labour-side rules are moving too, as our report on the work permit freeze in six regions shows. To check your own route, use the visa eligibility checker.
Integrity checks that sit behind the cap
Redim also reports tighter oversight of schools. IRCC found more than 10,000 potentially fraudulent acceptance letters in 2024 and about 4,900 in 2025. Designated learning institutions must report enrolment twice a year, within 60 days, and answer ad hoc requests within 10 days. Since 1 April 2026, students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for a placement that is part of the programme. Redim says this does not increase the number of authorised workers.
Study permit cap questions
Has the 2027 Canada study permit cap been announced?
No. Redim reports that IRCC plans to set the next national cap and the provincial allocations in fall 2026.
What is the 2026 cap?
Up to 408,000 study permits, including 155,000 for new arrivals and 253,000 for extensions, according to Redim.
Do I need an attestation letter?
Usually. IRCC lists exemptions, including master’s and doctoral students at public institutions since 1 January 2026.
Can I reuse a PAL from last year?
No. IRCC says you cannot use a PAL issued in a previous cap year.
What if I change schools?
You need a new PAL. IRCC says this has applied since 22 January 2025.
Sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — Provincial attestation letter and territorial attestation letter. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/provincial-attestation-letter.html
- Redim — Canada’s study permit cap is becoming a permanent planning system (3 August 2026). https://redim.ca/canada-s-study-permit-cap-is-becoming-a-permanent-planning-system/
11 Oct 2026
Six More Canadian Cities Just Got Shut Out of Cheap Foreign Labour
Six more Canadian cities just lost access to low-wage foreign labour, at least for now. The latest Canada work permit freeze update, effective October 9, 2026, adds Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines-Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge to the list of regions where most new low-wage work permit applications face an automatic refusal.
What triggered this round of the Canada work permit freeze
Employment and Social Development Canada updates regional unemployment rates every quarter. Any census metropolitan area with unemployment at or above 6% loses eligibility for most new low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment applications. This quarter’s update pushed six more cities over that line. That is according to Moving2Canada’s analysis of the new figures.
The newly restricted regions and their unemployment rates are Halifax at 6.1%, Fredericton at 6.2%, Kingston at 6.3%, St. Catharines-Niagara at 6.5%, Regina at 6.7% and Lethbridge at 6.0%. Two regions moved the other way. Kamloops fell from 7.0% in July to 3.6%. Chilliwack dropped from 7.9% to 5.6%. Both regained eligibility for low-wage LMIA processing as a result.
How many regions are frozen now
Thirty census metropolitan areas now sit at or above the 6% threshold, up from roughly 26 last quarter. Only 11 regions remain below the line, down from 15 in July. The new figures apply to LMIA applications submitted between October 9, 2026 and January 7, 2027. Employment and Social Development Canada will issue the next quarterly update on January 8, 2027.
The restriction has applied nationally since September 2024. It is part of a broader effort to prioritize Canadian and permanent resident workers in high-unemployment areas. We covered a related fairness change for employers in our report on Canada’s new work permit refusal rules. We also covered a related processing-time update in our piece on personalized wait-time estimates.
Who can still get an LMIA approved
Employers in a restricted region are not shut out completely. Raising the offered wage to the provincial or territorial median for that occupation moves the job into the high-wage stream. The freeze does not touch that stream at all. Employers can also simply wait roughly three months for the next quarterly update, in case local unemployment improves by then.
Several occupation categories are exempt from the freeze regardless of location. These include primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospital work, nursing and residential care, certain in-home caregiver roles, and short-duration jobs of 120 days or less that meet specific conditions. Workers already on a low-wage permit who cannot get it extended must stop working once that permit expires. They may still apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada without working.
That visitor-record option matters more than it might sound. It keeps a worker’s legal status intact while they look for a different path forward, rather than forcing them to leave the country the moment their work permit lapses.
Why this matters beyond Canada’s borders
Workers applying from abroad often choose a destination country partly based on how fast and how reliably a job offer can clear the paperwork. A freeze like this one changes those odds by city, not just by country. The calculation looks different for a worker eyeing Halifax than one eyeing Chilliwack this quarter, even though both cities sit in the same country under the same federal rules. Other countries are tightening labour rules too. The Netherlands recently rewrote its own work permit framework, a shift we detailed in our report on the Dutch changes.
Recruiters and employers who move workers between regions now have to track two moving targets: each province’s labour rules, and each city’s quarterly unemployment swing. A plan built around one city in July can look very different by October, as this quarter’s list change shows.
What happens next for Canada’s low-wage stream
The next scheduled update lands January 8, 2027. Quarterly unemployment swings have moved cities on and off this list before, in both directions. Employers in newly restricted cities who need workers soon have two realistic paths. They can raise wages into the high-wage stream, or they can wait out the quarter. Either way, nothing about this freeze is permanent for any single city. It resets every three months as the national jobs picture shifts.
Workers and employers alike are left watching the same quarterly calendar now. A city near the 6% line in October could tip either way by January, depending on local hiring and layoffs between now and then. That uncertainty is itself a planning cost, even before a single application gets filed.
Common questions about the Canada work permit freeze
Which cities were just added to the Canada work permit freeze?
Halifax, Fredericton, Kingston, St. Catharines-Niagara, Regina and Lethbridge were added effective October 9, 2026, after their unemployment rates rose to 6% or higher.
How many Canadian regions are affected by the freeze in total?
Thirty census metropolitan areas now have unemployment at or above the 6% threshold that triggers the low-wage LMIA restriction.
Can an employer still hire a foreign worker in a frozen region?
Yes, if the employer raises the wage to the provincial or territorial median for that occupation, which moves the job into the unrestricted high-wage stream.
How long does this version of the freeze last?
It applies to applications submitted from October 9, 2026 through January 7, 2027, when the next quarterly unemployment update takes effect.
Which jobs are exempt from the low-wage LMIA freeze?
Primary agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, hospital and residential care roles, certain in-home caregivers, and short-duration jobs of 120 days or less under specific conditions are all exempt.