Canada issues 380 invitations in first Express Entry draw of May

On May 11, IRCC issued 380 Express Entry invitations at CRS 798. Before that number worries you, understand what it actually means.

This was a Provincial Nominee Program round, which means every candidate invited already held a provincial nomination worth 600 CRS points. The lowest invited candidate had a base score of approximately 198 before the nomination bonus was added. The 798 cutoff is the score you would need if you already had a nomination. It is not the score required without one.

If your profile is active and you are scoring in the 510 to 515 range, the May 11 draw was not your draw. The Canadian Experience Class draws have been more relevant to your situation, holding their cutoff between 510 and 515 throughout 2026. IRCC typically holds a CEC round within a few days of each PNP round, so watch the rounds page closely this week.

If you are below 500 CRS and do not yet have a provincial nomination, waiting for a general draw is not your most productive next move. The realistic options are three. First, actively pursue a provincial nomination through a stream that matches your occupation and location. Second, qualify for a category based draw such as French language, healthcare, or trades. Third, raise your base score by improving language test results or adding a Canadian education credential.

The Provincial Nominee Program remains the single most effective way to make a borderline file competitive. If your profile has been sitting at the same score for six months or more, the May 11 draw is a reminder that the pool is not standing still. Your file should not either.