Analysis of Express Entry Draw 409
IRCCGUIDE tracks this draw directly from the official IRCC source, which can be found at Canada.ca, and explains what changed. Draw 409 was conducted on April 13, 2026, specifically targeting candidates within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream.
For broader context, see our Provincial Nominee Program guide.
In this round, a total of 324 invitations to apply for permanent residence were issued. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score for this specific draw was 786. This means that candidates who held a provincial nomination and achieved a score of 786 or higher were eligible for an invitation in this round.
Comparing Draw 409 to Previous PNP Rounds
When examining the data provided by IRCCGUIDE, it is helpful to look at how this round compares to the previous Provincial Nominee Program draw. The previous PNP draw took place on March 30, 2026. In that instance, the CRS cutoff score was 802, and the number of invitations issued was 356.
Comparing these two rounds shows a shift in the requirements for PNP candidates. The cutoff score for draw 409 decreased to 786 from the previous 802. Additionally, the number of invitations issued in draw 409 was 324, which is lower than the 356 invitations issued during the March 30 round.
Understanding the Tie-Break Detail
For candidates who had the exact same CRS score as the cutoff, IRCC utilizes a tie-breaking rule to determine who receives an invitation. For draw 409, the tie-break date was established as November 19, 2025 at 6:53 p.m. UTC. This date and time are used to prioritize candidates who submitted their profiles earliest in the pool.
The use of a tie-break date ensures that the invitation process remains fair and transparent, especially when a large number of candidates share the same minimum score. IRCCGUIDE provides this specific timestamp to help candidates understand the exact cutoff point used for this round.
What This Means for PNP Candidates
The results of draw 409 highlight the ongoing activity within the Provincial Nominee Program. Because this draw was category-specific, it only impacted those who had already received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory. The fluctuation in the CRS cutoff—moving from 802 down to 786—demonstrates how the requirements for invitations can change between rounds based on the pool of available candidates.
Candidates currently in the pool should note that these figures are specific to the PNP category and do not reflect general draws or other category-based selections. IRCCGUIDE continues to monitor these trends to provide a clear interpretation of how the Express Entry system is operating for nominated individuals.