Express Entry PNP-Specific Draw, September 14, 2026: 576 Invitations at a CRS Cutoff of 734 — Understanding the 600-Point Provincial Nomination Bonus

On September 14, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry round of invitations reserved for candidates holding a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination, issuing 576 invitations to apply (ITAs) at a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 734. This was the 18th PNP-specific round of 2026 to date — the most frequent draw category among the 54 Express Entry rounds held so far this year.

A cutoff of 734 may appear alarming at first glance, since it is far higher than recent general or category-based rounds — the Healthcare and Social Services round on September 4, 2026 had a cutoff of 475, the Canadian Experience Class round on September 1, 2026 had a cutoff of 521, and the Senior Manager round on September 16, 2026 had a cutoff of 389. However, 734 does not represent the base CRS score a candidate needs — it reflects the score after a specific bonus has already been added.

Why PNP round cutoffs are consistently high

Under Express Entry rules, when a candidate receives a formal nomination through a provincial program linked to Express Entry — such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) — their profile is immediately awarded an additional 600 CRS points. Since the maximum combined score for core factors (age, education, work experience, language ability) typically falls in the 300-600 point range depending on the profile, this 600-point bonus places nearly every nominated candidate at the top of the Express Entry pool.

This explains why PNP-specific rounds consistently post very high cutoffs — 734 in the September 14 round — not because IRCC requires candidates to have a high base CRS score, but because virtually every candidate eligible for this round already holds a provincial nomination, and the 600-point bonus pushes their total score well above candidates without one.

According to the announcement, Express Entry profiles had to be created before 9:39 p.m. UTC on August 29, 2026 to be eligible for the September 14 round. Candidates already in Canada may apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit while their permanent residence application is processed, and accompanying family members (spouse and children) may also apply for their own work permits.

What this means in practice for Vietnamese applicants

For most Vietnamese applicants entering the Express Entry pool without a provincial nomination, base CRS scores typically fall in the 300-450 range — well below the 734 cutoff of this PNP round, and also generally below the cutoffs of recent general or category-based rounds (which have mostly stayed above 480 in 2026). This means that with an average, unassisted CRS profile, receiving a direct invitation from a general or category-based round is uncertain and depends heavily on cutoff fluctuations from round to round.

A more predictable pathway for many candidates is to secure a nomination from a provincial program that matches their profile first, then update their Express Entry profile to receive the 600-point bonus. With 18 PNP-specific rounds already held in 2026 — averaging close to one every two weeks — the likelihood of receiving an invitation after securing a nomination is considerably higher than waiting on general or category-based rounds without one.

Steps to prepare

First, candidates should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or the equivalent application to a provincial program that matches their profile. For Manitoba, this could mean the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream, or International Education Stream, depending on whether the candidate is applying from abroad, already has Manitoba work experience, or graduated from a Manitoba institution.

Second, candidates should create an Express Entry profile — if eligible under one of the three federal programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class) — before receiving a nomination, since each round has a UTC cutoff timestamp that a profile must predate to qualify.

Third, once a Letter of Advice to Apply or formal nomination is received, the Express Entry profile must be updated promptly so the system registers the nomination and applies the points, avoiding a missed round.

Choosing the right province and nomination stream depends on each applicant's specific occupation, education, and work history — there is no single formula that applies to every case.

To understand more about Manitoba provincial nomination and which opportunities fit your specific profile, contact Nonsuch Immigration directly via Zalo 0946 749 585 or WhatsApp 204 963 9288.