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Great news! IRCC launches Express Entry draw 445, issuing 733 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates as the cut-off score drops to 725 points. Plus, IRCC modernizes Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) submissions with online filing via Canada Post Connect.
Digital Enforcement and Border Protections: September 29, 2026 Digest
As of September 29, 2026, Canada’s immigration authorities are advancing online procedural modernizations, executing targeted provincial nominee selections, and extending critical public health border safeguards. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry draw 445, inviting 733 provincially nominated candidates with an easing score threshold. In operational reforms, IRCC has digitized the Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) process, enabling online filings through Canada Post Connect to expedite statutory stays of removal. Simultaneously, the federal government extended its temporary Ebola-related border restrictions and document suspensions for an additional 60 days. In regional administration, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is managing temporary database disruptions across its online processing infrastructure.
IRCC Issues 733 Invitations in Express Entry Draw #445 as PNP Score Drops to 725
On September 28, 2026, IRCC conducted its latest federal selection round under the Express Entry system, issuing Express Entry draw 445 dedicated to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
Key Metrics from Round #445:
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Invitations Issued: The federal government distributed 733 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) directly to candidates holding valid provincial nominations.
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Easing Score Threshold: The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score settled at 725 points, representing a 9-point drop from the previous PNP-targeted round on September 14.
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Tie-Breaking Rule: IRCC applied a profile timestamp filter of September 17, 2026, at 01:36:17 UTC to rank identical point profiles.
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Pool Inventory Dynamics: As of September 27, 2026, the active Express Entry candidate pool held 229,904 registered profiles.
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2026 Cumulative Totals: Marking the 19th PNP-specific draw of the year, Canada has now invited 9,270 provincial nominees in 2026. Across all 57 Express Entry selection rounds this year, the federal government has issued a cumulative total of 129,715 ITAs.
IRCC Digitalizes Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) via Canada Post Connect
In an important modernization designed to enhance administrative efficiency and legal safeguards, IRCC has updated its operational instructions for Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) submissions.
Updated Filing Process & Procedural Timelines:
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Digital Submission Portal: Applicants can now submit their PRRA application forms, supporting evidentiary documents, and written legal submissions online through Canada Post Connect.
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Eliminating Mailing Delays: IRCC strongly encourages applicants to utilize the digital channel rather than traditional mail, noting that electronic submissions are received instantly, allowing an eligible statutory stay of removal to be registered much faster with enforcement agencies.
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Prerequisites & Strict Deadlines: Applicants must receive a formal PRRA notification from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before submitting. First-time applicants must submit their completed application within 15 days of notification to benefit from an automatic stay of removal.
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Early Registration Warning: Because setting up a Canada Post Connect account involves administrative verification, IRCC advises applicants to register their accounts at least five business days before the submission deadline to avoid missing statutory filing windows.
Canada Extends Ebola Border Restrictions and Visa Suspensions for 60 Days
Addressing ongoing public health concerns in Central and East Africa, IRCC has extended its temporary immigration border measures and document processing holds for an additional 60 days.
Scope & Enforcement Guidelines:
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Extended Duration: The precautionary measures remain active until November 27, 2026.
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Targeted Regions: The policy responds to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along with heightened cross-border transmission risks in neighboring Uganda and South Sudan.
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Document Suspensions: Travel authorization documents remain suspended for residents of these designated high-risk nations. Affected individuals cannot travel to Canada during this window, even if they hold previously approved temporary resident visas (TRVs), study permits, work permits, or Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs).
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Processing Status: IRCC confirmed that while processing centers will continue to intake and review applications, no final approvals, issuances, or visa counterfoils will be delivered until these health measures are officially lifted.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Reports Temporary Technical Database Outage
The provincial Government of Manitoba announced on September 28, 2026, that the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) database is experiencing technical difficulties.
System Impact & Remediation:
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Systems Affected: The unexpected database outage has disrupted several internal assessment systems and client-facing online application portals across the province’s economic streams.
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Active Troubleshooting: Provincial technical teams have been deployed to resolve the core database infrastructure disruptions and restore full functionality as quickly as possible.
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Guidance for Applicants: Provincial officials advised applicants, designated employers, and legal representatives of the temporary disruption, confirming that comprehensive operational updates will be issued once full database operations are restored across all impacted pathways.
Why Choose Go Canada Services?
Navigate dropping PNP Express Entry cut-offs, urgent online PRRA filings, and complex international travel suspensions with the premier, licensed legal foresight of Go Canada Services (est. 2004).
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Provincial Nominee & Express Entry Alignment: Capitalize on the easing 725 CRS score in Express Entry draw 445. We assist skilled workers in securing provincial nominations to capture the vital 600-point boost.
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Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) & Stays of Removal: Received a PRRA notification from CBSA? Our litigation team rapidly prepares country-condition evidence and submits audit-proof online applications via Connect within the mandatory 15-day window to secure an immediate stay of deportation.
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Manitoba MPNP Application Management: Mitigate the impact of provincial database outages. We monitor system restorations and prepare compliant Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles for upcoming draws.
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Free Immigration Assessment: Evaluate your true 2026 eligibility today with our comprehensive tools.
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Contact Our Experts: Secure personalized, professional advice tailored specifically to your unique Canadian immigration journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What were the results of Express Entry draw #445? On September 28, 2026, IRCC issued 733 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score dropping to 725 points.
2. How do applicants submit a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) online? Applicants can now submit their PRRA forms and legal evidence digitally through Canada Post Connect, allowing for immediate delivery and faster confirmation of a stay of removal.
3. What is the deadline to submit a first-time PRRA application? First-time PRRA applicants must submit their completed application within 15 days of receiving the notification from the CBSA to benefit from an automatic stay of removal.
4. How long have Canada’s Ebola-related travel restrictions been extended? IRCC extended the temporary immigration measures for 60 days, keeping document suspensions and travel prohibitions for residents of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan in place until November 27, 2026.
5. What is the current status of the Manitoba PNP database? As of September 28, 2026, the MPNP database is undergoing technical maintenance to resolve system disruptions affecting multiple streams, with normal operations expected to resume shortly.
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Why Choose Go Canada Services?
Go Canada Services (est. 2004) helps you navigate the Canada Express Entry CEC Draw April 2026 and complex business immigration pathways in B.C.
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