IRCC Wraps Up March with 2,250 Invitations in Canadian Experience Class Draw
Draw Details
IRCC conducted a category-specific draw on March 31 targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class. A total of 2,250 ITAs were issued to candidates who met both of the following criteria:
- A minimum CRS score of 509; and
- An Express Entry profile created before 8:27 a.m. UTC on March 18, 2026.
2026 Draw Landscape: In-Canada Candidates Take Center Stage
A review of the first quarter of 2026 reveals a clear strategic direction from IRCC — channeling invitations toward immigration candidates who are already in Canada, particularly those holding provincial nominations or possessing Canadian work experience.
Through the end of March, IRCC held 19 Express Entry draws across the following categories:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 |
| French-language proficiency | 3 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | 1 |
In terms of total invitations issued, CEC draws dominated by a wide margin, followed by French-language proficiency rounds. Together, the two categories accounted for over 86% of all ITAs. A detailed breakdown is as follows:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 30,250 | 54.2% |
| French-language proficiency | 18,000 | 32.2% |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 | 7.2% |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 2,939 | 5.3% |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 | 0.7% |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | 250 | 0.4% |
| Total | 55,830 | 100% |
Reading the Policy Signals
The pattern emerging from these draws sends an unmistakable message: Canada's 2026 immigration selection framework is tilting decisively toward candidates who are already established within its borders. Whether through CEC's requirement for Canadian work experience, French-language draws that favor bilingual professionals, or provincial nominations that align with regional labor needs, IRCC's selections all converge on a single objective — fast-tracking immigrants who have already integrated into the Canadian labor market and can contribute to the economy without delay.
For more information on Express Entry draws, visit the UNA Express Entry page.
Friendly reminder: There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada. We recommend first using UNA AI to generate an objective and neutral immigration plan, so you can gain an initial understanding of the possible immigration pathways and their requirements, and then choose to proceed with one-on-one consultations with a licensed Canadian immigration consultant partnered with UNA.
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IRCC Wraps Up March with 2,250 Invitations in Canadian Experience Class Draw
On March 31, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) closed out the month with an Express Entry draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, issuing 2,250 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence at a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 509. This marked the 19th Express Entry draw of 2026 and the sixth dedicated CEC round this year. With 55,830 ITAs issued across the first three months of the year — 30,250 of which went to CEC candidates alone — the federal government's strategy of prioritizing immigration applicants already living and working in Canada has come into sharp focus.
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