On March 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 362 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). According to the official criteria, invited candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742, and their Express Entry profiles had to be submitted before 8:35 p.m. UTC on October 5, 2025. Readers seeking more details about Express Entry draws can also visit https://unaimmi.com/ee.
Results of the latest draw
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Draw date | March 16, 2026 |
| Draw category | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
| Number of invitations | 362 |
| Minimum CRS score | 742 |
| Tie-breaking rule (profile submission time) | October 5, 2025, 20:35 (UTC) |
This was Canada’s 15th Express Entry draw of 2026 and the sixth draw for the PNP category this year. Consistent with the trend seen in recent months, this round once again highlighted the federal immigration system’s strong emphasis on provincial nominee candidates.
Express Entry draws in 2026 continue to favor in-Canada candidates
Looking at the structure of draws so far this year, IRCC’s direction has become increasingly clear: priority is being given to immigration candidates who are already in Canada, who have local work experience, or who have secured support through a provincial nomination.
As of now, the number of Express Entry draws by category in 2026 is as follows:
| Draw type | Number of draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 4 |
| French-language proficiency | 2 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian work experience | 1 |
The figures above show that PNP and CEC remain the two most frequently used draw categories this year. This reflects the federal government’s current immigration selection strategy, which places greater emphasis on candidates with tangible links to Canada’s labour market and regional economic needs.
45,224 invitations issued so far in 2026
Following this latest round, IRCC has issued a total of 45,224 ITAs through Express Entry in 2026. The distribution by category is as follows:
| Draw type | ITAs issued |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,000 |
| French-language proficiency | 14,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2,583 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 391 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian work experience | 250 |
It is worth noting that although the PNP category has been drawn six times in 2026, the cumulative number of invitations issued under this category stands at only 2,583, significantly lower than the totals for CEC and French-language draws. This suggests that while PNP draws remain consistent, each round is generally smaller in size and tends to maintain a relatively high score threshold.
Why are CRS cut-offs generally high in PNP draws?
PNP draws in Express Entry typically feature relatively high CRS cut-off scores because candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. In other words, many applicants whose original CRS scores may not be especially high can move into a competitive score range once they secure a nomination.
The minimum score of 742 in this round indicates that competition remains present even among candidates who have already obtained a provincial nomination. At the same time, IRCC continues to apply the tie-breaking rule, using the profile submission date and time as the final ranking factor. For candidates with the same score, those who entered the pool earlier have a better chance of receiving an invitation.
What this means for candidates
For applicants hoping to obtain Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, this latest draw sends several clear signals:
- Securing a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to improve the chances of receiving an invitation. With federal draws continuing to target PNP candidates, provincial nomination remains a key pathway for many applicants seeking to overcome federal score thresholds.
- Canadian work experience continues to grow in importance. From CEC to physicians and senior managers categories, IRCC is clearly placing greater value on candidates who are already integrated into the Canadian labour market.
- Creating a profile as early as possible still matters. In a high-scoring environment, the tie-breaking rule can directly affect the final outcome, and candidates should avoid losing opportunities because of delayed profile submission.
Overall, the logic behind Express Entry draws in 2026 is moving further toward more targeted selection, with priority given to applicants who can integrate into Canada’s labour market more quickly and meet specific regional or sectoral needs. For those planning their Canadian immigration pathway, it is becoming increasingly important to assess their score in a timely manner, monitor provincial nomination opportunities, and adjust their application strategy according to their personal background.
For more information on Express Entry draws, visit: https://unaimmi.com/ee
