On March 31, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) wrapped up the month with a Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-only Express Entry draw, inviting 2,250 candidates to apply for permanent residence.
The draw had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cutoff of 509. Candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 8:27 a.m. UTC on March 18, 2026 to be eligible.
This was the 19th Express Entry draw of 2026 and the sixth targeting CEC candidates this year.
Why This Draw Matters
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for individuals who already have skilled work experience in Canada. These draws continue IRCC’s strong focus in 2026 on candidates who are already living and working in the country, helping them transition smoothly to permanent resident status.
Compared to recent CEC draws (which issued 4,000–6,000 ITAs with cutoffs around 507–511), this final March draw was smaller, resulting in a slightly higher CRS threshold of 509.
Express Entry Activity in 2026 So Far
IRCC has shown a clear preference for in-Canada candidates throughout the first quarter of 2026. Here’s a quick overview:
- Total ITAs issued in 2026: 55,830
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 28,000 ITAs across 6 draws (including this one)
- French-language proficiency: 18,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 2,939 ITAs
- Other targeted categories (healthcare, senior managers, physicians, etc.) made up the rest.
Recent CEC draws have maintained relatively stable CRS cutoffs in the 507–511 range, making them more accessible for candidates with solid Canadian work experience but without extremely high scores.
| Date | Draw Type | CRS Cutoff | ITAs Issued |
| Mar-31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| Mar-30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| Mar-18 | French-Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| Mar-17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| Mar-16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| Mar-05 | Senior Managers (Canadian Work Exp.) | 429 | 250 |
| Mar-04 | French-Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| Mar-03 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
(Note: Earlier draws in January and February also contributed significantly to the yearly totals.)
What This Means for You
If you received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this draw — congratulations! You now have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
If you didn’t receive an invitation this time:
- CEC candidates with scores near or above 509 should keep their profiles updated.
- Improving your CRS score (through additional work experience, language test results, or education) can significantly boost your chances in future draws.
- Category-based draws (especially French-language proficiency) continue to offer strong opportunities with much lower CRS cutoffs.
Tip: Regularly check your Express Entry profile and ensure all information is current. Even small improvements in language scores or Canadian work experience can make a big difference.
Would you like more details on how to improve your CRS score, the latest PNP updates, or what to expect in April’s Express Entry draws? Feel free to drop your questions in the comments.
