Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues its active schedule of Express Entry draws in 2026, with another targeted round aimed at candidates who have received a provincial nomination.
On March 16, 2026, the department issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence specifically under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category. This draw required candidates to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742. In addition, their Express Entry profiles must have been created no later than 8:35 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on October 5, 2025.
This latest selection round marks the fifteenth Express Entry draw conducted so far in 2026. It is also the sixth draw this year that has focused exclusively on candidates holding provincial nominations. Provincial nominations continue to play a vital role in Canada’s immigration system, as they allow provinces and territories to select individuals who align with their specific economic and labour market needs, often giving nominees a significant boost in their CRS scores.
Overview of Express Entry Activity in 2026 So Far
Throughout the early months of 2026, IRCC has demonstrated a clear preference for inviting candidates who are already living and working in Canada. This strategy emphasizes in-demand skills, Canadian work experience, language proficiency (especially in French), and strong ties to specific provinces through nominations.
The draws have been distributed across several categories, reflecting a balanced yet targeted approach to meeting Canada’s immigration targets. Here is a complete summary of all Express Entry draws held in 2026 up to March 16:
| Draw Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS Score | Number of ITAs Issued |
| Mar-18 | French-Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| Mar-17 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 507 | 4,000 |
| Mar-16 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 742 | 362 |
| Mar-05 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| Mar-04 | French-Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| Mar-03 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 508 | 4,000 |
| Mar-02 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 710 | 264 |
| Feb-20 | Healthcare and Social Services | 467 | 4,000 |
| Feb-19 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 | 391 |
| Feb-17 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 508 | 6,000 |
| Feb-16 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 789 | 279 |
| Feb-06 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| Feb-03 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 749 | 423 |
| Jan-21 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 509 | 6,000 |
| Jan-20 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 746 | 681 |
| Jan-07 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 511 | 8,000 |
| Jan-05 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 711 | 574 |
Breakdown of Draws by Category in 2026
IRCC has conducted a total of 17 draws by mid-March 2026. The distribution across categories highlights the department’s priorities:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 6 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 draws
- French-Language Proficiency: 3 draws
- Healthcare and Social Services: 1 draw
- Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 1 draw
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 1 draw
This pattern shows a strong focus on candidates with Canadian work experience and those nominated by provinces, alongside continued efforts to boost French-language immigration outside of Quebec.
Total Invitations Issued in 2026 (as of March 16)
By March 16, 2026, IRCC had issued a total of 45,604 Invitations to Apply across all categories. The breakdown is as follows:
- Canadian Experience Class: 28,000 ITAs
- French-Language Proficiency: 18,000 ITAs
- Healthcare and Social Services: 4,000 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 2,583 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 391 ITAs
- Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250 ITAs
These figures demonstrate that category-based draws, particularly those targeting in-Canada candidates and French speakers, have accounted for the majority of invitations this year. The relatively smaller numbers in PNP-specific draws reflect the high CRS scores typically required for these rounds, as provincial nominations already provide substantial points.
What This Means for Prospective Immigrants
The March 16 PNP draw, with its CRS cut-off of 742, remains competitive compared to general or CEC draws, which have seen cut-offs dip as low as the 390s and 500s in recent weeks. Candidates with a provincial nomination benefit from an automatic 600-point boost in the CRS, which explains why even high cut-offs like 742 are achievable for many nominees.
IRCC’s ongoing emphasis on provincial nominees and candidates already in Canada aligns with broader goals of addressing regional labour shortages and retaining talent that has gained valuable Canadian experience.
If you hold a provincial nomination or are building your Express Entry profile, it is advisable to keep your profile up to date and monitor draw results closely. The pool remains dynamic, and cut-off scores can fluctuate based on the number of new profiles entering the system and the specific category being targeted.
