Canada’s Express Entry system kicked off March with another targeted invitation round, focusing once again on candidates who secured a provincial nomination.
In its latest selection round on 2nd March, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 264 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream aligned with Express Entry. The draw underscores the federal government’s continued emphasis on candidates who have already demonstrated labour market alignment through provincial endorsement.
Also Read Express Entry Draw #399 : Canada Invites 264 Provincial Nominee Program
Latest PNP-Specific Draw: Key Highlights
The most recent selection round required candidates to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 710
- An Express Entry profile created before 6:02 p.m. UTC on August 7, 2025
Because a provincial nomination automatically adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile, most successful applicants in this category already had strong baseline scores before nomination. The elevated cut-off reflects the competitive nature of PNP-linked selections.
This round marks:
- The first Express Entry draw of March 2026
- The fifth PNP-specific draw of the year
- The eleventh Express Entry selection round overall in 2026
Express Entry Draw Activity in 2026 So Far
Canada’s immigration strategy this year has largely concentrated on applicants already contributing to the domestic workforce, particularly those with Canadian work experience or provincial backing.
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Below is a complete summary of Express Entry draws conducted in 2026:
Express Entry Draws – 2026 Overview
| Draw Date | Draw Type | CRS Cut-off | ITAs Issued |
| March 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 710 | 264 |
| February 20 | Healthcare and Social Services | 467 | 4,000 |
| February 19 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 | 391 |
| February 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| February 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| February 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Which Categories Have Dominated in 2026?
An analysis of the draw types conducted this year shows a clear pattern: PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates remain at the forefront of federal selection priorities.
Number of Draws by Category (2026)
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 5 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 3 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 1 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 1 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 1 |
Provincial Nominee Program draws have been the most frequent, reflecting continued collaboration between federal and provincial governments to address regional labour shortages.
Total Invitations Issued in 2026
As of early March, IRCC has issued 35,112 ITAs through various Express Entry categories.
ITAs Issued by Draw Type (2026)
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 20,000 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8,500 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 4,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,798 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 391 |
The majority of invitations have gone to Canadian Experience Class applicants, indicating a strategic preference for individuals with prior Canadian employment experience.
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Why PNP Candidates Hold a Strong Advantage
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination benefit from a substantial 600-point boost under the CRS scoring framework. Given that most general draws require scores in the high 400s or low 500s, this additional allocation almost guarantees an invitation in a subsequent PNP-focused round.
Provincial governments select nominees based on local labour market demands, which allows Canada to distribute immigration more evenly across regions rather than concentrating newcomers in major metropolitan hubs.
Outlook for Upcoming Draws
With March now underway, immigration analysts anticipate that IRCC may continue alternating between:
- Provincial Nominee Program draws
- Canadian Experience Class rounds
- Category-based selections targeting priority occupations
The consistent focus on in-Canada candidates signals Canada’s intent to retain temporary residents already contributing to the economy while also fulfilling regional workforce requirements through provincial partnerships.
As Express Entry continues evolving in 2026, candidates with provincial nominations or Canadian experience remain in the strongest position to receive invitations in the coming months.
