Canada has conducted another round of invitations under the Express Entry system, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on 3rd March.
The draw was carried out by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), continuing the department’s trend of prioritizing candidates with Canadian work experience. This marks the twelfth Express Entry draw held so far in 2026.
Also Read Canada Conducts New Canadian Experience Class Draw, Issues 4,000 ITAs
Minimum Score and Eligibility Requirements
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates needed:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 508
- An Express Entry profile submitted before 10:35 a.m. UTC on June 24, 2025
The CRS cut-off remains close to the lowest levels seen in CEC-specific draws in recent years, signaling relatively stable competition among candidates already working in Canada.
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Complete Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
Below is a full breakdown of all Express Entry draws conducted this year:
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| 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 |
The data shows a consistent focus on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class draws throughout the year.
Distribution of Draw Types in 2026
Here is how Express Entry rounds have been categorized so far:
| 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 account for the highest number of rounds, reinforcing the importance of provincial pathways in Canada’s immigration system.
Total Invitations Issued in 2026 So Far
IRCC has issued a total of 39,112 ITAs across multiple categories this year:
| 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 Canadian Experience Class leads in total invitations, highlighting the federal government’s intent to transition temporary residents into permanent status.
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- Canada Sends 229 Permanent Residence Invitations to Physicians With Canadian Experience
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
The continued emphasis on CEC and PNP candidates suggests that individuals already employed in Canada remain at a significant advantage. Strong language test scores, higher educational qualifications, and provincial nominations continue to play a decisive role in improving CRS rankings.
With steady CRS thresholds and regular category-based selections, 2026 is shaping up to be a year centered on retaining skilled talent already contributing to Canada’s economy.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool should ensure their profiles are updated and explore additional ways to increase their CRS score, particularly as targeted draws remain a key feature of Canada’s evolving immigration strategy.
