Canada has continued its active immigration selection process in 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing a new round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Express Entry system. The latest development highlights the country’s ongoing focus on candidates who already have strong ties to Canada’s provinces.
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Latest Express Entry Draw Targets Provincial Nominees
In the most recent round held on March 16, IRCC invited 362 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. This category continues to play a key role in addressing regional labour shortages across Canada.
To qualify for this draw, candidates were required to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742
- An Express Entry profile submitted before 8:35 p.m. UTC on October 5, 2025
The relatively high CRS score reflects the additional 600 points awarded to candidates who receive a provincial nomination, making PNP draws consistently competitive.
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Express Entry Draw Trends in 2026
So far in 2026, Express Entry draws have shown a clear pattern: priority is being given to candidates who are already contributing to Canada’s workforce or who meet targeted labour market needs. This includes provincial nominees, candidates with Canadian work experience, and French-speaking applicants.
Below is a complete breakdown of all Express Entry draws conducted this year:
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French-Language proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| 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 |
PNP Draws Dominate Selection Categories
The March 16 draw marks the 15th Express Entry round of invitations in 2026 and the sixth specifically targeting PNP candidates. This reinforces the importance of provincial pathways in Canada’s immigration strategy.
Here’s how draw types are distributed so far this year:
Draw Type Distribution in 2026
| 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 |
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Total ITAs Issued in 2026 So Far
Canada has already issued a total of 45,224 invitations this year, with a strong emphasis on candidates who can integrate quickly into the labour market.
ITAs Issued by Category
| 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 |
What This Means for Immigration Aspirants
The current Express Entry trends suggest that Canada is prioritising:
- Candidates with provincial nominations
- Individuals with Canadian work experience
- Applicants with French language proficiency
- Professionals in healthcare and specialised occupations
For prospective immigrants, this means that aligning your profile with targeted categories or securing a provincial nomination can significantly improve your chances of receiving an ITA.
Outlook for Upcoming Draws
With IRCC maintaining a steady pace of draws and a targeted selection approach, more invitations are expected in the coming months. Candidates in the Express Entry pool should keep their profiles updated and explore provincial nomination opportunities to enhance their CRS scores.
As Canada continues to refine its immigration strategy in 2026, one thing remains clear: candidates who meet specific economic and regional needs are leading the way in securing permanent residency.
