Canada Issues 362 Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw for Provincial Nominees

Key Details of New EE Draw

Candidates selected in this round were required to meet the following criteria:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742
• An Express Entry profile created before 8:35 p.m. (UTC) on October 5, 2025

The high CRS cut-off reflects the additional points awarded to candidates who receive a provincial nomination, which typically adds 600 CRS points to their profile.

Express Entry Draw Result – 16th March 2026

Date	EE Draw Category	No. of ITAs	Minimum CRS Score Requirement	Tie-breaking rule
16 March 2026	Provincial Nominee Program	362	742	October 05, 2025 at 20:35:25 UTC

Click here to see the complete list of Express Entry draws until date

This latest selection round marks the fifteenth Express Entry draw conducted in 2026.

It is also the sixth draw this year focused specifically on Provincial Nominee Program candidates.

So far in 2026, Canada’s immigration department has largely focused on candidates who are already living or working in Canada. Many of the draws have prioritized individuals with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience, which suggests a continued emphasis on selecting candidates who can quickly integrate into the Canadian labour market. The breakdown of draw categories conducted in 2026 so far is shown below.

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

Total Invitations Issued in 2026

In 2026 so far, IRCC has issued 45,604 Invitations to Apply through various Express Entry categories. The majority of invitations have been issued to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and French-language proficiency categories. The distribution of invitations across draw types is shown below.

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

Provincial Nominee Program Candidates Continue to Receive Priority

Candidates who receive a nomination through a provincial immigration program often have a significant advantage in the Express Entry system. A provincial nomination automatically adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile, which usually places them well above the cut-off score in PNP-specific draws.

Canada’s provinces and territories use these programs to select skilled workers who meet local labour market needs. Many provinces regularly nominate candidates through their Provincial Nominee Program streams aligned with Express Entry.

Once nominated, candidates enter the federal Express Entry pool and can receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence during PNP-specific draws.

Get Expert Guidance for Your Canada PR Application

If you are planning to apply for Canada Permanent Residency and want a clear understanding of your eligibility under the Express Entry system or various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, seeking professional guidance can make the process much easier.

At Visas Avenue, experienced immigration experts can assess your profile and help you understand the most suitable immigration pathway based on your qualifications, work experience, and overall profile. A proper evaluation can also help you identify ways to strengthen your application and improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Canada PR.

If you would like to begin with a detailed eligibility assessment, you can connect with the team at Visas Avenue for guidance and support throughout the process. To contact VA migration expert, you may call on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com. Starting with the right information and professional direction can help you move forward with greater confidence in your Canada PR journey.

- Rajneesh Kumar