IRCC Invites 264 PNP Candidates in First Express Entry Draw of March 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially conducted its eleventh Express Entry draw of 2026, marking the first selection pool of March.

Continuing a strong trend seen throughout the first quarter of the year, IRCC has once again targeted candidates who have already secured a provincial nomination. This draw underscores the federal government’s ongoing strategy of prioritizing candidates who have demonstrated a clear ability to integrate into specific local economies across Canada.

Here is a breakdown of the March 2, 2026 draw results and what it means for prospective immigrants.

March 2, 2026 Express Entry Draw Details

In the latest round of invitations, IRCC targeted candidates exclusively under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

• Draw Date: March 2, 2026

• Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

• Invitations to Apply (ITAs) Issued: 264

• Minimum CRS Cut-Off Score: 710

• Tie-Breaking Rule: August 7, 2025, at 6:02 p.m. UTC. (Candidates who scored 710 points were only invited if they submitted their Express Entry profile before this specific date and time).

Why the CRS Score is 710

For candidates unfamiliar with the Express Entry system, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 710 might seem unusually high compared to standard Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or general draws.

However, this is standard for a PNP-specific draw. When an Express Entry candidate receives a nomination from a Canadian province or territory, they are automatically awarded an additional 600 CRS points. Therefore, the base human capital score (age, education, language, etc.) for the lowest-ranked candidate in this draw was actually only 110 points before the provincial nomination was applied.

Obtaining a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective strategies for all but guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

2026 Express Entry Trends: A Focus on Domestic Candidates

The March 2 draw is the fifth PNP draw of 2026. Analyzing the data from the first two months of the year reveals a clear directive from IRCC: prioritizing candidates who are already in Canada and contributing to the workforce.

So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 35,112 ITAs. The distribution highlights a heavy reliance on domestic experience and targeted economic needs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 20,000 ITAs (across 3 draws)

• French-Language Proficiency: 8,500 ITAs (across 1 draw)

• Healthcare and Social Services: 4,000 ITAs (across 1 draw)

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 1,798 ITAs (across 5 draws)

• Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 391 ITAs (across 1 draw)

IRCC’s consistent focus on PNP and CEC draws indicates a strong preference for transitioning temporary residents (such as those on Post-Graduation Work Permits or specific closed work permits) into permanent residents, rather than drawing heavily from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) pool of overseas candidates.

Next Steps for Express Entry Candidates

If you received an ITA in the March 2 draw, you now have 60 days to submit a complete and highly detailed application for permanent residence. Failure to provide exact documentation that matches your Express Entry profile claims can result in application refusal.

If you are still in the pool, the current trends suggest that securing Canadian work experience or pursuing a provincial nomination pathway are the most viable strategies for selection in 2026. Furthermore, candidates with strong French-language skills or experience in critical sectors like healthcare continue to hold a distinct advantage.