Express Entry candidates with provincial nominations invited in latest draw

author avatar
Asheesh Moosapeta
Published: March 2, 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system.

The immigration department issued 264 ITAs in a draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.

To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have

  • A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 710; and
  • Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 6:02 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on August 7, 2025.

See how your competitive Express Entry profile is

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026

Draw dateDraw TypeCRS cut-off scoreITAs issued
March 2Provincial Nominee Program710264
February 20Healthcare and social services4674,000
February 19Physicians with Canadian work experience169391
February 17Canadian Experience Class5086,000
February 16Provincial Nominee Program789279
February 6French-Language proficiency4008,500
February 3Provincial Nominee Program749423
January 21Canadian Experience Class5096,000
January 20Provincial Nominee Program746 681
January 7Canadian Experience Class5118,000
January 5Provincial Nominee Program711574

Today's draw is the fifth PNP draw and the eleventh Express Entry selection of the year overall. It also marks the first draw of March.

PNP candidates continue to be prioritized under the Express Entry system for invitations. Entering the Express Entry pool with a provincial nomination grants a candidate an additional 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing an ITA.

Express Entry draws in 2026 have seen Canada's immigration department focus largely on immigration candidates within the country, particularly those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience. PNP draws in particular have been the most abundant this year so far:

Draw TypeNumber of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program5
Canadian Experience Class3
French-Language proficiency1
Physicians with Canadian work experience1
Healthcare and social services 1

In 2026 thus far, IRCC has issued 35,112 ITAs across the following draw types:

Draw typeITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class20,000
French-Language proficiency8,500
Healthcare and social services 4,000
Provincial Nominee Program1,798
Physicians with Canadian work experience391

See how your competitive Express Entry profile is

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