IRCC Invites 264 Provincial Nominees in Latest Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw, inviting 264 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The selection took place on March 2, 2026, marking the eleventh draw of the year.
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 710 to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Profiles submitted before 6:02 p.m. UTC on August 7, 2025, were considered in this round.
The draw continues IRCC’s pattern of prioritising applicants with provincial nominations, which add 600 CRS points to a candidate’s overall score through the Express Entry system.
- Draw date: March 2, 2026
- Program type: Provincial Nominee Program
- ITAs issued: 264
- CRS cut-off score: 710
- Eleventh Express Entry draw of 2026
- Fifth PNP-specific draw this year
Overview of the 2026 Express Entry Draws
The March 2 draw brings the total number of Express Entry selections in 2026 to eleven. Of these, five have been dedicated to Provincial Nominee Program candidates. The other draws have targeted applicants through the Canadian Experience Class, French-language proficiency, healthcare, and physician-specific categories.
Express Entry is Canada’s primary system for managing skilled immigration applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and certain Provincial Nominee Program streams. Provinces such as Manitoba also nominate candidates through their own pathways, including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
Summary of 2026 Draws to Date
According to official draw data, the following selections have occurred this year:
| Draw Date | Category | CRS Cut-off | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Distribution of Draw Types in 2026
IRCC’s data shows that PNP draws have been the most frequent so far this year, followed by Canadian Experience Class rounds. Category-based selections for French-speaking candidates and healthcare professionals have also featured prominently.
| 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 |
Total Invitations Issued in 2026
Across all Express Entry categories, IRCC has issued 35,112 invitations to apply for permanent residence as of early March 2026. The highest number of invitations has been granted to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, followed by those demonstrating French-language skills.
| Category | Invitations 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 |
Context and Current Trends
Express Entry draws held in 2026 demonstrate an ongoing emphasis on candidates already contributing to Canada’s labour market or regional economies. PNP nominees, who receive additional CRS points for provincial support, continue to make up a significant share of invitations.
As part of Canada’s broader immigration strategy, these selections help provinces address specific workforce needs while supporting federal targets for skilled newcomers. The focus on nominees and experienced professionals aligns with the government’s plan to maintain steady levels of permanent resident admissions through the Express Entry system.
Further updates from IRCC are expected as additional category-based draws and general rounds of invitations occur throughout 2026.
Readers can follow continuing coverage of Express Entry and provincial nomination trends across Canada’s immigration programs.