IRCC Kicks Off March with Back-to-Back Express Entry Draws

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched an intensive start to the month by conducting two consecutive Express Entry draws on March 2nd and March 3rd, 2026. These back-to-back rounds signify a strategic shift in the department's approach, focusing on specific program streams rather than general all-program or category-based selections. By issuing a total of 4,264 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) within a 48-hour window, the Canadian government continues to prioritize a steady influx of skilled workers who have already demonstrated their value to the Canadian economy or have been vetted by provincial governments.

March 2nd: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Focus

The first draw of the month, Round #399, took place on March 2nd, 2026, and was exclusively dedicated to candidates within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In this round, IRCC issued 264 invitations. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was notably high at 710 points. This elevated score is standard for PNP-specific draws, as candidates who receive a provincial nomination are automatically awarded an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry profile. The PNP remains a cornerstone of Canada’s regional economic development strategy. By targeting these candidates, IRCC ensures that provinces and territories can fill specific labor market gaps that are unique to their local jurisdictions. For candidates, securing a provincial nomination is often the most reliable way to guarantee an ITA, even if their base human capital scores are lower than those typically required for general draws.

March 3rd: Significant Draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Immediately following the PNP draw, IRCC conducted Round #400 on March 3rd, 2026, targeting the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw was substantially larger, with 4,000 invitations issued to candidates who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. The CRS cut-off score for this round was 508, making it a highly accessible opportunity for many temporary residents currently working in the country. The focus on the CEC category highlights Canada’s ongoing commitment to the 'two-step' immigration model. This model prioritizes individuals who are already integrated into the Canadian workforce and society, as they have been shown to have better long-term economic outcomes. For the thousands of international graduates and foreign workers currently on work permits, these CEC-specific draws provide a clear and direct pathway to permanent residency.

Detailed Comparison of March 2026 Opening Draws

The following table provides a breakdown of the two draws that defined the start of March, illustrating the contrast between the high-scoring PNP stream and the high-volume CEC stream.

Strategic Implications for the 2026 Immigration Goals

The decision to hold program-specific draws (PNP and CEC) back-to-back suggests that IRCC is refining its selection process to meet the targets set in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan. Several key takeaways emerge from these results:

• Predictability for Domestic Candidates: By focusing on the CEC, IRCC is providing a lifeline to those whose work permits may be nearing expiration, ensuring that talent already in Canada is retained.
• Provincial Alignment: The PNP draw reinforces the importance of the relationship between federal and provincial authorities in managing immigration flows.
• Volume and Frequency: Issuing over 4,000 invitations in just two days indicates that IRCC is operating at a high capacity, likely intending to clear the pool of high-scoring candidates early in the year.

How Candidates Should Respond

With the CRS score for the CEC draw sitting at 508, candidates who are close to this threshold should look for ways to boost their scores immediately. This can be achieved through improving English or French language test results, gaining an additional year of work experience, or ensuring all educational credentials (ECA) are fully documented. Furthermore, candidates must be aware of the tie-breaking rule; for these draws, the date and time of profile submission serve as the deciding factor for candidates with identical scores. This makes early entry into the Express Entry pool more critical than ever.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations.html

What This Data Tells Us

Two rounds in two days with 264 invitations in one and 4,000 in the other shows how differently IRCC treats each stream. The gap in size has nothing to do with candidate quality and everything to do with what each stream is for.

The 710 and the 508 are not comparable numbers. The PNP figure carries 600 nomination points inside it, placing that candidate near a base score of 110, far below what the CEC round demanded on human capital alone.

PNP round size tracks provincial supply rather than federal intent. IRCC invited 264 candidates because that is roughly how many nominations had accumulated, not because it decided to admit that number.

Opening the month at this pace signals where the year is heading. A department issuing 4,264 invitations in 48 hours is working toward admission targets early rather than deferring them.

For candidates in the low 500s, a CEC cut-off of 508 is within reach of ordinary improvements. For everyone else, the more useful question is which stream your profile can realistically enter.