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Canada Express Entry: IRCC Invites 2,250 CEC Candidates in March 31 Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted the final Express Entry draw of March 2026, issuing 2,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
To be eligible for this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 509. In addition, applicants needed to have created their Express Entry profile before March 18, 2026, at 8:27 a.m. (UTC).
Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Date | Draw Type | Minimum CRS | ITAs Issued |
| March 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 2,250 |
| March 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 802 | 356 |
| March 18 | French Language Proficiency | 393 | 4,000 |
| March 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 507 | 4,000 |
| March 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 742 | 362 |
| March 5 | Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 429 | 250 |
| March 4 | French Language Proficiency | 397 | 5,500 |
| March 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 4,000 |
| 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 |
This marks the 19th Express Entry draw of 2026 and the sixth draw specifically targeting Canadian Experience Class candidates this year.
Continued Focus on In-Canada Candidates
In 2026, IRCC has continued to prioritize candidates already residing in Canada, particularly those with Canadian work experience and provincial nominations. This approach reflects the country’s strategy to select applicants who can integrate quickly into the labour market and contribute effectively to the economy.
Canadian Experience Class draws remain a key pathway for temporary residents seeking permanent residence, especially those who have already gained valuable work experience in Canada.
What This Means for Applicants
The latest draw reinforces Canada’s ongoing preference for candidates with local work experience. For eligible applicants, maintaining a strong Express Entry profile and meeting CRS requirements remains essential to securing an Invitation to Apply.
With consistent draws and steady invitation numbers, candidates already in Canada continue to benefit from increased opportunities to transition to permanent residence.