A new Express Entry draw has been held for candidates with a provincial nomination
In the new round, the minimum passing score has gone up again.
On March 16, 2026, the Canadian government held a new Express Entry draw for candidates with a provincial nomination. 362 people received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 742. By comparison, in the previous draw on March 2, 2026, the minimum score was 710, and 264 candidates received invitations. The cutoff score increased significantly, as did the total number of invitations issued.
The changes in these numbers may be related to updates in the pool of provincially nominated candidates, as well as current priorities in Canada's immigration policy and quota distribution across different draw categories.
Candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly strengthens their position in the system. This means that in this draw, candidates only needed 142 points based on core factors, including age, education, English or French language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability factors in Canada.
Want to know how many points you could get? Use our online CRS calculator to estimate your immigration chances.
The results of this draw once again highlight the important role of Provincial Nominee Programs, which allow Canadian regions to attract professionals who best match their economic and demographic needs.
How Provincial Nominee Programs work
Each Canadian province and territory sets its own candidate requirements based on labor market needs and regional priorities. Typically, to receive a nomination you need to:
- meet the requirements of one of the federal immigration programs;
- create a profile in the Express Entry system;
- receive a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points and significantly increases your chances of receiving an invitation.
Stay updated on the latest Express Entry draws so you don't miss new opportunities to immigrate to Canada.
