Express Entry for provincial nominees - passing score sharply increased
In the new selection round, the minimum CRS score exceeded 800 points.
On March 30, 2026, the Canadian government held a new Express Entry draw for candidates with a provincial nomination. 356 people received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
The minimum passing score on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was 802. For comparison, in the previous draw on March 16, 2026, the minimum score was 742, and 362 candidates received invitations. The cutoff score increased significantly while the number of invitations decreased slightly.
This score is one of the highest in recent times. A higher result was only recorded in September 2025, when the passing score reached 855.
The increase in the cutoff score may be related to updates in the pool of candidates with provincial nominations, as well as quota distribution and current priorities in Canada's immigration policy.
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 202 points based on core criteria, including age, education, English or French language skills, work experience, and adaptability factors in Canada.
Want to know how many points you could get? Use our online CRS calculator to estimate your chances of immigration.
The results of this draw confirm the important role of Provincial Nominee Programs, which allow Canadian regions to attract professionals who best meet their economic and demographic needs.
How Provincial Nominee Programs work
Each Canadian province and territory sets its own requirements for candidates based on labor market needs and regional priorities. Generally, 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.
Follow the latest Express Entry draws so you don't miss new opportunities to immigrate to Canada.
