Canada Express Entry Draw – March 2, 2026: 264 PNP Candidates Invited, CRS Cut-Off 710

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released the results of the latest Express Entry draw held on March 2, 2026. The round targeted candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and issued 264 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

Draw Details – March 2, 2026

Candidates with a CRS score of 710 or higher received invitations. Where multiple candidates shared the lowest score, IRCC applied its standard tie-breaking rule based on the date and time the Express Entry profile was submitted.

Why Was the CRS Score 710?

Candidates who receive a provincial nomination automatically gain 600 additional CRS points. This significantly boosts their ranking in the Express Entry pool.

For example, a candidate with a base CRS score of 110 would reach 710 after receiving a provincial nomination. As a result, PNP-specific draws consistently show higher cut-off scores compared to general rounds.

Understanding Express Entry Draw Types

IRCC conducts several types of Express Entry rounds throughout the year:

• General Rounds – Invite top-ranking candidates eligible under any of the three Express Entry programs.
• Program-Specific Rounds – Target candidates under a specific program such as the Provincial Nominee Program.
• Category-Based Rounds – Focus on candidates in priority occupations or sectors identified by the Minister.

To enter the Express Entry pool, candidates must qualify under one of the following federal programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

What This Means for Candidates

The March 2 draw demonstrates the continued role of provincial nominations in Canada's immigration system. Candidates looking to improve their chances of receiving an ITA should consider:

• Exploring Provincial Nominee Program streams in your target province
• Improving language test scores (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF)
• Gaining additional skilled work experience
• Getting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if applicable

Monitoring draw results regularly helps applicants understand trends and assess their competitiveness in the pool.