Latest Express Entry Draw: French-Language Proficiency
The most recent Express Entry draw, held on March 18, 2026, focused on candidates demonstrating French-Language proficiency (2026-Version 2). A total of 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with a remarkably low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 393. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was December 29, 2025, at 12:47:31 UTC. This continues a trend of lower CRS scores for French-language proficiency draws, highlighting Canada's commitment to francophone immigration.
Recent Express Entry Trends
Analyzing the draws from early March 2026 reveals several key trends:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Draws for CEC candidates have consistently seen CRS scores around the 507–511 mark, with 4,000 ITAs issued on March 17, 2026 (CRS 507) and 4,000 ITAs on March 3, 2026 (CRS 508).
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): PNP draws continue to be frequent, though they typically require much higher CRS scores. For instance, the March 16, 2026, PNP draw invited 362 candidates with a CRS score of 742.
- Category-Based Selection: Beyond French-language proficiency, other category-based draws have been observed. A draw on March 5, 2026, targeted Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience (2026-Version 1), issuing 250 ITAs with a CRS score of 429. Healthcare and Social Services Occupations also saw significant draws in February 2026, with a CRS of 467. Notably, a specific draw for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience on February 19, 2026, had a very low CRS of 169, indicating a high demand for this profession.
Key Policy Updates for 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced several important policy updates for 2026 that will impact Express Entry candidates:
- Job Offer Points: As of March 25, 2025, IRCC removed bonus CRS points for job offers (previously 50 or 200 points) to address concerns about LMIA fraud. However, recent discussions in March 2026 suggest a potential reintroduction or reform of these points, possibly targeting specific sectors.
- New Targeted Categories: IRCC has introduced new targeted categories for 2026 to address labor shortages. These include Medical Doctors with Canadian work experience, Researchers with Canadian work experience, and Senior Managers with Canadian work experience.
- Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028: The new Immigration Levels Plan emphasizes a return to "sustainable immigration" levels and includes a measure to transition up to 33,000 temporary residents (work permit holders) to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.
Stay Informed
We encourage all prospective immigrants to stay informed about these changes and assess how they might impact their Express Entry profiles. Regularly checking the official IRCC website and consulting with immigration professionals is highly recommended.
— RSTM Immigration News Team