Canada has invited 356 applicants
Canada’s latest Express Entry draw has issued 356 invitations as the cut-off score rose to 802, highlighting the role of provincial nomination in securing permanent residence.
In a round held on March 30, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 356 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific draw, according to data published on a government portal.
A tie-breaking rule was implemented for profiles submitted before February 12, 2026, at 03:54:03 UTC, meaning candidates with equal scores were ranked based on how quickly they entered the pool.
crs score
The new cut-off is not accidental. Under the Express Entry system, an additional 600 CRS points are awarded to candidates who receive a provincial nomination. This effectively guarantees that the most nominated applicants rank at the top of the pool.
As a result, PNP-only draws regularly see cut-offs above 700–800, unlike normal draws where scores are much lower.
How the Enrollment Program Works
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to select candidates based on their local labor market needs. These enrollments are aligned with the federal Express Entry system.
Key features include:
Provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba run their own enrollment streams.
Candidates must meet both federal and provincial eligibility criteria
A nomination significantly improves your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
After receiving an ITA, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application
What does this mean for applicants
For applicants, this draw highlights two clear trends:
PNP is getting serious: With the CRS cut-off exceeding 800 in targeted draws, candidates without provincial nomination may find it difficult to secure ITAs in such rounds.
Competition remains intense: even among nominated candidates, only the top-ranked profiles are being selected
Applicants without nomination may need to actively seek out provincial streams that match their occupation, work experience and language scores.
Strategy for Candidates in Pool
Given the current pattern of draws, potential applicants should consider a more targeted approach:
Apply on the relevant PNP stream to secure the 600-point boost
Keep the Express Entry profile up to date, especially work experience and language test scores
Track draw trends regularly to understand cut-off activities
Prepare documents in advance to meet the 60-day submission window after receiving ITA
