March was an exceptionally busy month, featuring 8 separate draws covering five different categories. The strategy clearly shifted toward high-frequency, smaller-volume draws to manage the pool of over 230,000 candidates more precisely.
1. The “Big” CEC and PNP Draws
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) remains the primary pathway for those already working in Canada.
- CEC Trends: Scores hovered between 507 and 509. While 507 (March 17) marked a new low for the year, the final draw of the month on March 31 saw the cut-off rise slightly to 509 as IRCC reduced the number of invitations to reallocate resources to other sectors.
- PNP Trends: As expected, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) scores remain the highest (710–802) because candidates receive a 600-point bonus from their province.
2. French-Language Proficiency (The Volume King)
IRCC continues to prioritize Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
- Results: Two massive draws were held on March 4 and March 18, issuing a combined 9,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
- CRS Score: The scores for French speakers are significantly lower than general draws, dropping to a low of 393 this month.
3. Historical First: The Senior Managers Draw
On March 5, 2026, IRCC held the first-ever dedicated draw for Senior Managers (NOC 00012–00015).
- The Cut-off: 250 executives were invited with a CRS score of 429.
- Requirement: Candidates needed at least 12 months of Canadian experience in a TEER 0 executive role.
March 2026 Express Entry Results Table
| Draw # | Date | Category | ITAs Issued | Min. CRS |
| 407 | Mar 31 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 2,250 | 509 |
| 406 | Mar 30 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 356 | 802 |
| 405 | Mar 18 | French-Language Proficiency | 4,000 | 393 |
| 404 | Mar 17 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 507 |
| 403 | Mar 16 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 362 | 742 |
| 402 | Mar 5 | Senior Managers (First Ever) | 250 | 429 |
| 401 | Mar 4 | French-Language Proficiency | 5,500 | 397 |
| 400 | Mar 3 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 508 |
| 399 | Mar 2 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 264 | 710 |
Key Takeaways for Applicants
The “12-Month” Rule
A significant change for 2026 is that all category-based draws (Healthcare, French, Trade, etc.) now require a minimum of 12 months of qualifying work experience, up from the 6-month requirement in 2025.
Upcoming Fee Increases
If you received an ITA in March, be aware that IRCC has confirmed a 12% increase in permanent residence and citizenship application fees effective April 30, 2026. Submitting your complete application before this date could save you several hundred dollars.
