Latest Express Entry Draw: 5,500 PR Invitations Issued on March 4

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a massive Express Entry draw on March 4, 2026, sending out 5,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence. This was a category-based draw aimed at candidates with high French language skills. The minimum requirement for the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was only 397 points. March looks set to be an active month for Express Entry candidates. IRCC has issued 9,764 invitations through multiple Express Entry draws over the past three days.

How does the tie rule work?

When multiple candidates in the Express Entry pool have the same CRS score, IRCC uses a tie rule to determine who receives an invitation first. This rule uses the date and time when candidates submitted their Express Entry profile. For the March 4 draw, the draw timestamp was October 10, 2025, at 18:18:20 UTC. Candidates with exactly 397 CRS points must submit their profile before this time to receive the invitation.

Why was the CRS score so low?

The CRS cutoff of 397 is much lower than what is typically seen in regular Express Entry draws. This is because the draw was category-based, focusing in particular on candidates with strong French language skills.

Category-based selection allows IRCC to invite candidates who meet specific economic or linguistic preferences. French-language draws often result in lower CRS scores and higher invitation numbers.

Canada continues to prioritize French speakers to strengthen bilingual communities across the country, especially outside of Quebec.

As a result, candidates who demonstrate strong French skills often have a better chance of receiving an invitation, even with a low CRS score.

Who is eligible for the French language skills category?

To be eligible for this French language proficiency category, candidates must meet specific language requirements. You must have a French language test result showing a minimum score of 7 in all four language skills. These abilities are reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Points must be based on the Niveaux de competence linguistique canadien (NCLC) scale. Approved tests include TEF Canada and TCF Canada.

You must also be eligible under one of the three Express Entry programs. These are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Meeting the French language threshold does not guarantee an invitation. You must still rank high enough in the pool of qualified candidates.

March 2026 Summary of draw for Express Entry

IRCC has been very active in the first week of March. Three Express Entry draws have already taken place.

Draw 401 on March 4, aiming at proficiency in French. It issued 5,500 invitations with a CRS limit of 397.

Draw 400 on March 3 aimed at the Canadian Experience Class. It issued 4,000 invitations with a CRS limit of 508.

Draw 399 on March 2 aimed at the provincial nomination event. It issued 264 invitations with a CRS limit of 710.

A total of 9,764 ITAs in just three draws indicates a strong immigration target for 2026.

What happens after receiving the invitation

Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) have 60 days to submit their complete application for permanent residence.

Applicants must upload all required documents by this deadline, including:

• police certificate
• medical test results
• Proof of funds (if required)
• employment reference letter
• educational documents

The processing time varies depending on the application and program. However, most Express Entry applications are processed within about six months.

Once approved, applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), which allows them to travel to Canada and complete the landing process. After landing, they officially become permanent residents of Canada.

What Is the Canadian Experience Class Draw

4,000 candidates were invited to the Canadian Experience Class draw on March 3. This category targets people who are already working in Canada.

CEC candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3). This experience must be acquired within three years before you apply. The CRS limit of 508 is specific to CEC specific draws. Cutoffs are higher in these draws as candidates with Canadian experience often have a stronger profile.

Understanding the Provincial Nominee Program Draw

The highest CRS claim was 710 in the March 2nd PNP draw. This is normal for provincial nomination draws. Candidates with provincial nominations are automatically given a head start of 600 points. Due to this, in most cases their score reaches above 700. Only 264 invitations were sent out in this draw. The PNP draws are smaller because the pool of nominated candidates is limited.

What to expect in the coming weeks

Based on the current pattern, there are likely to be more Express Entry draws soon around 16-18. March.

IRCC has held several draws per week, mostly every other week. Withdrawal of French language skills can continue with the same CRS limit. French speakers are still in demand. CEC and PNP draws are likely to continue. These provide opportunities for candidates with Canadian experience or provincial nomination.

March has started on a strong note with a total of 9,764 invitations issued across the three draws. IRCC appears committed to meeting Canada’s 2026 immigration targets. If you have French language skills, now is an excellent time to submit your Express Entry profile. Category-based selection gives a significant advantage to qualified candidates. Professional guidance from experienced consultants like Idea Immigration can make the process smoother and significantly increase your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an Express Entry draw?

An Express Entry draw is when Canada invites top candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residency.

2. How many invitations were issued in the March 4 draw?

A total of 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued.

3. What is the CRS score?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system used to rank Express Entry candidates based on age, education, work experience, and language ability.

4. How long does the Express Entry process take?

After submitting a complete PR application, processing typically takes around six months.

5. How can I increase my chances of getting an ITA?

You can improve your chances by increasing language scores, gaining more work experience, or obtaining a provincial nomination.

8. Do I need an immigration consultant?

It is not mandatory, but working with an experienced consultant like Idea Immigration can help avoid mistakes and improve the success rate of your application.