Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held an Express Entry draw on March 16, 2026 for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The draw issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) and the CRS cutoff was 742. The tie-breaking rule was October 5, 2025 at 20:35:25 UTC.
Official draw source: Express Entry rounds of invitations (IRCC).
Key details of the March 16, 2026 draw
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Date: March 16, 2026
- Invitations issued: 362
- CRS cutoff: 742
- Tie-breaking rule: October 5, 2025 at 20:35:25 UTC
Why PNP CRS cutoffs are usually above 700
PNP draws often show very high CRS cutoffs because a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points under the “additional points” section of the CRS. That bonus is why nominated candidates frequently appear above 700 even if their base CRS score is much lower.
Official CRS criteria (provincial nomination points): CRS criteria (IRCC).
What invited candidates should do next
If you received an ITA, you must submit your complete permanent residence application within the deadline shown in your IRCC account (most Express Entry ITAs require submission within 60 days). Missing documents or inconsistencies can delay processing or lead to refusal.
Official next steps: Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry (IRCC).
Internal guidance for Canadianow readers
- Check your score using Canadianow’s CRS calculator.
- If you are exploring provincial nomination pathways, start here: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Reality check
This was a PNP-only draw. A CRS cutoff of 742 does not mean non-PNP candidates need 700+ to get invited. It mainly reflects how the CRS system adds 600 points for a nomination. If you do not have a nomination, your strategy should focus on improving core CRS factors (language, education, Canadian work experience) and exploring PNP options that fit your profile.
