POSTED by Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB | March 30, 2026 | 11:15 AM EDT | VG Immigration Services Canada
Canada has held a new Express Entry draw today, and this round was specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In round #406, IRCC issued 356 invitations to apply, and the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 802.
March 30, 2026 draw results
According to the official Ministerial Instructions published by IRCC, this Express Entry round took place on March 30, 2026 at 10:49:36 UTC. The round was limited to Provincial Nominee Program candidates, with 356 invitations issued to candidates ranked 356 or above. IRCC confirmed that the CRS cut-off for this draw was 802, and the tie-breaking rule used was February 12, 2026 at 3:54:03 UTC.
What this PNP draw means
A PNP-only draw usually produces a very high CRS score because provincial nominees receive a large CRS boost through their nomination. Today’s result continues that pattern, with the cut-off landing at 802, which clearly shows this was not a general Express Entry draw, a CEC draw, or a category-based healthcare or French-language round.
For candidates without a provincial nomination, this draw should not be viewed as a sign that regular non-PNP CRS scores have suddenly jumped into the 800s. Instead, it confirms that IRCC is still using different round types throughout the year, including general rounds, program-specific rounds, and category-based rounds.
What could happen next
IRCC states that it holds rounds throughout the year and first chooses the round type, then decides the number of candidates to invite, identifies the highest-ranking eligible candidates for that round, and issues invitations. The same official page also says Canada continues to invite provincial nominees through general rounds and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.
That means attention now shifts to whether IRCC follows this PNP round with another round targeting a different group, such as a general, program-specific, or category-based selection. While IRCC has not published the next draw date on the official page, candidates should closely monitor upcoming Express Entry rounds because the government confirms that invitations are issued in rounds throughout the year.
IRCC has officially conducted a new Express Entry draw on March 30, 2026, and this time the round targeted candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program. In Express Entry draw #406, the department issued 356 invitations to apply for permanent residence, with the minimum CRS score set at 802.
The official Ministerial Instructions show that the round took place at 10:49:36 UTC on March 30, 2026. IRCC also confirmed that the tie-breaking rule for this round was February 12, 2026 at 3:54:03 UTC, which means candidates with the minimum score were ranked based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
This was a PNP-specific round, not a general Express Entry draw. That distinction matters because PNP candidates typically have much higher CRS scores after receiving a provincial nomination, which is why today’s cut-off reached 802.
For many candidates in the regular Express Entry pool, this result may look alarming at first glance, but it should be interpreted correctly. A PNP draw does not reflect the likely cut-off for Canadian Experience Class, healthcare, French-language, or general rounds because IRCC runs different types of invitation rounds and selects candidates based on the eligibility rules of each round.
IRCC explains that rounds of invitations happen throughout the year, and the department first decides the type of round, then the number of invitations, then identifies the top-ranking eligible candidates in that group. The official Express Entry rounds page also notes that Canada continues inviting candidates with provincial or territorial nominations through both general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.
Today’s draw is therefore important for candidates who already hold a provincial nomination or who are actively pursuing one through Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or another province. For everyone else, the message is simple: a provincial nomination remains one of the strongest ways to secure an Express Entry invitation because it can move a profile far above standard non-PNP CRS ranges.
If you are trying to improve your chances under Express Entry, this draw is a reminder that strategy matters just as much as score. Candidates should review whether they are eligible for a provincial nominee stream, whether their NOC aligns with current labour demand, and whether their Express Entry profile is complete and competitive before the next round is announced.
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