Canada Targets In-Canada Talent Again as 2,250 CEC Candidates Invited in Final March Express Entry Draw

By Vikrant Singh, April 07, 2026

Canada has wrapped up March with another strong signal to in-country talent, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw held on March 31, 2026.

This latest round reinforces a clear 2026 trend: Canada is prioritizing candidates already working and living in the country.

Key Highlights of the March 31 CEC Draw

• Invitations Issued: 2,250

• Minimum CRS Score: 509

• Profile Submission Deadline: Before March 18, 2026 at 8:27 a.m. UTC

• Draw Type: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

While the CRS cut-off remains relatively high, the consistent volume of invitations under the CEC category continues to benefit candidates with Canadian work experience.

Express Entry Draws – March & April 2026 Snapshot

Date	Draw Type	CRS Score	ITAs Issued
April 2	Trades	477	3,000
March 31	Canadian Experience Class	509	2,250
March 30	Provincial Nominee Program	802	356
March 18	French-Language Proficiency	393	4,000
March 17	Canadian Experience Class	507	4,000
March 16	Provincial Nominee Program	742	362
March 5	Senior Managers (Canadian Experience)	429	250
March 4	French-Language Proficiency	397	5,500
March 3	Canadian Experience Class	508	4,000
March 2	Provincial Nominee Program	710	264

2026 Express Entry Trends So Far

This latest draw marks:

• 19th Express Entry draw of 2026

• 6th CEC-specific draw this year
  

Canada’s immigration strategy in 2026 is becoming increasingly focused on targeted draws, particularly favoring:

• Candidates with Canadian work experience (CEC)

• Applicants with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations

• French-speaking candidates

Number of Draws by Category (2026)

Draw Type	Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program	7
Canadian Experience Class	6
French-Language Proficiency	3
Physicians (Canadian Experience)	1
Healthcare & Social Services	1
Senior Managers	1
Trades	1

Total ITAs Issued in 2026 (So Far)

Canada has already issued a total of 55,830 ITAs this year:

Draw Type	ITAs Issued
Canadian Experience Class	30,250
French-Language Proficiency	18,000
Healthcare & Social Services	4,000
Trades	3,000
Provincial Nominee Program	2,939
Physicians (Canadian Experience)	391
Senior Managers	250

What This Means for Applicants

The message from IRCC is clear:Candidates already in Canada are at a strong advantage in 2026.

With frequent CEC draws and large invitation numbers, those with:

• Canadian work experience

• Strong CRS scores (500+)

• Active Express Entry profiles

are seeing consistent opportunities to secure permanent residency.

Final Takeaway

The final March draw underscores a strategic shift—Canada is doubling down on retaining skilled talent already contributing to its economy.

For prospective immigrants, the roadmap is becoming clearer:

• Gain Canadian work experience

• Strengthen CRS scores

• Stay active in the Express Entry pool
  

As 2026 progresses, attention will remain on whether IRCC continues this trend or expands opportunities to overseas applicants.

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