Canada's Express Entry system continues to be the primary pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residence. March 2026 has seen interesting trends in both general and category-based draws.
March 2026 Draw Summary
The first general draw of March issued 1,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a CRS cut-off of 524. The second draw focused on STEM professionals under the category-based selection, with 500 ITAs at a lower CRS cut-off of 481. A third draw targeting French-language proficiency candidates issued 750 ITAs at 410 CRS.
CRS Score Trends
General draw CRS scores have been trending upward since late 2024, rising from the 480-500 range to 520+. This is partly due to accumulated inventory from periods when draws were paused. However, category-based draws continue to offer lower entry points for qualified candidates in healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture.
How to Improve Your CRS Score
Language scores have the highest impact — retaking IELTS or CELPIP to score even one band higher across all sections can add 20-50 CRS points. A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination adds 600 points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA. Canadian work experience, a master's degree, and young age (under 30) are also significant score boosters.
Category-Based Selection: What You Need to Know
Since 2023, IRCC has been conducting category-based draws targeting occupations in shortage. Healthcare workers, STEM professionals, tradespeople, transport workers, and agriculture/agri-food workers receive targeted invitations. French-language speakers also benefit from dedicated draws.
Timeline After Receiving an ITA
Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your complete application. This includes police clearance certificates (which can take 4-8 weeks to obtain), a medical exam from a panel physician, and proof of funds. Start gathering these documents while your profile is in the pool.
Prediction for Upcoming Draws
Based on current trends and IRCC's 2026 immigration targets of 485,000 permanent residents, we expect continued high-volume draws. General draw CRS scores may stabilize around 500-530, while category-based draws should continue offering opportunities at lower scores.
MyDocStatus Team
Our editorial team researches and verifies information from official government sources to bring you accurate, up-to-date guides on document services worldwide.