Canada Invites 362 Candidates in Latest PNP Express Entry Draw

Key Takeaways  

Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)  

Invitations issued: 362

Minimum CRS score: 742

Tie-breaking rule: October 05, 2025 at 20:35:25 UTC

Prediction for next draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on March 17. Check our dedicated page for more on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw. 

Our Analysis of this Express Entry draw 

The draw today, March 16, is the sixth PNP draw of 2026 and invited 362 candidates with a provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742 to get an invitation. 

The number of ITAs today is an increase over recent draws, but smaller PNP draws are not surprising. On March 2, we saw just 264 candidates issued an ITA. 

The Express Entry pool is a major reason why. As of March 1, there were just 258 candidates in the Express Entry pool with a score higher than 601. Provincial nomination automatically adds 600 CRS points to your score, so even PNP candidates who would have had a low CRS otherwise, would be in this very small group.  

Despite the shallow pool, the number of PNP candidates invited in 2026 is more or less on par with what we saw in 2025. By this time last year, 2,833 PNP candidates had been invited. This year we are seeing smaller, although more frequent, draws. It can seem counterintuitive given the PNP admissions target for 2026 is higher than we saw in 2025.  

However, there is currently a significant backlog for PNP allocations with approximately 12,400 Express Entry PNP applications waiting, in addition to the 108,300 non-Express Entry PNP applications. Considering the overall permanent resident admission target is 91,500 for PNP candidates, technically IRCC could hit its PNP admission target without holding a single PNP draw this year. 

What does this mean for Express Entry candidates? 

While it’s possible that PNP draws will be smaller this year, considering the size of the pool for scores over 601, and IRCC’s continued focused on candidates already in Canada, applying for a Provincial Nomination could still be an advantageous move.  

Every province and territory in Canada (except Quebec and Nunavut) has a PNP program. These programs offer multiple streams to attract candidates based on occupation, education, or skilled work. If you are already eligible for Express Entry, it’s very possible you could also be eligible to apply for one of these streams and, if you are successful, get those extra 600 points which all but guarantees an ITA. 

Keep in mind though, if you are successful in getting an ITA through a PNP draw, you are likely to wait at least seven months for your application to be processed.  

Further Resources for PNP Candidates     

For more information:    

• Track PNPs with our Live PNP tracker    
• Learn more about PNPs in our beginner’s guide