Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada concluded its March 2026 program with a smaller Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw.
In the Express Entry draw held on March 31, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 2,250 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence (PR) to Express Entry candidates with Canadian work experience.
In this Express Entry draw, the CRS cutoff is 509. It is seen that the CRS cutoff increases slightly compared to the previous Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class because fewer invitations were issued.
Here is everything you need to know about this latest Express Entry draw and what to expect in the coming days.
March 31, 2026 Express Entry CEC Draw Results
| Draw Detail | Information |
| Draw Type | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Number of Invitations Issued | 2,250 |
| Minimum CRS Score Required | 509 |
| Rank Required to Be Invited | 2,250 or Above |
| Date and Time of Draw | March 31, 2026 |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | March 18, 2026 at 08:27:11 UTC |
How the Tie-Breaking Rule Works
If there are more than one candidates with the same cut-off score of 509, then tie-breaking is based on the time stamp when profiles were submitted.
For this draw, candidates with a cut-off score of exactly 509 were invited only if they had submitted their Express Entry profiles before March 18, 2026 at 08:27:11 UTC.
This is a relatively recent time stamp for tie-breaking, implying a new pool of candidates at the 509 level.
Why the CRS Cutoff Increased to 509
The cut-off score of 509 is one point higher than in the previous draw by the CEC held on March 17.
This is directly related to the fewer invitations given out in this draw.
The draw by the CEC held on March 17 gave out 4,000 invitations, while the draw held on March 31 gave out 2,250 invitations.
This is because when fewer invitations are given out by the IRCC, the cut-off score increases as only a certain number of people at the top of the pool are given invitations.
As there were 1,750 fewer invitations given out in this draw compared to the previous one, a slightly higher cut-off score was required.
Recent CEC Express Entry Draws Comparison
| Draw Date | Invitations | CRS Cutoff |
| March 3, 2026 | 4,000 | 508 |
| March 17, 2026 | 4,000 | 507 |
| March 31, 2026 | 2,250 (↓1,750) | 509 (↑2) |
The pattern is obvious: the higher the draws, the lower the cut-off, and the smaller the draws, the higher the cut-off.
The pattern is obvious: the higher the draws, the lower the cut-off, and the smaller the draws, the higher the cut-off.
The applicants who were not successful in the latest draw, which had a CRS score between 508 and 509, might have had
More Express Entry Draws Expected This Week
According to recent IRCC trends, it is expected that more Express Entry draws will take place in the coming days.
It is expected that a category-based draw will take place tomorrow or later in the week, which could result in up to 1,750 invitations being sent to candidates in specific occupation categories.
This assumption is made on the assumption that one of the reasons why IRCC decided to reduce the number of ITAs in today’s draw could have been to offset one of the category-based occupation draws that will take place this week.
Category-based draws usually target healthcare professionals, STEM workers, trade workers, transport workers, or education professionals.
Apart from the category-based draw, it is also expected that a French language proficiency draw will take place this week. French draws have consistently offered lower CRS scores in 2026. Draws have been offering scores ranging from 390-400 in recent weeks. Candidates who have CLB 7 or more in French should have their profiles ready.
What Candidates Must Do Next
The 2,250 candidates who receive the invitations have exactly 60 days to submit complete permanent residence applications.
The required documents include police certificates, immigration medical examinations, proof of funds, employment letters confirming work experience in Canada, and valid language test results.
Failure to meet the 60-day deadline means the invitation will expire, and the Express Entry process must begin again from scratch.
Applicants scoring less than 509 on the CRS should take language tests again to achieve higher scores.
Every level of CLB can add significant points to your overall CRS score.
Applicants can also opt for a provincial nomination, which can add 600 points to your overall score, virtually guaranteeing your spot in the draw regardless of your original CRS score.
Applicants who have French language skills should ensure they have valid TEF or TCF results to participate in French language category draws with lower scores.