New Express Entry Draw On March 4 Just Sent 5,500 PR Invitations

Last Updated On 4 March 2026, 1:04 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a massive Express Entry draw on March 4, 2026, sending 5,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence.

This was a category-based draw targeting candidates with high French-language proficiency.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was just 397 points.

March is shaping up to be an exceptional month for Express Entry candidates. IRCC has already issued 9,764 invitations in the last three days.

Express Entry Draw Details for March 4, 2026

Here are the complete details of the latest Express Entry draw.

Draw number: 401
Date: March 4, 2026
Category: French-Language proficiency 2026
Number of invitations issued: 5,500
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 397
Tie-breaking rule: October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC

How the Tie-Breaking Rule Works

When multiple candidates have the same CRS score, IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule. This determines who receives an invitation first.

The tie-breaking rule uses the timestamp of profile submission. Candidates who submitted their profiles earlier have priority.

For the March 4 draw, the tie-breaking date was October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC. Only candidates who submitted before this time would receive an ITA if they had exactly 397 points.

Why the CRS Score Is So Low

The 397 CRS cutoff is remarkably low compared to general draws. This is because category-based draws target specific candidate profiles.

French-language proficiency draws consistently produce lower CRS scores and high number of invitations.

IRCC prioritizes French speakers to support bilingualism goals across Canada.

Candidates who can demonstrate strong French skills have a significant advantage.

They can receive ITAs even with lower overall CRS scores.

Who Is Eligible for the French-Language Proficiency Category

To be eligible for this category, candidates must meet specific language requirements.

You must have French-language test results showing a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities.

These abilities are reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

The scores must be based on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale. Accepted tests include the TEF Canada and TCF Canada.

You must also be eligible under one of the three Express Entry programs. These are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

Meeting the French language threshold does not guarantee an invitation. You still need to rank high enough within the pool of eligible candidates.

March 2026 Express Entry Draws Summary

IRCC has been very active in the first week of March. Three Express Entry draws have already taken place.

Draw 401 on March 4, targeting French-language proficiency. It issued 5,500 invitations with a CRS cutoff of 397.

Draw 400 on March 3 targeted the Canadian Experience Class. It issued 4,000 invitations with a CRS cutoff of 508.

Draw 399 on March 2 targeted the Provincial Nominee Program. It issued 264 invitations with a CRS cutoff of 710.

The combined total of 9,764 ITAs in just three draws signals strong immigration targets for 2026.

This pace suggests IRCC is committed to meeting its annual intake goals.

What Is the Canadian Experience Class Draw

The Canadian Experience Class draw on March 3 invited 4,000 candidates. This category targets people already working in Canada.

CEC candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada. This experience must be gained within three years before applying.

The CRS cutoff of 508 is typical for CEC-specific draws. These draws tend to have higher cutoffs because candidates with Canadian experience often have stronger profiles.

Understanding the Provincial Nominee Program Draw

The PNP draw on March 2 had the highest CRS requirement at 710. This is normal for provincial nominee draws.

Candidates with a provincial nomination receive an automatic 600-point boost. This pushes their scores well above 700 in most cases.

Only 264 invitations were issued in this draw. PNP draws tend to be smaller because the pool of nominated candidates is limited.

What Happens After Receiving an ITA

Candidates who receive an invitation have 60 days to submit their application. This deadline is strictly enforced.

You must provide all required documents within this period. These include police certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds.

Processing times vary depending on the program. Most Express Entry applications are processed within six months.

Once approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. You can then complete your landing and become a Canadian permanent resident.

What to Expect in Coming Weeks

Based on current patterns, more Express Entry draws are likely soon around March 16-18.

IRCC has been conducting multiple draws per week, mostly on a biweekly basis.

French-language proficiency draws may continue with similar CRS cutoffs. The demand for French speakers remains high.

CEC and PNP draws will likely continue as well. These provide opportunities for candidates with Canadian experience or provincial nominations.

Candidates should keep their profiles active and documents ready. Invitations can arrive with little advance notice.

The March 4, 2026 Express Entry draw invited 5,500 French-language proficiency candidates.

The CRS cutoff of 397 makes this an excellent opportunity for French speakers.

March has started strong with 9,764 total invitations issued in three draws. IRCC appears committed to meeting Canada’s 2026 immigration targets.

If you have French language skills, now is an excellent time to submit your Express Entry profile.

Category-based selection provides a significant advantage for eligible candidates.

Keep monitoring IRCC announcements for upcoming draws. Your invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence could arrive any day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the CRS score for the March 4, 2026 Express Entry draw?

The CRS cutoff for the March 4, 2026 Express Entry draw was 397 points. This was a French-language proficiency category-based draw that issued 5,500 invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

How many invitations were issued in the March 4 Express Entry draw?

IRCC issued 5,500 invitations to apply in the March 4, 2026 Express Entry draw. This was a category-based draw targeting candidates with French-language proficiency under the 2026-Version 2 category.

How many Express Entry invitations were issued in March 2026 so far?

IRCC has issued 9,764 Express Entry invitations in March 2026 through the first four days. This includes 5,500 in the French-language draw, 4,000 in the Canadian Experience Class draw, and 264 in the Provincial Nominee Program draw.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.