CANADA INVITED 362 PNP CANDIDATES UNDER THE EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW #403
IRCC Increases Selection of Provincial Nominees in Draw #403
On March 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reaffirmed the critical importance of regional immigration by conducting Express Entry Draw #403, specifically targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. In this round, the federal government issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITA), marking an increase in selection volume for this category. This move highlights Canada’s 2026 strategy: strengthening local economies through profiles that already have the direct backing of a province or territory.
Breakdown of Express Entry Draw #403
This technical draw provides essential metrics for candidates looking for the necessary boost to exit the pool:
Draw Date: March 16, 2026.
Targeted Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Number of ITAs Issued: 362.
Minimum CRS Score: 742 points.
Score Trend: The cut-off increased by 32 points compared to the previous PNP-targeted draw, reflecting an influx of high-human-capital profiles in recent provincial nominations.
Tie-breaking Rule: October 05, 2025, at 20:35:25 UTC.
Pool Status: As of March 15, 2026, the system had 231,362 registered profiles.
2026 Totals: Canada has invited a total of 45,224 Express Entry candidates this year, of which 2,583 belong to the PNP category.
The Critical Importance of the "600-Point Bonus"
A score of 742 points confirms that in the current immigration market, a provincial nomination is the deciding factor. Since the PNP automatically grants 600 additional points, candidates selected in this round had base human capital scores starting from just 142 points.
This draw demonstrates that even candidates with profiles that might be considered "low" in the general system—due to factors like age or intermediate English levels—can guarantee their permanent residency if they successfully align with the needs of a specific province. With over 231,000 profiles in the pool, relying solely on a standard score is risky. The winning strategy in 2026 is undoubtedly obtaining provincial support to jump directly to the front of the line.
Secure Your Invitation Through the Provinces
The increase in the score to 742 indicates that provinces are nominating candidates with increasingly competitive profiles. Don't wait for the general cut-off to drop; take control of your immigration process by seeking a nomination.
Is your current score not enough for a general draw? At Global Opportunities, we are experts in identifying the provincial streams that best fit your occupation and experience. We help you manage your profile to obtain those vital 600 points and secure your ITA in the next PNP draw. Contact us today for a provincial strategy evaluation and secure your future in Canada.