Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held two consecutive Express Entry draws on March 4 and March 5, 2026, issuing a combined 5,750 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. Draw #401 targeted candidates with French-language proficiency, while draw #402 focused on senior managers with Canadian work experience.
Draw #401: French-Language Proficiency (March 4, 2026)
On March 4, 2026, IRCC issued 5,500 ITAs under the French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 397. The tie-breaking rule was set at October 10, 2025 at 18:18:20 UTC, meaning that among candidates with the same CRS score, those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this date and time received an invitation.
This category-based draw is part of Canada’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Francophone immigration outside of Quebec. Eligible candidates must have achieved a minimum score of NCLC 7 or higher in all four language skill areas on an approved French-language test, with results less than two years old. This was the second version of the French-language proficiency category for 2026, following draw #394 on February 6 which issued 8,500 ITAs at a CRS score of 400.
Draw #402: Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience (March 5, 2026)
The following day, on March 5, 2026, IRCC held draw #402 under the Senior managers with Canadian Work Experience, 2026-Version 1 category, issuing 250 ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 429. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was set at August 19, 2025 at 15:10:18 UTC.
This was the first draw under the senior managers category for 2026. To qualify, candidates must have accumulated at least one year of full-time work experience in Canada within the past three years in one of four senior management occupations: senior managers in financial, communications and other business services; senior managers in health, education, social and community services; senior managers in trade, broadcasting and other services; or senior managers in construction, transportation, production and utilities.
The stated economic goal of this category is to contribute to Canada’s long-term economic success by retaining top talent with Canadian work experience. With a relatively high CRS cut-off of 429 and only 250 invitations, this draw was significantly more selective than the French-language proficiency draw held the day before.
What This Means for Express Entry Candidates
These back-to-back draws demonstrate IRCC’s continued use of category-based selection to target specific economic priorities. Candidates with strong French-language skills or senior management experience in Canada may benefit from these specialized draws, which often feature lower CRS requirements than general program draws. Prospective applicants should ensure their Express Entry profiles are up to date and that all supporting documentation, including language test results and employment records, is current and accurate.
