Canada has just completed Express Entry Draw #399, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)–only round that invited 264 high‑scoring candidates with a minimum CRS of 710 on March 2, 2026.
Express Entry Draw #399 at a glance
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) only.
- Draw number: 399.
- Date and time of round: March 2, 2026 at 14:18:39 UTC.
- Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 264.
- CRS score of lowest‑ranked candidate invited: 710.
- Rank required: 264 or above in the PNP group.
- Tie‑breaking rule: Profiles at 710 needed to be submitted on or before August 7, 2025 at 18:02:56 UTC.
Because a valid provincial nomination gives an automatic 600 CRS points, most invited candidates in this draw likely had base scores around 110 before their nomination was added.
What this PNP draw tells us about Express Entry in 2026
This was the fifth PNP‑specific Express Entry draw of 2026 and the eleventh draw overall this year, as IRCC continues to alternate between PNP, CEC, category‑based, and general rounds. It was also the first Express Entry draw of March, coming just one day before the March 3 CEC‑only draw that invited 4,000 candidates with CRS 508.
The CRS cut‑off of 710 is one of the lower PNP thresholds of 2026 so far, following earlier PNP cut‑offs of 711, 746, 749, and 789, which again reflects the 600‑point boost awarded by provincial nominations. When PNP draws are small and nomination numbers in the pool are limited, scores tend to remain high, because IRCC is pulling only from a narrow group of already‑selected provincial nominees.
Who was invited in Draw #399?
To receive an ITA in this PNP‑only draw, candidates needed to:
- Have an active Express Entry profile and a valid provincial or territorial nomination.
- Hold a CRS score of at least 710, including the 600 points for provincial nomination.
- If at 710 exactly, have submitted their Express Entry profile on or before August 7, 2025 at 18:02:56 UTC, under the tie‑breaking rule.
If you meet these conditions, you should see a new Invitation to Apply in your IRCC account and will typically have 60 days to submit your complete permanent residence application.
Why provincial nomination matters so much (for students and global applicants)
For many skilled workers, international students, and applicants abroad, a provincial nomination is one of the most powerful ways to secure an invitation through Express Entry. Key reasons include:
- A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your existing score, almost guaranteeing an ITA in a PNP‑specific or general draw.
- Provinces design their own streams targeting specific occupations, language skills, or ties to the province (such as previous work or study), which can create pathways even when your base CRS is modest.
- Many PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry, meaning that once nominated, you enter the pool as a priority candidate for rounds like Draw #399.
For international students and workers in Canada, strong provincial pathways exist in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and others, often tailored to graduates, in‑demand occupations, or French‑speaking candidates.
How to position yourself for future PNP draws
Whether you are already in Canada or abroad, there are concrete steps you can take to become a competitive PNP candidate for upcoming Express Entry rounds:
- Research province‑specific PNP streams that match your profile (occupation, language, work or study location, and family ties).
- Improve your base CRS score through language, education, and work experience so that you are more attractive for provincial selection even before the 600‑point boost.
- If you are studying or working in Canada, build ties to the province where you want to settle, such as working in in‑demand roles or gaining local Canadian education.
- Keep your Express Entry profile updated and accurate so that provinces can find you when they search the pool for candidates to nominate.
Many observers expect more PNP‑specific draws throughout 2026, alongside large CEC and category‑based rounds, meaning provincial programs will remain a central part of Canada’s immigration strategy this year.
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