Canada’s immigration system has maintained its selective approach into February, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations under the Express Entry framework. The latest draw confirms the department’s ongoing emphasis on candidates supported by provincial governments and those already contributing to the Canadian economy.
The most recent selection round was held on February 3, 2026, targeting applicants under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In this draw, IRCC issued 423 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, reinforcing the importance of provincial nominations within Canada’s economic immigration strategy.
Also Read Canada Opens February Express Entry with Fresh PNP Invitations
CRS Threshold Highlights PNP Competitiveness
Candidates selected in the February 3 draw were required to achieve a minimum CRS score of 749, reflecting the substantial advantage provided by a provincial nomination. In addition to the score requirement, only those who had submitted their Express Entry profiles before December 16, 2025, at 10:30 p.m. (UTC) were eligible for consideration.
The elevated CRS cut-off demonstrates how competitive PNP-focused rounds have become. With a nomination awarding 600 additional CRS points, candidates supported by provinces continue to dominate the top ranks of the Express Entry pool.
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IRCC’s 2026 Approach: Precision Over Volume
Since the beginning of 2026, IRCC has opted for a highly targeted draw structure rather than broad all-program selections. Every Express Entry draw conducted this year has been limited to specific immigration categories, primarily Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program applicants.
This method allows immigration authorities to align permanent residence admissions with real-time labor market demands. Provinces are able to nominate individuals in critical occupations, while the federal government ensures faster transitions to permanent residence for temporary residents already settled in Canada.
Recent Express Entry Draw Activity Explained
The February PNP draw follows a similar selection round held on January 20, during which 681 candidates received invitations under the Provincial Nominee Program. That draw recorded a CRS cut-off of 746, slightly lower than February’s threshold, reflecting normal variations in nomination volumes and candidate distribution within the pool.
One day later, on January 21, IRCC conducted a large-scale Canadian Experience Class draw, issuing 6,000 ITAs to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 509. This round significantly expanded opportunities for international graduates and temporary foreign workers already employed in Canada, highlighting IRCC’s priority to retain talent with domestic work experience.
Express Entry Draw Results in 2026
| Draw date | Draw Type | CRS cut-off score | ITAs issued |
| February 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| January 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| January 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| January 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| January 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
The sequence of draws shows a deliberate alternation between federal and provincial pathways, allowing IRCC to balance national immigration objectives with regional workforce requirements.
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Breakdown of Draw Types Conducted This Year
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Canadian Experience Class | 2 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 2 |
Notably, no all-program draws have taken place so far in 2026, indicating a continued pause on broader selections.
Total Invitations Issued So Far in 2026
IRCC has already issued a significant number of invitations within the first weeks of the year, with most ITAs going to candidates who are either living or working in Canada.
| Draw type | ITAs Issued |
| Canadian Experience Class | 14,000 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 1,255 |
In total, 19,478 candidates have received invitations through Express Entry in 2026 to date, reflecting Canada’s focus on efficient economic immigration and long-term workforce integration.
Outlook for Express Entry Applicants
Current Express Entry trends suggest that candidates with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience remain best positioned for selection. Applicants outside Canada or without nomination support may need to consider alternative strategies, such as targeting provincial streams, enhancing language scores, or gaining Canadian employment to improve competitiveness.
As provinces continue to finalize their annual nomination targets, further program-specific draws are expected in the coming weeks, keeping Express Entry highly selective but strategically aligned with Canada’s labor market needs.
