The first Express Entry draw of February 2026 was done on Monday by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) where only provincial-nominated candidates received 423 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
The Provincial Nominee Program draw had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System of 749, which cemented the significance of PNP draws.
The draw is occasioned with the Express Entry pool having increased to 238920 candidates as of February 2, 2026, which is a clear indication of stiff competition in acquiring permanent Canadian residence.
February 3, 2026 Express Entry Draw Details
| Draw Component | Details |
| Program | Provincial Nominee Program |
| Date and Time | February 3, 2026 |
| Number of Invitations Issued | 423 |
| CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate | 749 |
| Rank Required | 423 or above |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | December 16, 2025 at 22:30:36 UTC |
The tie-breaking policy states that in case two or more candidates had the lowest CRS score of 749, the invitations were extended to the applicants who had their Express Entry profiles the earliest.
The December 16, 2025 cutoff time of 22:30:36 UTC implies that, any candidate that scored 749 but had registered their profile after this date and time would not have been invited in this draw.
Understanding The 749 CRS Cutoff
The CRS score of 749 may appear to be an incredibly high score to applicants in the Express Entry pool, but this 600 point increase is the benefit that provincial nominations give.
In real life, the winners of this draw must have had base CRS scores of about 149 points without the provincial nomination bonus.
Here is how the math works:
- Base CRS Score (without nomination): ~149+ points
- Provincial Nomination Bonus: +600 points
- Total CRS Score Required: 749 points
It proves that the permanent residence invitation can be obtained by even the candidates with relatively low core CRS scores via the Provincial Nominee Program channel.
The 600 points nomination bonus is an effective way of ensuring an invitation to apply and PNP is therefore one of the most effective ways of securing permanent residence in Canada.
Express Entry Pool Composition As Of February 2, 2026
By February 2, 2026, the Express Entry pool had 238,920 applicants, which is a figure that almost equates to permanent residency of nearly a quarter million skilled workers vying to be permanent residents of Canada.
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
| 601-1200 (includes PNP nominees) | 423 |
| 501-600 | 14,911 |
| 491-500 | 13,586 |
| 481-490 | 13,417 |
| 471-480 | 16,617 |
| 461-470 | 15,791 |
| 451-460 | 15,400 |
| 451-500 (Total) | 74,811 |
| 441-450 | 14,700 |
| 431-440 | 14,923 |
| 421-430 | 13,267 |
| 411-420 | 13,197 |
| 401-410 | 12,175 |
| 401-450 (Total) | 68,262 |
| 351-400 | 53,276 |
| 301-350 | 18,949 |
| 0-300 | 8,288 |
| TOTAL | 238,920 |
What The Pool Numbers Tell Us
The pool composition shows the following crucial things to the Express Entry candidates:
- Highest buildup in 451-500 Range: Nearly 75,000 candidates are clustered between 451-500 CRS points. These candidates are close to but below typical Canadian Experience Class cutoffs.
- Limited High-Score Candidates: Only 423 candidates currently have scores above 600, almost all of whom have provincial nominations. This explains why PNP draws are conducted so quickly.
- Massive Mid-Tier Pool: More than 68,000 candidates sit in the 401-450 range. These applicants likely need either a provincial nomination, category-based draw eligibility (French, healthcare, trades), or significant CRS improvement to receive invitations.
- Growing Lower Tiers: Over 80,000 candidates have scores below 400, representing individuals who will need alternative pathways or substantial profile improvements.
The first Express Entry draw of February 2026 presents an idea of what the applicants will be able to anticipate in the nearest future.
As category based selection with IRCC continues to focus on the Express Entry pool which has nearly reached 239,000 candidates, the level of competition is intense.
Applicants that are not nominated at the provincial level should target:
- Improving language scores to reach CLB 9 for maximum CRS points
- Learning French to qualify for French-language draws with lower cutoffs
- Actively pursuing provincial nominations across multiple provinces
- Positioning for category-based draws in healthcare, education, or skilled trades
- Ensuring their Express Entry profiles are complete and error-free
The fact that 423 people were invited in this draw shows that permanent residence in Canada is still a possibility, but it takes more and more strategic planning instead of waiting.
Individuals that fit into the category-based selection model and seek provincial nominations are realizing the quickest routes to their Canadian immigration targets.