The third Express Entry draw was held in February, 2026, by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) where 279 invitations to apply (ITAs) to permanent residency were issued.
The second round of invitations was aimed at active Express Entry profiles with a provincial nomination by one of the Canadian provinces.
A score cutoff of 789 (also known as Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS score cutoff) was an increment of 40 out of 100 points against the last PNP draw at the start of February.
Below are the details of the Express Entry draw today.
Summary of Express Entry Draw on February 16, 2026
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program
- Date and time: February 16, 2026
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 789
- Number of invitations issued: 279
- Rank needed: 279 or above
- Tie-breaking rule: September 05, 2025 at 0:59:13 UTC
The increase in the CRS cutoff score in the current draw is attributed to the fact that few ITAs were issued in the current draw compared to the 423 ITAs issued in the February 3rd PNP draw.
| Date | Round type | Invitations issued | CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 16, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 279 | 789 |
| February 6, 2026 | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 | 8,500 | 400 |
| February 3, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 423 | 749 |
The amount of ITAs that IRCC has sent this month to date is 9,202 and we still have not had a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw.
The CRS cutoff score will soar above 511 with the CEC round of invitations this week assuming that the CEC draw starts at the start of February 2026.
Latest CRS Score Distribution In The Pool
Below is the latest CRS score distribution in the pool as of February 15, 2026 and a comparison with the previous snapshot of February 2, 2026
| CRS score range | Number of candidates as of Feb 15, 2026 | Number of candidates as of Feb 2, 2026 | Change |
| 601-1200 | 280 | 423 | -143 |
| 501-600 | 16,559 | 14,911 | 1,648 |
| 451-500 | 73,609 | 74,811 | -1,202 |
| 491-500 | 13,504 | 13,586 | -82 |
| 481-490 | 13,248 | 13,417 | -169 |
| 471-480 | 16,531 | 16,617 | -86 |
| 461-470 | 15,426 | 15,791 | -365 |
| 451-460 | 14,900 | 15,400 | -500 |
| 401-450 | 64,305 | 68,262 | -3,957 |
| 441-450 | 14,142 | 14,700 | -558 |
| 431-440 | 14,239 | 14,923 | -684 |
| 421-430 | 12,425 | 13,267 | -842 |
| 411-420 | 12,183 | 13,197 | -1,014 |
| 401-410 | 11,316 | 12,175 | -859 |
| 351-400 | 53,650 | 53,276 | 374 |
| 301-350 | 19,009 | 18,949 | 60 |
| 0-300 | 8,283 | 8,288 | -5 |
| Total | 235,695 | 238,920 | -3,225 |
Expert Tips To Secure A Provincial Nomination In 2026
For candidates looking to secure a provincial nomination and add 600 points to their CRS score, here are the most effective strategies for 2026:
1. Research Multiple Provinces Simultaneously
Do not confine yourself to any one province. All the provinces possess diverse eligibility requirements, list of occupation, and processing time.
You want to apply to a variety of PNP streams that you qualify in.
Other leading provinces that have active streams of Express Entry include British Columbia (Skills Immigration), Alberta (Alberta Express Entry Stream), Saskatchewan (International Skilled Worker), Manitoba ( Skilled Worker Overseas ) and Nova Scotia (Labour Market Priorities).
2. Indicate Interest In Best Provinces For Your Express Entry Profile
In filling in your Express Entry profile, select your interest whether you would like to be contacted by provinces.
Other provinces such as Alberta access the Express Entry pool and dispatch Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to those candidates who qualified as per their set standards.
Without your indication of interest, you cannot be found and contacted by provinces. This is an easy measure and would not cost anything but may open doors.
3. Target Provinces With Your Occupation In Demand
The list of in-demand occupations is kept in each province. These lists need to be checked regularly and they vary depending on labour market requirements.
The higher your prospects of a nomination are, the more specifically targeted is your occupation by a province.
To illustrate, healthcare professionals can have superior opportunities in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, whereas tech experts can aim at British Columbia or Ontario.
4. Consider Working Or Studying In Your Target Province
Most of the PNP streams prefer or give priority to the candidates that are currently employed or have studied within the province.
In case, one can use the example of Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream, which involves one year of experience of working in Nova Scotia.
Provided you are able to obtain a work permit and provincial experience, you have a high probability of getting nominated and can even access streams that overseas applicants cannot.
5. Ensure Your Language Scores Meet Provincial Requirements
Even though Express Entry has minimum language requirements, numerous PNP streams include their thresholds that can be higher.
The majority of streams need CLB 5-7 based on the TEER of your occupation.
With the CLB 7 and above on all abilities, the number of provincial streams becomes the most extensive.
In case you have borderline scores, then reshoot your language test and apply.
6. Demonstrate Genuine Intent To Settle In The Nominating Province
Candidates are nominated by provinces and they are supposed to reside and work in their area of jurisdiction.
Thankfully, in your application, you must clearly show the reasons for your intention to settle in that particular province.
Learn about the province’s economy, employment, and societies.
In case you have any family ties, job opportunities or past visits to the province, point them out.
Nomination refusal is often caused by weak settlement intent.
7. Monitor PNP Draw Patterns And Apply When Streams Open
Other PNP streams have a first-come, first-served nature and may be filled in hours of their opening.
Register alerts and visit provincial immigration websites on a regular basis.
Once a stream opens, which you are qualified in, apply as soon as possible.
Even a few hours might imply losing a cycle.
8. Prepare Complete And Error-Free Documentation
Application to PNP is usually denied because of incomplete or inconsistent documentation.
Remember to update your documents and ensure they are certified before applying and that they are in line with your Express Entry profile.
These are educational credential tests, language examination outcomes, reference letters with information specific to your job responsibilities as set out in the NOC code, and settlement funds evidence.
It is possible to prepare the documents prior to streams opening so there are faster submissions.
Another reminder that provincial nominations continue to be one of the surest methods of invitation despite general CRS cutoffs seeming impassable is the February 16, 2026 Express Entry PNP draw.
The increased cutoff of 789 represents the larger draw size, not a precipitated change in eligibility, given that the number of issued ITA amounts to only 279.
You may be awaiting a draw at Canadian Experience Class, so keep your profile going, verify your work history and NOC/TEER information is correct and take this opportunity to boost your score by improving language, gaining more experience or spouse strategy where applicable.
Above all, do your provincial nomination plan and act as a pipeline: follow several provinces, have your paper ready, and be fast when the rivers run.
During this week, we will observe the future invitation rounds of IRCC closely and ensure that we update timely when a CEC or any other category-based draw is announced