First Express Entry Draw of February 2026: 423 Invitations Issued

On February 3, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the first Express Entry draw of February, issuing 423 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. This draw was exclusively targeted at Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, highlighting Canada’s continued focus on meeting regional labour market needs.

Key Highlights of the February 2026 Express Entry Draw

• Draw date: February 3, 2026
• Draw number: 393
• Program targeted: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Invitations issued: 423
• Minimum CRS score: 749
• Tie-breaking rule: December 16, 2025, at 22:30:36 UTC

The CRS cut-off score of 749 may appear exceptionally high at first glance. However, this is expected in PNP-only draws, as candidates receive an automatic 600-point boost through their provincial nomination. As a result, applicants with relatively modest base CRS scores can still secure an invitation once nominated by a province.

Express Entry Draw Comparison – Early 2026

The table below provides an overview of recent Express Entry draws in 2026, showing how CRS scores and invitation volumes differ by program type:

Note: CEC refers to the Canadian Experience Class, which prioritizes candidates with skilled work experience in Canada.

Why Was the CRS Score So High?

High CRS thresholds are typical in PNP-specific draws. Unlike all-program or CEC draws—where CRS scores often fall below 520—PNP draws include candidates who already benefit from the 600 additional CRS points awarded through provincial nomination. This significantly raises the overall cut-off score but does not necessarily indicate increased competition across the entire Express Entry pool.

Current Express Entry Pool Insights

As of early February 2026, the Express Entry pool contains over 238,000 active profiles, making competition particularly intense for candidates with mid-range CRS scores. While applicants below the 400-point range face challenges, those pursuing provincial nomination pathways continue to enjoy a strong advantage.

Strategies to Improve Your CRS Score

• Improve English or French language test results
• Add French language credentials for bonus points
• Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs aligned with your occupation
• Keep your Express Entry profile accurate and up to date

Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2026/02/pnp-express-entry-draw-0269941.html

What This Data Tells Us

Four hundred twenty-three invitations is a small round, and that size is the signal. IRCC was drawing from however many nominations the provinces had issued, not deciding how many people to admit.

The 749 cut-off carries 600 nomination points inside it, so the lowest-ranked invited candidate held a base score near 149. Compared against the CEC rounds in the same table, that is a modest human-capital profile receiving a far higher number.

The January and February pattern makes the shape clear. PNP rounds ran small and high while CEC rounds ran large and low, and neither number says anything about the other.

With more than 238,000 profiles in the pool, a nomination is what separates a candidate from that volume. It is worth more than any realistic gain in language results, education, or work experience.

For candidates without one, the practical move is identifying a provincial stream that matches your occupation rather than working to raise a base score inside the general pool.