Canada Sent 25,722 PR Invitations In February 2026

Last Updated On 26 February 2026, 11:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada issued 25,722 invitations to apply for permanent residence in February 2026, proving that opportunities remain abundant for skilled foreign workers who position themselves in the right categories.

Despite the federal government’s reduced immigration targets under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, these numbers tell a different story for candidates who understand where Canada is actively looking for talent.

The February 2026 invitation data reveals a clear pattern: healthcare workers, French speakers, candidates with Canadian experience, and those in provincial nominee streams dominated the month’s selections.

If you fall into any of these categories, your path to permanent residence may be faster than you think.

This comprehensive breakdown covers every Express Entry draw and provincial nominee program invitation issued in February 2026, including the specific occupations, CRS scores, and selection criteria that led to these invitations.

Whether you’re already in the Express Entry pool, considering a provincial nomination, or planning your immigration strategy for the months ahead, this analysis will show you exactly where the opportunities are.

February 2026 PR Invitations By Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and provincial nominee programs collectively issued 25,722 invitations to apply for permanent residence during February 2026.

Here is how those invitations were distributed across the major immigration streams:

Program	Invitations	Share
Express Entry	19,593	76%
Ontario OINP	3,229	13%
Alberta AAIP	1,376	5%
BC PNP	889	3%
New Brunswick PNP	526	2%
PEI PNP	109	<1%
TOTAL	25,722	100%

Despite reduced immigration targets under the 2026-2028 Levels Plan, these numbers prove opportunity still exists — if you’re targeting the right categories.

Express Entry Draws In February 2026

IRCC conducted six Express Entry draws in February 2026, issuing a combined 19,593 invitations to apply across category-based and program-specific rounds.

This was one of the most active months for Express Entry in recent memory, with four draws occurring in a single week between February 16 and February 20.

The largest draw of the month targeted French-language proficiency candidates on February 6, 2026.

IRCC issued 8,500 invitations to candidates who demonstrated strong French skills, with a minimum CRS score of just 400 points.

This draw alone accounted for 43% of all Express Entry invitations issued during February and signals Canada’s ongoing commitment to francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Date	Category	ITAs	CRS
Feb 20	Healthcare	4,000	467
Feb 19	Physicians	391	169
Feb 17	CEC	6,000	508
Feb 16	PNP	279	789
Feb 6	French	8,500	400
Feb 3	PNP	423	749
	TOTAL	19,593

The Canadian Experience Class draw on February 17, 2026 issued 6,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 508.

This was the second-largest draw of the month and targeted candidates who already have skilled work experience in Canada.

CEC draws have remained a priority throughout early 2026 as IRCC focuses on candidates who are already contributing to the Canadian economy.

Healthcare workers received significant attention with a dedicated Healthcare and Social Services Occupations draw on February 20, 2026.

This round issued 4,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 467, targeting candidates with experience in 37 eligible healthcare occupations.

Perhaps the most remarkable draw of the month targeted physicians with Canadian work experience on February 19, 2026.

IRCC issued 391 invitations at an extraordinarily low CRS cutoff of just 169 points.

This is one of the lowest CRS scores ever recorded in Express Entry history and demonstrates how desperately Canada needs doctors.

Ontario OINP: 3,229 Invitations

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program issued 3,229 invitations across multiple streams and targeted draws in February 2026, making it the most active provincial program during the month.

Ontario’s 2026 nomination allocation from the federal government is 14,119, and the province wasted no time drawing from this allocation.

Here’s how February’s invitations broke down:

Target Group	Date	Invitations	Score
Skilled Trades (77 occupations)	Feb 18	1,404	50-80+
Healthcare + ECE occupations	Feb 2	1,649	36-56+
Physicians	Feb 2	129	33+
REDI Pilot (Regional)	Feb 2	47	34-69+

Hot occupations: Skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters), registered nurses, nurse aides, early childhood educators, and physicians got the lion’s share.

Click here for full list of occupations with NOC codes targeted by Ontario PNP in 2026.

Alberta AAIP: 1,376 Invitations Across 7 Draws

Alberta’s Advantage Immigration Program conducted seven separate draws in February 2026, issuing a total of 1,376 invitations across multiple streams and priority sectors.

Alberta continues to be one of the most active provinces for immigration, conducting frequent draws that target specific labour market needs.

The largest Alberta draw of the month targeted the Alberta Opportunity Stream on February 2, 2026, issuing 915 invitations at a minimum score of 57.

Stream/Pathway	Date	Invitations	Score
Opportunity Stream	Feb 2	915	57
Rural Renewal	Feb 10	212	54
Accelerated Tech	Feb 11	147	59
Construction	Feb 19	50	61
Manufacturing	Feb 12	32	50
Agriculture	Feb 17	<10	49
Law Enforcement	Feb 6	<10	50

Alberta advantage: Alberta’s approach of conducting multiple targeted draws rather than large general rounds allows the province to precisely address labour market gaps.

If you work in technology, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, or healthcare in Alberta, these sector-specific draws create additional pathways to nomination beyond the general streams.

BC PNP: 889 High-Impact Invitations

British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program issued 889 invitations across two draws in February 2026, both targeting candidates who will create high economic impact in the province.

BC PNP took a selective approach this month, focusing on high-wage earners and high-scoring candidates rather than issuing large volumes of invitations.

Date	Criteria	Invitations
Feb 11	$62/hr + $125K/year OR Score 135+	460
Feb 4	$70/hr + $145K/year OR Score 138+	429

For candidates targeting BC, these draws highlight the province’s preference for high-economic-impact immigrants.

If you can secure a high-paying job offer or build a strong BC PNP profile through factors like regional employment, STEM occupation, or healthcare work, your chances of receiving an invitation increase significantly.

Click here for full details of the latest BC PNP draws in 2026.

Atlantic Canada: 635 Invitations

New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island both conducted draws in February 2026, collectively issuing 635 invitations to candidates targeting these Atlantic provinces.

Province	Stream	Date	Invitations
New Brunswick	Skilled Worker (Healthcare)	Feb 11	196
New Brunswick	Express Entry	Feb 2	170
New Brunswick	Strategic (Francophone)	Feb 2	160
PEI	Labour + Express Entry	Feb 19	109

Atlantic advantage: For candidates considering Atlantic Canada, these provinces offer advantages including lower competition, smaller populations that make it easier to stand out, and genuine opportunities for community integration.

The Atlantic Immigration Program also remains an option for candidates who can secure designated employer job offers in the region.

What This Means For Your PR Strategy

The 25,722 invitations in February 2026 reveal a clear pattern: targeted selection is the new normal.

Generic profiles that would have succeeded 2-3 years ago now need strategic positioning.

If you fit one of these categories, act now:

Have French skills? Book TEF/TCF immediately. CRS 400 is achievable for most profiles
Work in healthcare? Verify your NOC matches the 37 eligible occupations. CRS 467 is within reach.
Doctor in Canada? Create your Express Entry profile today. CRS 169 means you’re getting invited.
Have Canadian experience? CEC draws at 508 reward those already contributing to the economy.
Can’t reach 500 CRS? Apply to multiple PNPs. Alberta issued 7 draws this month. Ontario targeted 77 trade occupations.

How To Succeed With Your PR Application

February’s data gives you a roadmap. Here’s how to use it:

Check if you qualify for category-based draws by reviewing the eligible NOC codes for healthcare, trades, and STEM occupations.
Invest in French language testing even if you only have moderate skills — the ROI is currently higher than any other profile enhancement.
Consider relocating to a province with active draws in your occupation — Ontario for trades, Alberta for tech, BC for high-wage positions.
Gain Canadian work experience if possible — CEC draws reward those already in the country.

The 25,722 PR invitations issued in February 2026 prove that Canada continues to welcome skilled workers despite reduced overall targets.

The difference is that success now requires strategic positioning in priority categories.

Healthcare workers, French speakers, candidates with Canadian experience, and provincial nominees dominated February’s selections.

If you can align your profile with these priorities, your path to permanent residence remains open.

Study the patterns, identify where you fit, and take action to strengthen your profile in the areas that matter most.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do I have to submit my PR application after receiving an invitation?

You have 60 days from the date you receive an Invitation to Apply to submit your complete permanent residence application through the IRCC online portal. This deadline is firm and cannot be extended. If you miss the deadline, your invitation expires and you must re-enter the Express Entry pool and wait for another invitation. For provincial nominees, deadlines vary by province but typically range from 14 to 60 days depending on the stream.

Can I receive invitations from both Express Entry and a provincial program simultaneously?

Yes, you can maintain an active Express Entry profile while also applying to provincial nominee programs. If you receive a provincial nomination, you can add it to your Express Entry profile for 600 additional CRS points. However, once you accept an invitation and submit a PR application through one pathway, you should not submit duplicate applications through other streams, as this can complicate your file and potentially lead to processing delays or concerns about misrepresentation.

What happens if my CRS score changes after I receive an invitation?

If your updated CRS score remains at or above the cutoff score for the specific round/draw in which you received the ITA, you can generally proceed with the application (though you should still report changes accurately).
If your updated CRS score drops below the cutoff for that round, IRCC strongly advises (and in many cases effectively requires) that you decline the ITA rather than submit the application. Proceeding with a score below the cutoff risks refusal of your application (often under eligibility grounds), potential misrepresentation findings if changes aren’t properly explained/disclosed, non-refund of fees, and complications for future applications.

Is there a limit to how many times I can re-enter the Express Entry pool?

No, there is no limit. Express Entry profiles are valid for 12 months, after which they expire and you must create a new profile. You can create unlimited new profiles as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements of at least one federal program. However, be aware that age is a significant factor in CRS scoring, and younger candidates receive more points. Each year you wait reduces your potential score, so there is a practical incentive to maximize your profile and receive an invitation sooner rather than later.

Does provincial nomination guarantee federal PR approval?

No, provincial nomination is one step in a two-stage process. After receiving provincial nomination, you must still submit a federal PR application to IRCC and meet all federal admissibility requirements including medical, criminal, and security checks. While provincial nomination virtually guarantees an Express Entry invitation due to the 600-point boost, the federal government makes the final decision on permanent residence. Approximately 80-90% of provincial nominees receive PR approval, with refusals typically related to medical or security inadmissibility rather than the nomination itself.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.