Third Express Entry Draw Of February 2026 Sent 279 ITAs

Last Updated On 16 February 2026, 7:27 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the third Express Entry draw in February 2026, sending 279 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.

This round of invitations targeted active Express Entry profiles that already have a provincial nomination from one of the Canadian provinces.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cutoff was 789, which marked an increase of 40 points as compared to the previous PNP draw at the beginning 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 CRS cutoff score jump in today’s draw is because of the lesser number of ITAs sent as compared to the February 3rd PNP draw, which sent 423 ITAs.

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

IRCC has so far sent 9,202 ITAs this month and we are yet to see a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw.

With the absence of the CEC draw in the beginning of February 2026 expect the CRS cutoff score to jump above 511 if we see the CEC round of invitations this week.

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 limit yourself to one province. Each province has different eligibility criteria, occupation lists, and processing times.

Apply to multiple PNP streams where you qualify to maximize your chances.

Key provinces with active Express Entry-aligned streams 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

When completing your Express Entry profile, indicate your interest in being contacted by provinces.

Some provinces, like Alberta, search the Express Entry pool and send Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who meet their criteria.

If you do not indicate interest, provinces cannot find and contact you. This simple step costs nothing but can unlock opportunities.

3. Target Provinces With Your Occupation In Demand

Each province maintains its own in-demand occupation list. Check these lists regularly, as they change based on labour market needs.

If your occupation is specifically targeted by a province, your chances of receiving a nomination increase dramatically.

For example, healthcare workers may find better opportunities in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, while tech professionals might target British Columbia or Ontario.

4. Consider Working Or Studying In Your Target Province

Many PNP streams give preference or exclusive access to candidates who are already working or have studied in the province.

For example, Nova Scotia’s Experience: Express Entry stream requires at least one year of work experience in Nova Scotia.

If you can secure a work permit and gain provincial experience, you significantly increase your nomination chances and may access streams unavailable to overseas applicants.

5. Ensure Your Language Scores Meet Provincial Requirements

While Express Entry has minimum language requirements, many PNP streams have their own thresholds that may be higher.

Most streams require at least CLB 5-7 depending on your occupation’s TEER category.

Having CLB 7 or higher in all abilities opens doors to the widest range of provincial streams.

If your current scores are borderline, consider retaking your language test before applying.

6. Demonstrate Genuine Intent To Settle In The Nominating Province

Provinces nominate candidates who intend to live and work in their jurisdiction.

Your application should clearly demonstrate why you want to settle in that specific province.

Research the province’s economy, job market, and communities.

If you have family connections, job offers, or previous visits to the province, highlight these.

Weak settlement intent is a common reason for nomination refusals.

7. Monitor PNP Draw Patterns And Apply When Streams Open

Some PNP streams operate on a first-come, first-served basis and can fill within hours of opening.

Set up alerts and regularly check provincial immigration websites.

When a stream opens that you qualify for, submit your application immediately.

Delays of even a few hours can mean missing a cycle entirely.

8. Prepare Complete And Error-Free Documentation

PNP applications are often refused due to incomplete or inconsistent documentation.

Before applying, ensure all your documents are current, properly certified, and consistent with your Express Entry profile.

This includes educational credential assessments, language test results, reference letters with detailed job duties matching your NOC code, and proof of settlement funds.

Having documents ready before streams open allows for faster submissions.

The February 16, 2026 Express Entry PNP draw is another reminder that provincial nominations remain one of the most reliable ways to secure an invitation, even when overall CRS cutoffs feel out of reach.

With only 279 ITAs issued, the higher 789 cutoff reflects the smaller draw size—not a sudden shift in who is eligible.

If you are still waiting for a Canadian Experience Class draw, keep your profile active, double-check that your work history and NOC/TEER details are accurate, and use this window to strengthen your score with language improvements, additional experience, or a spouse strategy where applicable.

Most importantly, treat your provincial nomination plan like a pipeline: track multiple provinces, keep documents ready, and move fast when streams open.

This week, we will closely monitor the IRCC’s upcoming invitation rounds and promptly provide updates upon the announcement of a CEC or another category-based draw.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If I get a provincial nomination, do I automatically get an ITA in Express Entry?

Not automatically, but it usually becomes very likely. A nomination adds 600 CRS points and moves you into a much higher ranking position. After the nomination is accepted in your Express Entry account, you still need to wait for an Express Entry round that includes Provincial Nominee Program candidates. Once you receive an ITA, you must submit your PR application on time and pass standard checks (medical, criminality, security, and document verification).

Does updating my Express Entry profile help or hurt my chances of getting an invitation?

It depends on what you change.
1. Helpful updates: higher language scores, added work experience that you can prove, a new credential/ECA, a valid job offer, improved spouse factors, or anything that truthfully increases CRS.
2. Risky updates: changing job titles/NOC/TEER incorrectly, adding experience without proper reference letters, or entering inconsistent dates. That can trigger refusal later if documents don’t match.
A good rule: only update what you can document cleanly. Consistency matters as much as points.

What are the biggest reasons people lose a provincial nomination opportunity (or get refused later)?

Common reasons include:
1. Settlement intent issues (your plan doesn’t match the province you applied to, or you can’t clearly explain why you’ll live there)
2. Incomplete or inconsistent employment letters (missing duties, hours, dates, or company details)
3. Proof of funds problems (wrong account type, unexplained deposits, or not meeting required amounts)
4. Misalignment between your Express Entry profile and your PNP application (different job history, education, or dates)
5. Missing deadlines (invitation windows can be short)
Treat both the nomination application and the PR application like an audit: clear evidence, consistent timelines, and no “guessing” on forms.

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website