Third Express Entry Draw of February 2026 Issues 279 ITAs Under PNP
February 17, 2026 – Asif Consulting reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the third Express Entry draw of February on February 16, 2026, issuing 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
This round targeted candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) who already had an approved provincial nomination linked to their Express Entry profile.
Key Details of the February 16, 2026, Draw
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program
- Invitations Issued: 279
- CRS Cut-off Score: 789
- Tie-breaking Rule: September 5, 2025, at 00:59:13 UTC
- Rank Required: 279 or above
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off increased by 40 points compared to the February 3 PNP draw, which issued 423 ITAs with a cut-off of 749. The higher score in this round reflects the smaller number of invitations issued.
Express Entry Activity So Far in February 2026
IRCC has issued 9,202 ITAs in February to date. The month has included:
- February 6, 2026: French-language proficiency draw – 8,500 ITAs (CRS 400)
- February 3, 2026: PNP draw – 423 ITAs (CRS 749)
- February 16, 2026: PNP draw – 279 ITAs (CRS 789)
As of now, there has been no Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw in February. If a CEC round is announced later this week, Asif Consulting anticipates the CRS cut-off may exceed 511 due to pool competitiveness.
Latest CRS Score Distribution (As of February 15, 2026)
The Express Entry pool currently contains 235,695 candidates, showing a slight decrease compared to early February.
Notable trends:
- 501–600 range: Increased significantly to 16,559 candidates
- 451–500 range: Slight decrease, but still highly competitive
- 401–450 range: Decline of nearly 4,000 profiles
The reduction in candidates scoring above 600 reflects recent PNP selections, while increased competition remains strong in the 451–500 range.
What This Means for Candidates
A provincial nomination continues to be one of the most reliable pathways to secure an ITA. A nomination adds 600 CRS points, placing candidates well above standard cut-offs in PNP-specific draws.
Asif Consulting advises candidates to:
- Keep Express Entry profiles updated and accurate
- Ensure NOC/TEER classifications align with job duties
- Improve language scores where possible
- Actively monitor provincial nomination streams
- Prepare documentation in advance to avoid missed deadlines
With smaller draw sizes, CRS fluctuations are expected. Candidates awaiting a CEC draw should maintain active profiles and strengthen their CRS where possible.
Our team will continue to monitor upcoming rounds and provide timely updates on future Express Entry draws.
