New Express Entry Draws Held in February 2026
Canada’s federal immigration authorities have continued issuing permanent residence invitations through the Express Entry system, beginning February with two distinct selection rounds. These draws targeted different applicant groups and highlighted the government’s ongoing use of category-based invitations alongside provincial nominations. The early February activity reflects how Express Entry is being used to address specific policy priorities, including regional labour needs and the promotion of French-language immigration across Canada.
Overview of February 2026 Express Entry Activity
The two most recent draws took place on February 3 and February 6, 2026. Each round focused on a separate category of candidates within the Express Entry pool. One draw was limited to applicants who had already secured a provincial nomination, while the second targeted candidates with French-language proficiency. Together, these rounds resulted in nearly 9,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence. Officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada continue to alternate between category-specific and program-specific draws as part of a broader immigration intake strategy.
Provincial Nominee Program Draw – February 3, 2026
The first Express Entry draw of the month occurred on February 3, 2026, and was exclusively for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. A total of 423 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in this round. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 749 to receive an invitation. The elevated score requirement reflects the automatic 600-point bonus granted to candidates who receive a provincial nomination. Only applicants who had submitted their Express Entry profiles before the tie-breaking cut-off date were considered. This mechanism ensures fairness when multiple candidates share the same CRS score. PNP-specific draws play a key role in allowing provinces and territories to select immigrants who meet regional economic and demographic needs. Candidates invited through this pathway typically already have strong connections to the province that nominated them, such as employment offers or prior work experience.
French-Language Proficiency Draw – February 6, 2026
On February 6, 2026, immigration officials conducted a much larger draw focused on candidates with demonstrated French-language ability. This round issued 8,500 ITAs , making it one of the largest French-language category draws conducted to date. The CRS cut-off score was set at 400 , significantly lower than scores seen in many general or program-specific draws. Applicants were required to meet the eligibility criteria for the French-language proficiency category and have an Express Entry profile submitted before the tie-breaking deadline. This draw supports Canada’s broader objective of increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec. By lowering the CRS threshold and issuing a high volume of invitations, the government widened access to permanent residence for qualified French-speaking candidates across multiple occupations.
What These Draws Indicate About Immigration Trends
The contrast between the two February draws highlights how flexible the Express Entry system has become. While the PNP draw selected a relatively small number of highly ranked candidates, the French-language draw cast a much wider net. Category-based selection allows immigration authorities to respond quickly to labour shortages, demographic goals, and language policy priorities without relying solely on CRS rankings across the entire pool. These draws also suggest that candidates who may not score competitively in general draws could still receive invitations through targeted categories, depending on their skills and background.
Summary of February 2026 Express Entry Draws
| Draw Date | Draw Category | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
| February 3, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 423 | 749 |
| February 6, 2026 | French-Language Proficiency | 8,500 | 400 |
What the Data Tells Us
Two draws three days apart, one with 423 invitations and one with 8,500, show a system running on two separate logics at once. Volume and score are set by policy goal, not by a single measure of who is most qualified.
The 749 and the 400 look like opposite ends of the same scale, but they are not comparable. The PNP figure carries 600 nomination points inside it, so the base score behind it sits near 149. Read that way, the French round was the more demanding of the two on human capital alone.
Nearly 9,000 invitations in the first week of February also signals pace. IRCC front-loading selections this early in the year usually means it is working toward annual admission targets rather than deferring them.
The practical lesson is that eligibility routes matter more than raw score. A candidate at 400 with qualifying French results was invited in the same week a candidate at 700 without a nomination was not.
For anyone building a strategy, the question worth asking is which category your profile can realistically enter, not how many points you can add inside the general pool.
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?
Candidates who receive an ITA have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. This includes supporting documents such as police certificates, medical exams, proof of work experience, and language test results. Applications are assessed for admissibility and accuracy, and processing times may vary depending on the applicant’s category and background. Provincial nominees must also maintain their nomination throughout the application process.
What is the Express Entry system?
Express Entry is Canada’s online system for managing applications for permanent residence under several federal economic immigration programs.
Why was the CRS score much higher in the PNP draw?
Provincial nominees automatically receive 600 CRS points, which significantly raises the minimum score required in PNP-only draws.
Who qualifies for the French-language proficiency category?
Candidates must demonstrate strong French language skills through approved tests and meet eligibility rules set for the category.
Do French-language draws apply only to Quebec?
No. These draws are intended for candidates willing to settle outside Quebec, supporting French-speaking communities nationwide.
Can candidates qualify for more than one Express Entry category?
Yes. A single profile may meet multiple categories, increasing the chances of receiving an invitation in targeted draws.
How often are Express Entry draws held?
Draws usually occur every one to two weeks, but frequency and categories depend on immigration targets and policy priorities.
Does a lower CRS score guarantee faster processing?
No. CRS scores affect selection, not processing speed, which depends on application completeness and individual circumstances.