[Published
04 Feb, 2026 | 06:31 AM]
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues its targeted Express Entry approach in early 2026, with a strong focus on candidates nominated by Canadian provinces. This Express Entry round represents the first draw of the month and the fifth overall in 2026.
Following multiple high-volume draws in January under both the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the latest round reinforces the growing importance of provincial nominations in Canada’s permanent residence strategy.
The draw reflects IRCC’s efforts to address regional labour shortages while prioritizing candidates who align closely with provincial and economic needs.
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Canada released the latest Express Entry draw on February 03, 2026, inviting 423 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 749.
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is determined by the date and time of their Express Entry profile submission.
The following table highlights Express Entry draws held in 2026, including draw dates, program categories, the number of invitations issued, and the minimum CRS scores required.
| Draw Date | Draw Type | Invitations issued | Minimum CRS Score |
| February 3, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 423 | 749 |
| January 21, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 509 |
| January 20, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 681 | 746 |
| January 7, 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 8,000 | 511 |
| January 5, 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 574 | 711 |
These figures show that IRCC has already issued 15,678 ITAs in 2026, highlighting a strong preference for PNP and CEC candidates in Express Entry draws.
The latest Express Entry draw primarily invited candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), meaning applicants who had already secured a nomination from a Canadian province or territory.
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which explains the higher minimum CRS cut-off in this draw. These invitations were aimed at candidates whose skills and work experience closely align with the provinces identified regional labour market needs.
For Canada PR hopefuls, this draw reinforces the growing importance of provincial pathways in the Express Entry system. Candidates with lower CRS scores in the federal skilled worker program pool may significantly improve their chances by pursuing a provincial nomination.
However, it also highlights that IRCC continues to favour targeted, program-specific draws over large all-program rounds, a trend seen in recent years.
Overall, the draw signals steady PR opportunities for candidates who meet provincial and economic priorities.
Source: canada.ca
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