Canada has conducted another targeted Express Entry draw, continuing its strategic use of the system to meet provincial labour market needs. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)–specific draw on February 3, 2026, inviting candidates who had already secured a provincial nomination.
The draw reflects IRCC’s ongoing preference for category-based and program-specific selections in 2026, rather than broad all-program rounds. By prioritising provincially nominated candidates, the federal government is reinforcing the role of provinces and territories in selecting skilled immigrants aligned with regional economic demands.
Key Details of the February 3, 2026 Express Entry Draw
Program targeted: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Date of draw: February 3, 2026
Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued: 423
Minimum CRS score: 749
Tie-breaking rule: Profiles submitted before 10:30 p.m. UTC on December 16, 2025
The high CRS cut-off is expected in PNP draws, as candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points for a provincial nomination, significantly boosting their overall ranking in the Express Entry pool.
Purpose and Overview of the Draw
The primary purpose of this draw was to invite candidates nominated by Canadian provinces and territories, enabling them to transition more quickly to permanent residence.
Provincial nominations are issued to individuals whose skills, work experience, and qualifications closely match specific regional labour shortages.
By holding a PNP-only draw, IRCC ensured that candidates already vetted by provincial governments were prioritised.
This approach allows provinces to directly influence immigration outcomes, ensuring newcomers are well-positioned to integrate into local economies, particularly in sectors facing persistent workforce gaps such as healthcare, construction, technology, and skilled trades.
Unlike general draws, PNP-specific rounds are designed to support regional growth rather than national averages, making them a key policy tool in Canada’s decentralised immigration framework.
Impact on Canada’s Immigration Landscape
This further highlights IRCC’s dual-track immigration strategy for 2026:
Retaining skilled workers already in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws
Empowering provinces through frequent PNP selections
The contrast between PNP and CEC draws is notable. While PNP draws feature high CRS cut-offs due to the nomination bonus, recent CEC draws have shown significantly lower CRS thresholds, offering opportunities to temporary residents and international graduates with Canadian work experience.
For Express Entry candidates abroad, the draw reinforces the importance of provincial nomination pathways, especially as all-program draws remain limited.
Candidates without a nomination may find it increasingly challenging to secure an ITA solely through CRS competitiveness.
Understanding the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence based on local economic priorities.
Each province operates multiple immigration streams targeting different categories, including skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.
PNP candidates aligned with Express Entry receive a 600-point CRS bonus, virtually guaranteeing an invitation in a subsequent PNP draw. This makes provincial nomination one of the most powerful pathways to Canadian permanent residence.
As Canada continues to rely on immigration to address labour shortages and demographic challenges, the PNP is expected to remain a cornerstone of the country’s immigration system in 2026 and beyond.