Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an unexpected Express Entry draw on February 16, 2026, specifically targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. A total of 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued during this round.
To receive an invitation in this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 789 and an active Express Entry profile created before 12:59 a.m. UTC on September 5, 2025.
This marks the seventh Express Entry draw of 2026 and the fourth exclusively for PNP applicants—underscoring Canada’s continued focus on selecting skilled candidates with strong provincial ties or in-demand job experience. PNP candidates typically receive an additional 600 points in the CRS, significantly boosting their chances of selection.
So far in 2026, Canada has held various category-based Express Entry draws, with a clear focus on candidates already contributing to the country’s economy. The majority of ITAs have been awarded to those in the Canadian Experience Class, followed by French-speaking applicants and PNP nominees.
Here’s a summary of the ITAs issued by category this year:
– Canadian Experience Class: 14,000 ITAs
– French-language proficiency: 8,500 ITAs
– Provincial Nominee Program: 1,255 ITAs
Recent draw scores have varied, from as low as 400 in the French proficiency category to over 789 for PNP-based selections. Notably, the draw on February 6 was the largest French-language-specific draw in Express Entry history, issuing 8,500 ITAs.
The Express Entry system, introduced to manage skilled immigration applications efficiently, continues to evolve with Canada’s labor market needs. The focus on PNP and in-Canada work experience candidates highlights the country’s strategy to transition temporary residents into permanent residents.
IRCC is expected to continue this trend in 2026, placing priority on applicants with Canadian ties or language skills that support integration into local communities and the economy.