February 2026 has officially become a historic month for Canada’s Express Entry system. Within the first six days, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a staggering 8,923 invitations, shifting the focus from provincial nominees to a massive celebration of Francophone talent.
Here is your comprehensive breakdown of the Express Entry draws for February 2026.
1. The Record-Breaker: French Proficiency (Feb 6, 2026)
In a major strategic move, IRCC conducted one of the largest category-based draws in the program’s history today.
- ITAs Issued: 8,500
- CRS Cut-off: 400
- Target: French-Language Proficiency
- Strategy: This draw proves that French is the “ultimate booster” in 2026. With a cut-off of only 400 points, candidates who would otherwise be “stuck” in the pool due to age or education are receiving PR invitations simply by proving their language skills.
2. The First Draw: Provincial Nominee Program (Feb 3, 2026)
February opened with a targeted round for those who have already secured a nomination from a province like Alberta, Ontario, or BC.
- ITAs Issued: 423
- CRS Cut-off: 749
- Analysis: While 749 looks high, remember that these candidates received 600 bonus points from their province. Their “base” human capital scores were actually around 149, making this a vital pathway for workers with in-demand skills but lower English/Education points.
3. 2026 Express Entry Leaderboard
So far this year, IRCC has issued a total of 24,178 invitations. The distribution shows a clear “Domestic & Targeted” priority.
| Draw Date | Type | ITAs | CRS Score |
| Feb 6, 2026 | French Language | 8,500 | 400 |
| Feb 3, 2026 | PNP | 423 | 749 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | CEC | 6,000 | 509 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | PNP | 681 | 746 |
| Jan 7, 2026 | CEC | 8,000 | 511 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | PNP | 574 | 711 |
4. Pool Snapshot: The “Bottleneck”
As of February 2, 2026, the Express Entry pool has swelled to 238,920 candidates.
The 500+ Club: There are currently 14,911 candidates sitting with scores between 501 and 600. This is the primary group competing for the next Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw. If you are in this range, you are in the “Green Zone” for an invitation soon.
5. Consultant’s Advice: What Should You Do Now?
If you are watching these draws and haven’t received an ITA yet, here is your 2026 checklist:
- Don’t Bank on Job Offers: Remember, as of March 2025, LMIA-supported job offers no longer provide the 50-point bonus. Your score is now purely based on your own skills.
- The French Factor: If your score is below 480, learning French is no longer “optional”—it is the fastest way to leapfrog 75,000 people in the pool.
- Provincial Eyes: Alberta (AAIP) just issued 915 invitations on Feb 2nd. Always keep your provincial profiles updated alongside your Express Entry profile.
