has held a new Express Entry round (#393) for Provincial Nominee Program candidates on February 3, 2026. The draw issued 423 invitations to apply (ITAs) with a minimum CRS score of 749, effectively targeting applicants with provincial nominations.

This article explains who benefits and what to do next.

• IRCC issued 423 Express Entry ITAs on February 3, 2026 in a Provincial Nominee Program–only draw with a CRS cut-off of 749.
• Only candidates in the Express Entry pool with a valid provincial nomination were realistically competitive in this round.
• If you are below 749 CRS without a nomination, your priority should be securing a provincial nomination or strengthening your profile for future rounds.

Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program draw – February 3, 2026

On February 3, 2026, ran Express Entry round #393, inviting 423 candidates through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)–specific draw. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 749, confirming that this round was targeted at candidates who already held a provincial or territorial nomination.

This was a program-specific round under the Express Entry system, rather than a general or category-based draw. Program-specific rounds allow IRCC to focus on particular pathways, in this case the PNP stream linked to Express Entry.

Key facts from the February 3, 2026 Express Entry draw

According to IRCC’s official Express Entry “Rounds of invitations” summary and the Ministerial. Instructions table for Express Entry rounds, the latest draw has the following parameters.

Field	Result
Round number	Express Entry round #393 (as referenced in the Ministerial Instructions index)
Date of draw	February 3, 2026
Program / round type	Program-specific, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Number of invitations issued	423 invitations to apply (ITAs)
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited	749 CRS

IRCC also applies a “tie-breaking rule” in each round: if multiple candidates share the lowest invited CRS score,. only those whose Express Entry profiles were submitted on or before a specific date and time receive an ITA.

For this round, the tie-breaking date listed by IRCC is in mid-December, which mainly affects candidates sitting exactly at 749 CRS.

Why is the CRS cut-off so high in this PNP draw?

Under Express Entry, a provincial or territorial nomination adds a large number of points to a candidate’s CRS score. IRCC’s program descriptions confirm that candidates nominated through a Provincial Nominee Program receive additional points to help them be invited more quickly.

Because of these nomination bonus points, PNP-only Express Entry rounds almost always show very high CRS cut-offs—often in the 700+ range. A cut-off of 749 strongly indicates that invited candidates generally had:

• a valid enhanced provincial nomination linked to Express Entry, and
• core human-capital scores (age, education, language, experience) sufficient to reach the 749 threshold once nomination points were added.

Who is directly affected by this draw?

This February 3, 2026 round affects three main groups:

This February 3, 2026 round affects three main groups:

• Candidates who already had a PNP nomination and CRS ≥ 749: These candidates are the primary beneficiaries. If they met the tie-breaking date, they should receive an invitation to apply (ITA) through their Express Entry account.
• PNP nominees below 749 CRS: Even with a nomination, some candidates may not reach the cut-off. They remain in the pool for future draws but were not invited in this round.
• Candidates without any provincial nomination: Without the nomination bonus, reaching 749 CRS is extremely rare. For these candidates, this draw is more of a signal about IRCC’s ongoing use of PNP-specific rounds rather than a realistic opportunity.

How this PNP draw fits within the broader Express Entry system

Express Entry is the federal online selection system that manages applications for three main. economic programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program.

IRCC invites the highest-ranked profiles in the pool to apply for permanent residence during regular “rounds of invitations.”

IRCC’s guidance on Express Entry rounds explains that there are three types of rounds:

General rounds: invite top-ranking candidates across all included programs

• General rounds: invite top-ranking candidates across all included programs.
• Program-specific rounds: like this one, focused on a single program such as the PNP.
• Category-based rounds: target candidates with specific attributes (for example, certain occupations or language abilities) while still requiring eligibility under an Express Entry program.

IRCC states that it typically runs rounds of invitations roughly every two weeks,. adjusting the type and size of rounds to meet economic and admissions objectives.

What this draw means if you already have a provincial nomination

If you are in the Express Entry pool with a provincial or territorial nomination and your CRS score is 749 or higher, you should:

1. Log in to your IRCC secure account and check for a new invitation to apply.
2. Verify which program you were invited under (it should reflect your PNP stream).
3. Begin preparing your permanent residence application immediately; the ITA is typically valid for 60 days.

If you were nominated but sit below 749 CRS, you were not selected in this round. However, your nomination and CRS score still keep you highly competitive for future.

PNP-only or general draws, provided your profile remains valid and up to date.

What if you do not have a provincial nomination?

For candidates without a provincial nomination, a CRS cut-off of 749 underscores that this particular round was not aimed at them. Instead, it signals IRCC’s continued reliance on PNP-specific rounds alongside general and category-based draws.

If you are in this situation, practical next steps include:

• Reviewing your eligibility for multiple provinces or territories under their Express Entry–aligned PNP streams.
• Improving your CRS score through language results, education credential assessment updates or additional work experience where possible.
• Ensuring your profile is complete and accurate so you can benefit immediately if another round better aligned with your profile is held.

You can use our internal tools, such as an Express Entry CRS score checker. and an Express Entry profile optimization guide, to better understand your competitiveness and strategy options.

Steps to take before the next Express Entry round

Because IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule for upcoming rounds, you should. treat each draw as a reminder to keep your profile and documents ready.

1. Confirm profile accuracy: Make sure personal details, work history, education and language results exactly match your supporting documents.
2. Monitor PNP opportunities: Provinces and territories regularly open and close specific streams; missing a nomination window can delay your path by months or longer.
3. Update proof of funds if required: IRCC periodically updates settlement fund thresholds, and you may need to adjust your profile to remain eligible.
4. Prepare documents in advance: Police certificates, medical exams and employment references can take time; gathering them earlier reduces the risk of missing ITA deadlines.

For deeper strategic planning—such as whether to focus on specific provinces, wait for a general round,. or reposition your profile for a category-based round—you may benefit from a detailed Express Entry strategy review. See our Express Entry strategy explainer for more scenarios and examples.

Where to confirm your own status

The only binding confirmation of your status in this draw is in your IRCC online account. Do not rely solely on social media posts or third-party summaries. Instead:

• Check IRCC’s official Express Entry rounds of invitations page for the latest draw parameters.
• Consult the official Ministerial Instructions – Express Entry rounds of invitations table for historical rounds and round types.
• Use your ITA notice (if issued) as the authoritative source for deadlines and document requirements.

If you are unsure how this draw affects your case, a personalized assessment can help identify whether you. should pursue a PNP nomination, wait for a different type of Express Entry round, or consider an alternative pathway.

Book a consultation for a tailored review of your Express Entry and PNP options.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a CRS score of 749 possible without a provincial nomination?

In practice, a CRS score of 749 without a provincial nomination is extremely uncommon. Because PNP nominations add a large block of extra CRS points, scores in the 700s almost always.

reflect a candidate who has been nominated by a province or territory through an Express Entry–aligned stream.

What should I do if my CRS score is just below 749?

If you have a provincial nomination and are just below 749, you were not selected in this specific. round, but you remain highly competitive for future PNP-only or general rounds as long as your profile stays valid.

If you do not have a nomination, focus on either securing one or improving your CRS through. language, education, or experience updates so that you are better positioned for rounds targeted at your profile type.

Will there be more PNP-only Express Entry draws in 2026?

IRCC does not publish a fixed calendar of future rounds. However, its official guidance confirms that program-specific rounds—including PNP draws—are part of the regular toolset used to meet immigration and labour market objectives.

It is therefore reasonable to expect further PNP-focused draws when provinces signal ongoing demand, but there are no guarantees on timing or frequency.

How can I check whether I was invited in round #393?

The only definitive way to confirm an invitation is by signing into your IRCC secure account. If you were invited, you will see an ITA message with the date of the.

round, the program under which you were selected, and the deadline to submit your application. If no message appears, you were not invited in this round, even if your CRS score is close to the cut-off.

Where can I see all past Express Entry rounds?

IRCC maintains an official table of all Express Entry rounds of invitations, including date, round type, number of invitations issued and CRS cut-offs.

This table is available via its Ministerial Instructions page for Express Entry rounds, alongside filters to search past draws. Applicants can use this history to understand trends, but past results do not guarantee future cut-offs.

* [Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

* [Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

* [Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)