On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its fourth Express Entry draw of the week, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This brings the total number of ITAs issued between February 16 and 20 to an impressive 10,670 across four separate draws.
The latest round specifically targeted 37 healthcare and social services occupations, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 467.
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The rapid succession of draws highlights Canada’s intensified efforts to address urgent labour shortages—particularly in the healthcare sector. With four draws held in just five days, the February 16–20 period stands out as one of the most active weeks for Express Entry in recent memory.
Express Entry Draw #398 Overview
- Draw Number: #398
- Date: February 20, 2026
- Category: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (2026-Version 3)
- ITAs Issued: 4,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 467
- Minimum Rank Required: 4,000 or above
- Tie-Breaking Rule: December 09, 2025 at 18:22:06 UTC
When multiple candidates have the minimum CRS score of 467, IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule based on profile submission time.
For this draw, only candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile before December 9, 2025 at 18:22:06 UTC received an ITA if they had exactly 467 points. Candidates who submitted or updated their profiles after this timestamp remain in the pool for future draws.
10,670 ITAs Issued in One Week
Between February 16 and 20, 2026, Canada issued a total of 10,670 ITAs across four different draws:
| Draw # | Date | Category | ITAs | CRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | Feb 20 | Healthcare & Social Services | 4,000 | 467 |
| 397 | Feb 19 | Physicians (Canadian Experience) | 391 | 169 |
| 396 | Feb 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 508 |
| 395 | Feb 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 279 | 789 |
This week’s draws reflect a broad and strategic selection approach. IRCC invited candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), a specialized physicians category with a notably low CRS score of 169, and a larger healthcare-focused category at 467.
Such diversity enables candidates across different experience levels and CRS ranges to receive invitations.
Reports of ITAs Issued to Ineligible Profiles
To qualify under this healthcare-focused round, candidates needed more than just a CRS score of 467 or higher.
Applicants were required to have at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) within the past three years in one of the 37 designated healthcare or social services occupations. This experience could be obtained in Canada or abroad and did not need to be continuous. However, it had to be in a single eligible occupation.
There are reports that some candidates with only six months of experience in eligible occupations received ITAs.
While IRCC’s category instructions clearly state that candidates must “meet all requirements in the instructions for that round,” and specifically require “at least one year of full-time work experience — or the equivalent in part-time work — in one of the targeted occupations,” the responsibility ultimately lies with the applicant.
Candidates who do not meet the 12-month requirement but received an ITA should strongly consider declining it. Submitting an application without meeting eligibility criteria could result in refusal and potential consequences for future applications.
37 Eligible Occupations for This Healthcare Draw
Candidates were eligible if they had qualifying experience in one of the following NOC 2021 occupations:
TEER 1 (Professional Occupations)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
- Specialists in surgery (31101)
- General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
- Veterinarians (31103)
- Dentists (31110)
- Optometrists (31111)
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (31112)
- Pharmacists (31120)
- Dietitians and nutritionists (31121)
- Psychologists (31200)
- Chiropractors (31201)
- Physiotherapists (31202)
- Occupational therapists (31203)
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (31209)
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors (31300)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Nurse practitioners (31302)
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (31303)
- Social workers (41300)
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301)
TEER 2 (Technical Occupations)
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Paramedical occupations (32102)
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
- Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
- Medical radiation technologists (32121)
- Medical sonographers (32122)
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
- Pharmacy technicians (32124)
- Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
- Massage therapists (32201)
- Social and community service workers (42201)
TEER 3 (Support Occupations)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
Next Steps After Receiving an ITA
Candidates invited in this round have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application through their IRCC online account.
Failure to submit within the 60-day period will result in the ITA expiring, and the candidate must re-enter the Express Entry pool.
Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation, including:
- Proof of eligible work experience
- Language test results
- Educational credential assessments (if applicable)
- Police certificates
- Medical examination results
- Proof of funds
Healthcare professionals should also review provincial licensing requirements, as these vary significantly by province and profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the CRS cut-off for this draw?
The minimum CRS score for the February 20, 2026 healthcare and social services draw was 467.
How many ITAs were issued this week?
A total of 10,670 ITAs were issued across four Express Entry draws between February 16 and 20, 2026.
Is foreign work experience eligible?
Yes. Qualifying healthcare or social services experience can be gained in Canada or abroad, provided it was accumulated within the past three years and totals at least 12 months full-time (or equivalent).
When is the next Express Entry draw expected?
While IRCC does not announce draw dates in advance, based on typical biweekly patterns, the next round may take place in early March.
