Canada issued 25,722 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in February 2026, confirming that strong opportunities still exist for skilled foreign workers who align their profiles with Canada’s priority categories.
Although the federal government reduced overall targets under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, February’s numbers show that candidates in the right streams continue to receive significant attention.
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The data reveals a clear trend: healthcare professionals, French-speaking candidates, applicants with Canadian work experience, and provincial nominees led the selections. If you fall into one of these groups, your pathway to permanent residence (PR) may be more accessible than expected.
This breakdown summarizes all Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) invitations issued in February 2026, including occupations, CRS cut-offs, and selection trends to help you plan strategically.
February 2026 PR Invitations by Program
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial nominee programs issued a combined 25,722 invitations in February.
Distribution by Program:
| Program | Invitations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry | 19,593 | 76% |
| Ontario OINP | 3,229 | 13% |
| Alberta AAIP | 1,376 | 5% |
| BC PNP | 889 | 3% |
| New Brunswick PNP | 526 | 2% |
| PEI PNP | 109 | <1% |
| Total | 25,722 | 100% |
Despite reduced national immigration targets, opportunity remains strong for candidates targeting priority streams.
Express Entry Draws – February 2026
IRCC conducted six Express Entry draws, issuing 19,593 ITAs across category-based and program-specific rounds.
February was particularly active, with four draws occurring between February 16 and February 20.
Key Highlights:
- French-language proficiency draw (Feb 6)
- 8,500 ITAs
- CRS 400
- Represented 43% of all Express Entry ITAs
- Reinforces Canada’s push for francophone immigration outside Quebec
- Canadian Experience Class (Feb 17)
- 6,000 ITAs
- CRS 508
- Focused on candidates already working in Canada
- Healthcare & Social Services (Feb 20)
- 4,000 ITAs
- CRS 467
- Targeted 37 eligible healthcare occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience (Feb 19)
- 391 ITAs
- CRS 169
- One of the lowest CRS cut-offs in Express Entry history, highlighting urgent demand for doctors
Other draws included PNP-specific rounds with CRS scores of 749 and 789.
Ontario – 3,229 Invitations
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) was the most active provincial program in February, issuing 3,229 invitations across several targeted streams.
Ontario’s 2026 allocation is 14,119 nominations, and the province began issuing invitations aggressively.
Targeted Groups:
- Skilled Trades (77 occupations) – 1,404 invitations
- Healthcare & Early Childhood Education – 1,649 invitations
- Physicians – 129 invitations
- Regional REDI Pilot – 47 invitations
Most in-demand occupations included electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, registered nurses, nurse aides, early childhood educators, and physicians.
Alberta – 1,376 Invitations Across 7 Draws
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted seven draws targeting specific sectors.
The largest draw (Feb 2) under the Opportunity Stream issued 915 invitations at a minimum score of 57.
Other targeted pathways included:
- Rural Renewal
- Accelerated Tech
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Law Enforcement
Alberta’s strategy focuses on smaller, sector-specific draws to meet labor market gaps precisely.
British Columbia – 889 High-Impact Invitations
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 889 invitations across two selective draws.
Rather than high volume, BC prioritized high-wage earners and high-scoring candidates:
- Feb 11: $62/hour + $125K/year OR Score 135+ (460 invitations)
- Feb 4: $70/hour + $145K/year OR Score 138+ (429 invitations)
BC continues to emphasize strong economic contribution and high-income employment.
Atlantic Canada – 635 Invitations
Atlantic provinces also remained active:
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program issued 526 invitations across Skilled Worker (Healthcare), Express Entry, and Strategic Francophone streams.
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program issued 109 invitations under Labour and Express Entry categories.
These provinces offer lower competition and strong community integration opportunities.
What February 2026 Means for Your PR Strategy
The message is clear: targeted selection is now the norm.
Generic profiles are less competitive. Strategic positioning is essential.
You may have strong chances if you:
- Speak French (CRS 400 was sufficient in February)
- Work in healthcare (CRS 467 range)
- Are a physician in Canada (CRS 169)
- Have Canadian work experience (CEC cut-off 508)
- Cannot reach 500 CRS but qualify for provincial nomination
How to Strengthen Your Profile
February’s data provides a roadmap:
- Confirm whether your occupation fits category-based draws (healthcare, trades, STEM).
- Consider French testing (TEF/TCF) — currently one of the highest-return profile upgrades.
- Explore provincial pathways aligned with your occupation:
- Ontario for trades and healthcare
- Alberta for tech and sector-based draws
- BC for high-wage roles
- Gain Canadian work experience if possible.
- Apply strategically across multiple PNPs to increase nomination chances.
Final Takeaway
The 25,722 PR invitations issued in February 2026 demonstrate that Canada continues to welcome skilled immigrants despite lower national targets.
However, success now depends on aligning your profile with Canada’s priority categories. Healthcare workers, French speakers, candidates with Canadian experience, and provincial nominees dominated February’s selections.
If you can position yourself within these priority areas, your path to permanent residence remains open. Study the trends, identify where you qualify, and take strategic action to maximize your chances.
