Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of February on 3 February 2026, issuing 423 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Because nominees receive a 600-point boost, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off landed at 749—typical for PNP-only rounds.
While the draw size is modest, consultants point out that Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan have ramped up their tech-talent nomination streams this year, and Indians remain the primary beneficiaries. Over 40 percent of all Express Entry invitations in 2025 went to Indian nationals, many of whom first secured a provincial nomination through a job offer or targeted occupation list.
Indian professionals preparing to take advantage of these provincial pathways can save valuable time by outsourcing the paperwork: VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers end-to-end support for obtaining police clearances, document legalisation and secure passport delivery, ensuring Express Entry and PNP candidates file error-free applications.
![Canada’s 3 February Express Entry draw issues 423 invitations to PNP candidates, CRS cut-off at 749]()
The draw follows IRCC’s January announcement that category-based selections—focusing on STEM, healthcare and French-language proficiency—will continue alongside general and PNP-specific rounds. Candidates without a nomination but with scores in the low- to mid-500s are urged to monitor upcoming category-based invitations, while those at lower scores should explore in-demand provincial streams.
Applicants who received an ITA have 60 days to file a full permanent-residence application, including police clearances and proof of funds. Processing times for PNP-linked Express Entry cases are currently averaging eight months, according to IRCC’s tracker.
Employers in India’s tech hubs are advised to formalise remote-work arrangements or succession plans for staff likely to depart under the latest round.
While the draw size is modest, consultants point out that Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan have ramped up their tech-talent nomination streams this year, and Indians remain the primary beneficiaries. Over 40 percent of all Express Entry invitations in 2025 went to Indian nationals, many of whom first secured a provincial nomination through a job offer or targeted occupation list.
Indian professionals preparing to take advantage of these provincial pathways can save valuable time by outsourcing the paperwork: VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers end-to-end support for obtaining police clearances, document legalisation and secure passport delivery, ensuring Express Entry and PNP candidates file error-free applications.
The draw follows IRCC’s January announcement that category-based selections—focusing on STEM, healthcare and French-language proficiency—will continue alongside general and PNP-specific rounds. Candidates without a nomination but with scores in the low- to mid-500s are urged to monitor upcoming category-based invitations, while those at lower scores should explore in-demand provincial streams.
Applicants who received an ITA have 60 days to file a full permanent-residence application, including police clearances and proof of funds. Processing times for PNP-linked Express Entry cases are currently averaging eight months, according to IRCC’s tracker.
Employers in India’s tech hubs are advised to formalise remote-work arrangements or succession plans for staff likely to depart under the latest round.
