Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial nominee programs extended 25,722 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in February 2026, according to data compiled by Immigration News Canada. Healthcare workers, French speakers and candidates with existing Canadian experience dominated the selections, highlighting Ottawa’s pivot toward targeted, labour-market-driven draws. (immigrationnewscanada.ca)
Six Express Entry rounds accounted for 19,593 ITAs, with the largest—8,500 invitations—going to French-language candidates at a historically low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 400. A physician-only draw set a near-record low CRS of 169, underlining critical shortages in Canada’s healthcare system.
For applicants trying to seize these fast-moving opportunities, VisaHQ can simplify the process. The firm’s Canada team (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides step-by-step guidance on document collection, translations and biometric scheduling, ensuring complete, timely submissions that can make the difference when CRS cut-offs dip unexpectedly.
![Canada issues 25,722 permanent-residence invitations in February, despite lower overall targets]()
Provincially, Ontario led with 3,229 nominations, followed by Alberta (1,376) and British Columbia (889). Atlantic provinces collectively issued 635 invitations, reinforcing regional strategies to spread immigration benefits beyond the main metropolitan corridors.
The robust numbers contrast with the federal government’s plan to trim overall immigration growth and cap international student permits. For employers and prospective immigrants alike, the message is clear: aligning with priority sectors or language streams can dramatically improve selection odds even in a more restrained policy climate.
HR departments should revisit mobility pipelines: French-speaking staff, healthcare professionals and in-Canada temporary workers stand the best chance of transitioning to permanent residence quickly, ensuring workforce stability amid tightening labour markets.
Six Express Entry rounds accounted for 19,593 ITAs, with the largest—8,500 invitations—going to French-language candidates at a historically low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 400. A physician-only draw set a near-record low CRS of 169, underlining critical shortages in Canada’s healthcare system.
For applicants trying to seize these fast-moving opportunities, VisaHQ can simplify the process. The firm’s Canada team (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides step-by-step guidance on document collection, translations and biometric scheduling, ensuring complete, timely submissions that can make the difference when CRS cut-offs dip unexpectedly.
Provincially, Ontario led with 3,229 nominations, followed by Alberta (1,376) and British Columbia (889). Atlantic provinces collectively issued 635 invitations, reinforcing regional strategies to spread immigration benefits beyond the main metropolitan corridors.
The robust numbers contrast with the federal government’s plan to trim overall immigration growth and cap international student permits. For employers and prospective immigrants alike, the message is clear: aligning with priority sectors or language streams can dramatically improve selection odds even in a more restrained policy climate.
HR departments should revisit mobility pipelines: French-speaking staff, healthcare professionals and in-Canada temporary workers stand the best chance of transitioning to permanent residence quickly, ensuring workforce stability amid tightening labour markets.
