Express Entry PNP Draw Today (Feb 16, 2026): 279 ITAs, CRS 789
- February 16, 2026
Today, IRCC held a new Express Entry draw under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The round issued 279 invitations, with a minimum CRS of 789.
The main takeaway is simple: PNP draws can stay high and move fast, especially when the invitation count is smaller. If you are close, improving your profile details and pursuing a nomination can matter more than small CRS tweaks.
Draw Highlights
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program
- Invitations issued: 279
- Minimum CRS: 789
- Date and time: February 16, 2026 at 14:28:06 UTC
- Tie-breaking rule: September 05, 2025 at 0:59:13 UTC
- Tie-break note: If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
Who was invited in this draw?
This was a Provincial Nominee Program round, which means IRCC targeted candidates who had a provincial nomination linked to their Express Entry profile.
A provincial nomination is valuable because it can add a major CRS boost (600 points) in Express Entry. That is why PNP draws often have very high CRS cut-offs, even when the total invitations are not large.
If you are exploring nomination options, it helps to understand how provinces select candidates and how nominations connect to the federal PR step. You can review the basics here: PNP overview and Express Entry overview.
What this draw means for candidates
- The CRS cut-off was high at 789. This is higher than recent PNP rounds shown by IRCC, such as 749 (Feb 3, 2026) and 711 (Jan 5, 2026).
- The invitation count was smaller. Today’s 279 ITAs is below several recent PNP rounds, like 681 (Jan 20, 2026) and 1,123 (Dec 8, 2025).
- PNP CRS can swing a lot. In the recent PNP rounds shown, CRS ranged from 699 (Nov 25, 2025) up to 855 (Sep 29, 2025).
- Tie-break timing still matters. If you are near the cut-off, an earlier profile submission time can help.
- If you are not nominated yet, focus on nomination strategy. A strong PNP plan can beat slow CRS gains.
- Expect more category-specific planning. PNP rounds can continue regularly, but IRCC can change sizes anytime.
Not sure which province fits your profile? Try our free PNP Finder to shortlist pathways in minutes.
If you received an ITA: what to do next
If you received an invitation, move quickly and stay organized. Small mistakes can cause delays.
- Accept the ITA and review the full document request list carefully.
- Gather documents early, even before you upload anything.
- Double-check that your Express Entry details match your documents exactly.
- Watch deadlines closely and submit a complete application.
Common document checklist (general)
- Passports and travel history documents
- Language test results
- Education credentials and ECA (if applicable)
- Work reference letters and proof of duties
- Proof of funds (if required for your situation)
- Police certificates (as requested)
- Medical exam steps when instructed by IRCC
- Provincial nomination documents and any related letters
If you want a structured checklist based on your profile, use our free AI Immigration Chat.
If you did not receive an ITA: next steps
Not getting an ITA in a PNP round usually means one of two things: you are not nominated, or your profile was not in today’s top ranks.
- Pursue a provincial nomination actively. Do not wait for CRS to rise slowly.
- Keep your Express Entry profile updated. Update work, education, and test scores fast.
- Improve language scores if possible. Even small gains can help outside PNP rounds.
- Review province pathways that fit your job and location plans. Use the PNP Finder to shortlist options.
- Consider timelines and tie-break impact. Creating your profile earlier can help in close rounds.
- Stay ready for different draw types. Your best chance may come through another stream.
For a simple roadmap on how Express Entry draws work overall, see the Express Entry overview.
Want help picking the right PNP route? Use the PNP Finder or ask questions in chat.