Canada Invites for PR February 2026 reached an impressive total of 25,722 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), proving that permanent residence opportunities remain strong despite reduced federal immigration targets under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
The February numbers clearly show one major trend: Canada is prioritizing targeted immigration. Healthcare professionals, French speakers, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, and provincial nominees dominated selections throughout the month.
If your profile aligns with these categories, your pathway to permanent residence could be faster than expected.
Canada Invites for PR February 2026: Program-Wise Distribution
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) collectively issued 25,722 invitations in February.
Invitations by Immigration Stream
| 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 lower overall targets, Canada Invites for PR February 2026 show that skilled workers in priority categories remain in high demand.
Express Entry Draws – February 2026
IRCC conducted six Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 19,593 invitations.
Express Entry Draw Summary
| Date | Category | ITAs | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20 | Healthcare | 4,000 | 467 |
| Feb 19 | Physicians | 391 | 169 |
| Feb 17 | CEC | 6,000 | 508 |
| Feb 16 | PNP | 279 | 789 |
| Feb 6 | French Language | 8,500 | 400 |
| Feb 3 | PNP | 423 | 749 |
| Total | 19,593 |
Key Highlights
- French-language draw: 8,500 invitations at CRS 400 (largest of the month)
- CEC draw: 6,000 invitations at CRS 508
- Healthcare draw: 4,000 invitations at CRS 467
- Physician draw: 391 invitations at an extremely low CRS 169
The physician draw especially stands out as one of the lowest CRS cutoffs in Express Entry history.
Canada Invites for PR February 2026 clearly demonstrate strong federal focus on healthcare and Francophone immigration.
Ontario OINP: 3,229 Invitations
Ontario led all provinces in February, issuing 3,229 invitations.
Ontario Breakdown
| Target Group | Date | Invitations | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Trades (77 occupations) | Feb 18 | 1,404 | 50–80+ |
| Healthcare + ECE | Feb 2 | 1,649 | 36–56+ |
| Physicians | Feb 2 | 129 | 33+ |
| REDI Regional Pilot | Feb 2 | 47 | 34–69+ |
Hot occupations included electricians, plumbers, welders, registered nurses, early childhood educators, and physicians.
Alberta AAIP: 1,376 Invitations Across 7 Draws
Alberta conducted seven separate targeted draws.
Alberta Draw Summary
| Stream | Date | Invitations | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opportunity Stream | Feb 2 | 915 | 57 |
| Rural Renewal | Feb 10 | 212 | 54 |
| Accelerated Tech | Feb 11 | 147 | 59 |
| Construction | Feb 19 | 50 | 61 |
| Manufacturing | Feb 12 | 32 | 50 |
| Agriculture | Feb 17 | <10 | 49 |
| Law Enforcement | Feb 6 | <10 | 50 |
Alberta continues using sector-specific draws to meet labour shortages precisely.
BC PNP: 889 High-Impact Invitations
British Columbia focused on high-wage earners.
| Date | Criteria | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 11 | $62/hr + $125K/year OR Score 135+ | 460 |
| Feb 4 | $70/hr + $145K/year OR Score 138+ | 429 |
BC is clearly prioritizing economic impact over volume.
Atlantic Provinces: 635 Invitations
| Province | Stream | Date | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | Healthcare | Feb 11 | 196 |
| New Brunswick | Express Entry | Feb 2 | 170 |
| New Brunswick | Francophone | Feb 2 | 160 |
| PEI | Labour + EE | Feb 19 | 109 |
Atlantic Canada remains a strong option for candidates seeking lower competition.
What Canada Invites for PR February 2026 Mean for You
The 25,722 invitations reveal one consistent message: targeted immigration is the new normal.
Strong opportunities exist for:
- French speakers (CRS 400)
- Healthcare professionals (CRS 467)
- Physicians (CRS 169)
- Canadian Experience Class candidates
- Provincial nominees
Generic profiles without category alignment face tougher competition compared to previous years.
If you fit into priority occupations or can improve French language scores, your chances significantly increase.
Final Takeaway
Canada Invites for PR February 2026 confirm that opportunities remain strong for skilled workers who strategically position themselves within priority categories.
Healthcare workers, French speakers, provincial nominees, and candidates with Canadian experience dominated selections.
The pathway to permanent residence remains open — but success now requires strategy, alignment, and timely action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many Canada Invites for PR February 2026?
Canada issued 25,722 PR invitations across Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
2. Which category had the largest Express Entry draw?
The French-language proficiency draw on February 6, 2026, with 8,500 invitations.
3. What was the lowest CRS score in February 2026?
The physician-specific draw had a CRS cutoff of just 169.
4. Do provincial nominations guarantee PR?
No. Provincial nomination guarantees an Express Entry invitation (600 CRS points), but final approval depends on federal admissibility checks.
5. Can I apply through both Express Entry and PNP?
Yes. You can maintain an Express Entry profile while applying to provincial programs.
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