Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry Draw 396 on February 17, 2026, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 508 – a marginal one-point drop from the 509 cut-off seen in the January 21 draw, signalling stable but competitive selection thresholds for CEC candidates in 2026.
This is the third CEC-specific draw of 2026 and the sixth Express Entry draw overall, continuing IRCC’s clear pattern of prioritising skilled workers already living and contributing to Canada’s economy. With 30,457 total ITAs issued across all draws in just the first seven weeks of 2026 – 20,000 of which went to CEC candidates – the preference for inland applicants has never been more pronounced.
Key Details of Express Entry Draw 396
| Draw Number | 396 |
| Date | February 17, 2026 |
| Program | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Invitations Issued | 6,000 |
| CRS Cut-off Score | 508 |
| Tie-breaking Rule | March 16, 2025, at 09:35:59 UTC |
Understanding the Tie-breaking Rule
The tie-breaking timestamp of March 16, 2025 is a critical detail that many candidates overlook. When multiple candidates share the same CRS score at the cut-off threshold of 508, IRCC resolves the tie by prioritising those who submitted their Express Entry profiles earliest.
In practical terms, this means a candidate who reached 508 CRS points but entered the pool after March 16, 2025 would NOT have received an invitation in this draw – even though they met the score requirement. The nearly 11-month gap between the tie-breaking date and the draw date reveals a significant backlog of candidates sitting at this score level, underscoring that reaching 508 today may still result in a wait of several months unless the score improves further.
Complete Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
| Draw # | Date | Draw Type | CRS | ITAs Issued |
| 396 | Feb 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 508 | 6,000 |
| 395 | Feb 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 789 | 279 |
| 394 | Feb 6 | French-Language Proficiency | 400 | 8,500 |
| 393 | Feb 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 749 | 423 |
| 392 | Jan 21 | Canadian Experience Class | 509 | 6,000 |
| 391 | Jan 20 | Provincial Nominee Program | 746 | 681 |
| 390 | Jan 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 511 | 8,000 |
| 389 | Jan 5 | Provincial Nominee Program | 711 | 574 |
Key Statistics: 2026 Express Entry Draws to Date
• Total ITAs issued in 2026 (as of February 17): 30,457
• CEC ITAs: 20,000 across 3 draws (66% of all invitations)
• PNP ITAs: 1,977 across 3 draws
• French-Language Proficiency ITAs: 8,500 across 1 draw
• Lowest CRS cut-off in 2026 (CEC): 508 (Draw 396, February 17)
• Highest CRS cut-off in 2026 (PNP): 789 (Draw 395, February 16)
What Express Entry Draw 396 Means for Candidates
IRCC’s Sustained Focus on Inland Applicants
The three CEC draws held in 2026 have together issued 20,000 ITAs – more than double the combined volume of all PNP and French-language draws combined. This is not coincidental. IRCC’s 2026 strategy is centred on retaining temporary residents already working in Canada, reflecting broader government commitments to support newcomers already embedded in the labour market before they seek permanent residence.
For candidates currently holding a work permit and accumulating Canadian work experience, this pattern represents a significant and ongoing opportunity. CEC draws have been held at regular intervals, and based on current trends, candidates with scores in the 508-520 range remain competitive for upcoming rounds.
What the CRS Score of 508 Signals
A cut-off of 508 is near the lowest threshold seen for CEC draws in over a year, matching January’s round and continuing a trend of accessible scores for CEC candidates. However, the stable score – moving only one point between draws – also suggests the pool is being replenished with high-scoring candidates nearly as fast as invitations are issued. International graduates entering the workforce, candidates improving language scores, and new applicants with strong Canadian work histories continuously refresh the pool.
For candidates currently scoring below 508, the immediate priority should be identifying score improvement strategies rather than waiting passively for the cut-off to drop further.
Who Qualifies for Canadian Experience Class Draws?
To be eligible for CEC-specific Express Entry draws, candidates must meet the following requirements:
• At least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the past three years
• Work experience gained while holding valid temporary resident status in Canada
• Minimum language proficiency of CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1 occupations; CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 or 3
• Intent to reside outside the province of Quebec
• An active Express Entry profile that is current and accurate
Note: As of February 18, 2026, IRCC updated the minimum work experience requirement across all renewed Express Entry categories to 12 months of continuous experience. Partial months from different occupations cannot be combined if they fall under different NOC codes.
How to Improve Your CRS Score for Upcoming CEC Draws
For candidates currently sitting below the 508 threshold, there are several actionable strategies to increase competitiveness:
• Retake language tests: Additional points from IELTS or CELPIP improvements are among the fastest and most impactful ways to boost your CRS score
• Accumulate more Canadian work experience: Each additional year of qualifying experience adds points to your profile
• Pursue a provincial nomination: A valid PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA in a future draw
• Complete Canadian education: A Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate provides additional CRS points
• Secure a qualifying job offer: An offer from a Canadian employer under certain NOC codes adds up to 50 additional points
• Ensure your profile is accurate and complete: Outdated or inconsistent information can affect scoring and eligibility
Beyond CEC: The Growing Importance of Category-Based Draws
Draw 396 arrives in a rapidly evolving Express Entry landscape. IRCC has significantly expanded its use of category-based selection in 2026, adding five new categories effective February 18, 2026, including Senior Managers, Researchers, Transport Workers, and Skilled Military Recruits. Earlier, in December 2025, Physicians were quietly added as a dedicated category.
These category-based draws allow IRCC to invite candidates at dramatically lower CRS scores based on occupation rather than overall ranking. In February 2026, Physicians were invited with a CRS cut-off as low as 169 – illustrating how targeted draws can create pathways for candidates who may never be competitive in a general CEC draw.
For candidates working in priority sectors – including healthcare, French-language roles, transport, or senior management – assessing category eligibility should be a core part of any Express Entry strategy in 2026.
What to Expect From Future Express Entry Draws
Based on current draw patterns and pool composition, candidates can anticipate the following in the coming weeks and months:
• Continued regular CEC draws at intervals of 2-4 weeks, with CRS scores likely holding between 505-515
• Additional PNP draws targeting provincial nominees with CRS cut-offs in the 700s (boosted by the 600-point nomination bonus)
• Further category-based draws covering French-language proficiency, healthcare, and the newly added occupation categories
• Possible general draws if IRCC adjusts its strategy to address the growing pool of candidates in the 450-507 range who are not CEC-eligible or category-eligible
Candidates waiting in the pool should monitor IRCC announcements closely and keep profiles updated. A profile with outdated employment information, expired language test scores, or inconsistencies in documentation can affect eligibility and delay processing after an ITA is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will CRS scores drop below 500 for CEC draws in 2026?
It is unlikely in the near term without a significant increase in draw sizes or frequency. The Express Entry pool is being replenished with high-scoring CEC candidates at a pace that keeps the cut-off stable around 508-511. A meaningful drop below 500 would require IRCC to either dramatically increase invitation volumes or shift to general draws, which currently appears to be a lower policy priority than targeted category-based and program-specific selection.
What does the tie-breaking rule mean for my application?
If you share the same CRS score as the cut-off threshold, IRCC uses your profile submission date to decide who receives an invitation. Candidates who entered the pool earlier receive priority. If the cut-off for a draw is 508 and you scored 508 but created your profile recently, you may be passed over in favour of someone with the same score who entered the pool months earlier. Scoring above the expected cut-off – even by a few points – eliminates this uncertainty.
I have a CRS score of 490. What are my best options?
A score of 490 is below the current CEC draw threshold but can still be competitive through two main pathways. First, a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and essentially guarantees an ITA. Second, IRCC’s category-based draws targeting specific occupations have featured CRS cut-offs well below 490 – including draws for French-language proficiency (as low as 397-400 in 2026) and healthcare professionals. Candidates at 490 should assess provincial stream eligibility and determine whether they qualify for any occupational categories.
How often are CEC draws held in 2026?
In 2026, IRCC has held CEC draws roughly every 2-4 weeks. Draws 390 and 392 were issued in early and late January respectively, and Draw 396 followed on February 17. This pace suggests candidates can expect at least one CEC draw per month, though timing and invitation volumes vary based on IRCC’s overall immigration targets and pool composition.
Is Canada still granting PR in 2026?
Yes. Canada continues to grant permanent residence through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, and other economic pathways in 2026. The federal immigration levels plan maintains targets of approximately 380,000 newcomers for 2026, with economic immigration – primarily through Express Entry – accounting for the majority of those spots. Draws have continued at regular intervals and opportunities remain widely available for eligible candidates.
The Bottom Line
Express Entry Draw 396 issued 6,000 ITAs to CEC candidates at a CRS cut-off of 508, reinforcing IRCC’s consistent focus on skilled workers already in Canada. With 20,000 CEC invitations issued in the first seven weeks of 2026, the message is clear: if you have Canadian work experience, you are a top priority in Canada’s immigration strategy this year.
For candidates below the current threshold, the path forward involves targeted score improvement, exploring provincial nomination streams, and assessing eligibility for category-based draws – which are expanding rapidly in 2026 and offer pathways at significantly lower CRS thresholds.
At Earnest Immigration, our licensed consultants help you build a personalised strategy based on your specific profile, occupation, and goals – whether that means optimising your CRS score, identifying the right provincial stream, or preparing a complete and accurate Express Entry application after your ITA.
Ready to take the next step? Contact the Earnest Immigration team today for a profile assessment and immigration strategy consultation.
