A joint study by Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reveals that provincial nominees screened through the Express Entry system achieve better economic outcomes than those admitted through base streams. Enhanced provincial nominees earned 7% to 16% more one year after arrival and 12% more three years later, even after accounting for demographic differences. The research, which analyzed data from 2016 to 2024, shows that 78% of enhanced nominees

On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the first occupation-specific Express Entry draw of the year for candidates working in healthcare and social services occupations. In round #398, IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the cut-off score was 467 points (9 points fewer than the last draw for this category). The tie-breaking rule for this round was December 9, 2025, at 18:22:06 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 profil

Nova Scotia has restructured its immigration system by consolidating ten separate streams into four main pathways. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program now offers clearer options for newcomers through the Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, and Nova Scotia: Express Entry streams. This change took effect on February 18, 2026, and applies only to new applications submitted after that date. Existing applications remain unaffected, and all eligibility requirements sta

On February 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the first Express Entry draw for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience. IRCC issued 391 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #397, the cut-off score was only 169 points. The tie-breaking rule for this round was January 03, 2026, at 03:25:14 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. So far in 2026, the Government of Canada has issued

Canada is shifting its immigration strategy to prioritize high-skilled professionals and economic sustainability. On February 18, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab revealed new Express Entry categories designed to fill labour gaps. The new update introduces priority streams for researchers, senior managers, and aviation experts. Additionally, the government will streamline immigration pathways for foreign military personnel for roles within the Canadian Armed Forc

On February 17, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #396, the cut-off score was 508 points, one point fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was March 16, 2025, at 09:35:59 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 profiles were registered in the Express Entr

On February 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #395. The Government of Canada issued 279 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 789 points, 40 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw, which was the highest of the year. The tie-breaking rule for this round was September 05, 2025, at 0:59:13 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 p

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program will temporarily close its application portal from February 13 to February 18, 2026, as part of a major modernization effort. During this period, applicants with in-progress Expression of Interest submissions must complete them by February 13 at 4:00 PM, or they will be automatically cancelled. The program is also consolidating its streams from 10 to 4, aiming to provide greater clarity and a more streamlined application experience. Importantl

Canada's Express Entry pool is showing signs of reduced competition at the top tier for the second consecutive month. Between January 4 and February 2, over 6,200 profiles with CRS scores above 501 exited the system, marking a significant 29% decrease in the 501-600 range alone. While the overall pool expanded by 2,366 candidates, the reduction in high-scoring applicants suggests improving prospects for mid-range candidates seeking permanent residence invitations. Immigratio

On February 5, 2026, Alberta  released  the results of the recent Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) immigration draws. On January 26 and January 27, the province invited 63 and 43 candidates under the Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry and non-Express Entry streams, respectively. Additionally, on January 29, Alberta invited 148 candidates under the Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway, while the February 2 draw invited 915 candidates u

Starting February 3, 2026, Immigration New Brunswick has suspended new employer designation applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program while implementing sweeping reforms across three key immigration pathways. The province is introducing a candidate pool system for AIP endorsement applications, in which monthly selections prioritize provincial labour market needs rather than processing applications chronologically. Simultaneously, significant occupational restrictio

On February 3, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #393. The Government of Canada issued 423 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 749 points, 3 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was December 16, 2025, at 22:30:36 UTC. As of February 2, 2026, 238,920 profiles were registered in the Express

Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program has issued 111 nominations from its 2026 allocation of 6,403 spaces, leaving 6,292 spots available as the province continues processing 1,386 applications across multiple streams. The Alberta Opportunity Stream leads with 70 nominations issued and 741 applications under review, currently assessing submissions from October 2025. Meanwhile, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream has granted 10 nominations with 73 applications pending, and th

On January 21, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #392, the cut-off score was 509 points, two points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 29, 2025, at 04:35:24 UTC. As of January 19, 2026, 237,120 profiles were registered in the Express Ent

On January 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #391. The Government of Canada issued 681 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 746 points, 35 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was November 19, 2025, at 04:09:11 UTC. As of January 19, 2026, 237,120 profiles were registered in the Expres

On January 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the second-largest Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #390, the cut-off score was 511 points, four points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was June 10, 2025, at 15:59:25 UTC. So far in 2026, Canada has issued 8,574 invitations through two E

On January 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the Express Entry draw #389. In the first draw of 2026, the Government of Canada issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This round’s cut-off score was 711 points, 20 points fewer than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 06, 2025, at 01:54:31 UTC. As of January 4, 2026, 236,554 profiles were registered in the

On December 12, 2025, Alberta  published  the results of the recent draws conducted through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). On November 21 and 24, Alberta conducted draws under the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway and invited 68 and 39 Express Entry and non-Express Entry candidates, respectively. The minimum score for both draws was 49 points. These draws were the last ones conducted this year, as the AAIP reached its full 2025 allocation after receiving an addi

On December 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for French language proficiency candidates. In round #388, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to francophone candidates. The cut-off score of this draw was 399 points, nine points fewer than in the previous draw in this category. The tie-breaking rule for this round was August 24, 2025, at 23:43:05 UTC. This year, Canada issued 113,998 ITAs through 58 Express Ent

On December 16, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #387, the cut-off score was 515 points, five points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw, and it was the smallest CRS score for CEC candidates in 2025. The tie-breaking rule for this round was September 9, 2025, at 18:58:59 UTC. So far in 2