On February 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry draw #395, inviting 279 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to apply for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was an extremely competitive 789, reflecting the 600‑point boost given to candidates with a provincial nomination plus already strong base profiles.
Draw 395 key facts
- Draw number: 395.
- Date and time: February 16, 2026 at 14:28:06 UTC.
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP‑only) – invitations may be issued only to PNP candidates.
- Number of ITAs: 279.
- CRS score of lowest‑ranked candidate: 789.
- Rank required: 279 or above in the PNP grouping.
- Tie‑breaking rule: September 05, 2025 at 00:59:13 UTC – if multiple candidates had 789, only those who submitted their profile before this date and time received an ITA.
As with other PNP‑only rounds, all invited candidates held a provincial nomination linked to their Express Entry profile, which automatically adds 600 CRS points on top of their base score.
What the Ministerial Instructions say
The Ministerial Instructions for round #395 formally create a grouping of eligible foreign nationals for ranking that consists of Express Entry candidates who are members of the PNP class described in paragraph 2(d) of the Express Entry Instructions.
Key elements in the Instructions:
- Definitions:
- “Eligible foreign national” – someone in the Express Entry pool under the general Express Entry Instructions.
- “Group ranking” – the ranking among eligible PNP candidates in this specific grouping.
- Grouping (section 2): Limited to candidates eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program class under Express Entry.
- Invitation period (section 3): ITAs may be issued from February 16, 2026 to February 17, 2026.
- Number of invitations (section 4): Capped at 279 for this round.
- Required rank (section 5): Invitations may be issued to those who rank among the first 279 candidates in the group ranking.
The Instructions are signed in Ottawa by Minister Lena Metlege Diab under her statutory authority in section 10.3 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Why the CRS cut‑off is so high in PNP‑only draws
A CRS score of 789 might seem intimidating, but it is typical for PNP‑only draws where provincial nominees already receive 600 extra points.
- If the cut‑off is 789, that usually implies a base CRS (before nomination) around 189 (789 – 600).
- In recent PNP rounds (e.g., 2025 draws with cut‑offs in the 740s), base scores often fell in the 150–180+ range, reflecting strong education, language and work experience.
So, today’s high CRS does not mean you need 789 from human capital alone; it means you need a provincial nomination plus a solid underlying profile.
Quick comparison with recent Express Entry draws
Recent 2026 draws show IRCC continuing to alternate between PNP‑only, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and category‑based rounds:
Draw #395 fits the pattern of IRCC using smaller, high‑cut‑off PNP rounds between larger CEC and category‑based draws.
What this means for candidates
If you already have a PNP nomination in your Express Entry profile, you are in a very strong position: with 600 points added, your chances in future PNP rounds remain high as long as your profile is active and accurate. Those who received an ITA in draw #395 now have 60 days to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence via their IRCC online account, following standard Express Entry timelines.
If you do not yet have a provincial nomination and your CRS is below recent all‑program cut‑offs, this draw is another signal that targeting a PNP stream (Ontario, BC, Alberta, etc.) can be the most realistic way to boost your CRS by 600 points and secure an ITA. Focus on aligning your profile with provincial labour needs, ensuring a strong base CRS, and keeping your Express Entry profile updated so you can accept a nomination promptly when invited.
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