Quick summary of the Feb 17 Express Entry draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program-specific Express Entry draw on February 17, 2026. The round issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with Canadian work experience. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off for this draw was 508 points.

This CEC-focused round reflects IRCC’s ongoing priority of selecting candidates already in Canada who have demonstrated they can integrate into the labour market and society.

Express Entry draw details at a glance

Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Date of round: February 17, 2026
ITAs issued: 6,000
CRS cut-off: 508 points
Rank required: 6,000 or above
Tie-breaking rule timestamp: March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC — candidates with exactly 508 points were invited only if their profile was submitted before this time.

The tie-break timestamp decides selection order when multiple candidates have the same lowest CRS score.

Why the Canadian Experience Class matters

The CEC is one of three federal economic programs managed in Express Entry (alongside FSWP and FSTP). It exists to convert skilled temporary residents — those who already work in Canada — into permanent residents. IRCC favours CEC candidates because they typically have:

Canadian workplace experience and culture familiarity,
Established professional networks, and
Stronger settlement outcomes compared with newcomers arriving directly from abroad.

Common CEC pathways include international graduates on Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) and temporary foreign workers who have built work history in Canada.

Recent CEC draw trends in 2026

CEC rounds have been active in early 2026 as IRCC seeks to clear pool inventory and hit admissions targets. Earlier draws this year included:

January: 8,000 ITAs at a 511 CRS cut-off, and
A separate January round: 6,000 ITAs at a 509 cut-off (the lowest CEC cut-off since September 2024).

These sizeable and frequent rounds signal a continued focus on converting temporary residents into permanent residents and align with Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

What to do if you received an ITA in the Feb 17 Express Entry draw

Candidates who received an ITA in this round have 60 calendar days to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR). Missing this deadline cancels the invitation.

A complete application typically requires:

Valid identity documents (passports),
Language test results meeting the minimum TEER category requirements,
Employer reference letters detailing duties, hours and wages,
T4 slips and pay stubs to verify work experience,
Police certificates for all countries where you lived six months or more since age 18, and
An immigration medical exam by an IRCC panel physician.

IRCC aims to process 80% of Express Entry applications within six months of receiving a complete submission, though actual times can vary with verification requirements and complexity.

What to expect from future Express Entry draws

Based on current priorities, CEC draws are expected to remain a major component of Express Entry in 2026. CRS cut-offs may fluctuate depending on draw size, pool composition and IRCC admissions targets. The 2026–2028 plan holds permanent resident admissions at 380,000 per year, with economic immigration representing the largest share — a backdrop that supports continued CEC activity.

Candidates should monitor draw results and be ready to submit if a future cut-off matches their CRS score.

Common mistakes to avoid in your CEC application

Avoiding these frequent errors will reduce delays and the risk of refusal:

Misaligned job duties vs. NOC codes: IRCC assesses the duties you performed, not your job title. Ensure reference letters match the NOC lead statement and main duties.
Claiming ineligible work experience: Hours during full-time study, unpaid internships, or self-employment often do not count toward CEC eligibility.
Inconsistent or incomplete documentation: Cross-check dates, job titles and details across your profile, reference letters and tax documents to prevent red flags and extra verification requests.

Final word on the Feb 17 Express Entry draw

The February 17, 2026 Express Entry draw issued 6,000 ITAs at a 508 CRS threshold, reinforcing IRCC’s strategy to prioritize candidates already in Canada. For those invited, prompt and complete submission of required documents is essential. For others in the pool, improving CRS scores and staying prepared will be key as CEC rounds continue through 2026.

Follow TNN for more on this Express Entry draw and for ongoing IRCC coverage. Get the latest Canada news today and immigration updates.