2026-02 Canada immigration draws and invitations roundup

February 2026 saw a marked increase in invitation activity across Canada’s immigration pathways, with provincial nominee programs in Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario issuing a combined total of over 2,600 invitations. Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program also advanced its multi-stream invitation approach, while federal Express Entry category-based rounds continued to evolve, emphasizing strategic occupation targeting and Canadian experience. This roundup analyzes the distribution of …

February 2026 marked a significant uptick in Canadian immigration invitation activity, with provincial nominee programs leading the charge in volume and strategic targeting. Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted multiple Expression of Interest draws throughout the month, cumulatively issuing over 160 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs). These draws focused heavily on candidates invited through strategic recruitment initiatives, including Employer Services, Francophone Community, Regional Communities, Ethnocultural Communities, and a Temporary Public Policy designed to facilitate work permits for prospective nominees. Notably, a portion of these candidates also held valid Express Entry profiles, indicating Manitoba’s integration of federal and provincial pathways. The emphasis on provincial connection and employer support underscores Manitoba’s approach of prioritizing candidates who demonstrate a realistic intent and capacity to settle in the province.

British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) maintained strong momentum with two invitation rounds targeting high economic impact candidates. The draws on February 4 and 11 issued 429 and 460 invitations respectively, focusing on candidates with job offers in National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0 to 3 occupations and minimum wage thresholds of $70 and $62 per hour. The high score cutoffs of 138 and 135 points reflect BC’s strategy to attract highly skilled workers with strong labour market potential. These draws highlight the province’s focus on quality over quantity, aiming to fill critical roles that contribute significantly to the provincial economy.

Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) was the most active province in terms of sheer invitation numbers during February, issuing over 1,500 invitations across multiple Employer Job Offer streams. On February 18 alone, 1,404 invitations targeted skilled trades occupations under both Foreign Worker and International Student streams, with score thresholds set at 50 and 80 points respectively. Earlier in the month, 129 invitations were extended to physicians under the Foreign Worker stream with a notably low cutoff score of 33 points, reflecting urgent demand in healthcare. Ontario’s 2026 nomination allocation of 14,119 nominations supports sustained invitation activity throughout the year, signaling robust provincial commitment to addressing labour shortages in key sectors.

Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program continued its distinct multi-stream invitation approach on February 26, issuing invitations across four streams differentiated by occupation TEER categories, work experience requirements, French language proficiency, and intention to practice regulated professions. Stream 1 and 3 target TEER 0 to 2 occupations with higher French proficiency, while Streams 2 and 4 focus on TEER 3 to 5 occupations with moderate French requirements. A fifth category accommodates candidates with exceptional achievements and extensive work experience without other criteria. Although specific invitation counts were not disclosed, this nuanced approach reflects Quebec’s tailored immigration strategy emphasizing linguistic integration and professional regulation.

At the federal level, Express Entry’s February 18 category update reinforced the system’s shift towards occupation and experience-based selection. New categories included physicians with Canadian work experience, researchers, senior managers, transport occupations, and highly skilled military recruits, alongside continued prioritization of French speakers, healthcare, social services, education, STEM, and trades. The raised experience threshold—requiring at least one year of related experience in the last three years—narrows the eligible candidate pool, making strategic profile preparation essential. This layered selection approach means candidates must ensure baseline program eligibility, competitive CRS scores, and alignment with current category logic to maximize invitation chances.

Comparing these pathways reveals distinct provincial strategies aligned with local labour market realities and federal priorities. Manitoba’s draws emphasize provincial connection and settlement realism, requiring candidates to demonstrate tangible ties or employer support. British Columbia’s focus on high-wage, high-scoring candidates reflects a premium on economic impact and skill level. Ontario’s large-scale invitations to skilled trades and healthcare workers address acute sectoral shortages with relatively accessible score thresholds. Quebec’s multi-stream system prioritizes linguistic integration and regulated professions, maintaining its unique selection framework. Meanwhile, Express Entry’s evolving category-based rounds add a federal overlay that rewards occupation-specific experience and Canadian work history.

For applicants, these developments underscore the importance of targeted preparation and strategic program selection. Candidates should carefully assess their eligibility against provincial criteria, ensure valid language test results, and maintain up-to-date Express Entry profiles aligned with category priorities. Monitoring upcoming draws, especially in provinces with large nomination allocations like Ontario, will be critical. Additionally, attention to Temporary Public Policy measures and employer-specific conditions remains vital for those pursuing work permit-linked pathways.

Looking ahead, the invitation cadence is expected to remain robust, with provinces likely to continue leveraging strategic recruitment and employer-driven streams. Federal Express Entry may further refine category-based selection, potentially adjusting occupation focus and experience thresholds. Quebec’s Skilled Worker Program may also evolve its stream criteria in response to labour market and integration needs. Applicants should stay informed through official sources, including provincial nominee program websites and IRCC updates, to navigate this dynamic landscape effectively.