Canada has issued 423 Invitations to Apply in Express Entry Draw #393, held on February 3, 2026. This draw was limited to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program and required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 749. The round reinforces a clear trend early in 2026: provincial nominations continue to dominate Express Entry selection.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, this program-specific draw prioritized candidates already selected by Canadian provinces and territories to meet regional labour market needs.

At ImmigCanada, this development is significant for both candidates and employers. High CRS scores in PNP draws are not a signal that Express Entry is becoming unreachable. Instead, they highlight how powerful a provincial nomination has become in the current system.

Why Express Entry Draw #393 Had a High CRS Score

A CRS cutoff of 749 may look intimidating at first glance, but context matters. Provincial nominees receive an additional 600 CRS points automatically. This means candidates invited in Express Entry Draw 393 typically had a core CRS score of approximately 149 before the nomination was applied.

This scoring structure explains why PNP-only draws consistently remain above the 700 range. It does not indicate tougher selection criteria for skilled workers overall. Rather, it confirms that provinces are driving selection to fill specific workforce gaps.

From the perspective of a Regulated Immigration Consultant, this trend shows that Express Entry is increasingly aligned with regional economic planning rather than generalized federal competition.

Tie-Breaking Rule and Processing Timeline

The February 3 draw applied a tie-breaking rule dated December 16, 2025, at 22:30:36 UTC. When multiple candidates share the same CRS score, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this timestamp receive invitations.

Invited candidates now have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Most applications under Express Entry continue to follow the standard processing timeline of approximately 6 months, provided documents are accurate and complete.

As certified Canadian immigration consultants, ImmigCanada strongly advises candidates to prepare documents in advance. Missing or inconsistent information remains one of the most common reasons for processing delays or refusals.

What Express Entry Draw #393 Signals for 2026

This is the first program-specific Express Entry draw of February and one of the earliest indicators of how provincial allocation quotas may be used in 2026. Provinces appear ready to move quickly, issuing nominations early in the year rather than holding back allocations.

General all-program Express Entry draws are still expected to resume, often with CRS scores in the 490 range or lower. However, PNP draws are likely to remain frequent and strategically targeted.

At ImmigCanada immigration consulting services, we are seeing growing interest in provincial pathways from candidates who previously focused only on federal programs.

What Employers Should Do Right Now

Canadian employers struggling to retain foreign workers should pay close attention to draws like Express Entry Draw #393. Provincial nominations remain one of the most reliable ways to transition temporary workers to permanent residence.

Employers may consider:

• Supporting candidates through Provincial Nominee Programs
• Exploring Labour Market Impact Assessments where applicable
• Aligning job offers with provincial priority occupations

Professionals such as Eivy Joy Quito, widely recognized among clients as one of the Best RCIC in Canada, regularly work with employers to design compliant, long-term immigration strategies that reduce turnover and support workforce stability.

What Candidates Should Do Next

For candidates without a provincial nomination, Express Entry Draw #393 reinforces an important lesson: relying solely on CRS score improvements may not be enough.

Strong next steps include:

• Targeting provinces aligned with your occupation
• Securing employer support where possible
• Keeping Express Entry profiles updated and accurate

A provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to secure an invitation, even in high-scoring draws. Express Entry Draw 393 confirms that provincial nominations are shaping Canada’s permanent residence system in 2026. With 423 ITAs issued and a CRS cutoff of 749, this draw highlights how candidates aligned with provincial priorities continue to receive fast-tracked invitations. ImmigCanada supports applicants at every stage with guidance from a Regulated Immigration Consultant, helping them turn provincial interest into permanent status with confidence and clarity.