Express Entry draw #396
Canadian Experience Class round held on February 17, 2026.
Quick answer
Express Entry draw #396 was a Canadian Experience Class round held on February 17, 2026. IRCC issued 6,000 invitations to apply, and the lowest CRS score invited was 508, 1 points lower than the previous CEC draw (#392).
CRS cut-off
508
-1 vs previous CEC draw (#392)
Invitations
6,000
Draw type
CEC
| Round | #396 |
|---|---|
| Date | February 17, 2026 |
| Round type | Canadian Experience Class |
| Invitations issued | 6,000 |
| Lowest CRS score invited | 508 |
| Tie-breaking rule | March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC |
If more than one candidate had the lowest score of 508, only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC were invited.
CRS score distribution of the pool
Profiles in the Express Entry pool as of February 15, 2026. This snapshot covers all candidates, not only those eligible for this round.
| CRS range | Profiles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 601-1200 | 280 | |
| 501-600 | 16,559 | |
| 451-500 | 73,609 | |
| 491-500 | 13,504 | |
| 481-490 | 13,248 | |
| 471-480 | 16,531 | |
| 461-470 | 15,426 | |
| 451-460 | 14,900 | |
| 401-450 | 64,305 | |
| 441-450 | 14,142 | |
| 431-440 | 14,239 | |
| 421-430 | 12,425 | |
| 411-420 | 12,183 | |
| 401-410 | 11,316 | |
| 351-400 | 53,650 | |
| 301-350 | 19,009 | |
| 0-300 | 8,283 | |
| Total | 235,695 |
How this round compares
- Its cut-off of 508 was the 3rd lowest of 18 CEC draws in 2026 (average 515).
- Compared with the previous CEC draw (#392, January 21, 2026): cut-off -1, invitations 6,000 → 6,000.
- Between the pool snapshots of February 2, 2026 and February 15, 2026, the pool changed by -3,225 profiles overall and +1,505 profiles above 500 points.
- Other rounds within four days: #398 Healthcare (467), #397 Physicians (169), #395 PNP (789).
Previous CEC draws
| Round | Date | Invitations | CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| #392 | January 21, 2026 | 6,000 | 509 |
| #390 | January 7, 2026 | 8,000 | 511 |
| #387 | December 16, 2025 | 5,000 | 515 |
| #384 | December 10, 2025 | 6,000 | 520 |
| #381 | November 26, 2025 | 1,000 | 531 |
Frequently asked questions
What was the CRS cut-off for Express Entry draw #396?+
508. IRCC invited 6,000 candidates in this Canadian Experience Class round on February 17, 2026; everyone invited had a CRS score of at least 508.
What was the tie-breaking rule in draw #396?+
March 16, 2025 at 09:35:59 UTC. Candidates with exactly 508 points were invited only if they submitted their profile before that date and time.
Who could be invited in draw #396?+
Only candidates eligible for the CEC round type. Program-specific rounds open only to candidates eligible for the Canadian Experience Class — people with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
Check your CRS score to see how you compare with this round.
Source: IRCC rounds of invitations.