Canada Holds First-Ever Express Entry Draw for Physicians with Second-Lowest CRS Score
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Canada has conducted its first-ever Express Entry draw dedicated to physicians with Canadian work experience, issuing 391 invitations to apply for permanent residence with a historic low CRS cut-off of just 169 points.
On February 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw under the newly established Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category. Notably, the CRS score of 169 marks the lowest cut-off ever seen in any Express Entry invitation round, highlighting IRCC’s strong push to accelerate PR pathways for international physicians.
The draw results highlights are as follows:
- Invitations to Apply (ITAs) Issued: 391
- Minimum CRS Score: 169
- Tie-breaking Rule: January 3, 2026, at 3:25 a.m. UTC
Summary of Express Entry Draws So Far in 2026
IRCC has held nine draws in 2026 so far, issuing 30,848 ITAs, with a focus on in-Canada candidates like those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience.
|
Draw Date |
Draw Type |
CRS Cut-off |
ITAs Issued |
|
February 19 |
Physicians with Canadian work experience |
169 |
391 |
|
February 17 |
Canadian Experience Class |
508 |
6,000 |
|
February 16 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
789 |
279 |
|
February 6 |
French-Language proficiency |
400 |
8,500 |
|
February 3 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
749 |
423 |
|
January 21 |
Canadian Experience Class |
509 |
6,000 |
|
January 20 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
746 |
681 |
|
January 7 |
Canadian Experience Class |
511 |
8,000 |
|
January 5 |
Provincial Nominee Program |
711 |
574 |
Also Read: Latest Canada Express Entry Draw Records Lowest CRS, Invites 6,000 Candidates to PR
Category-Based Draws
Draw Type | Number of Draws | ITAs Issued |
Canadian Experience Class | 3 | 20,000 |
French-Language proficiency | 1 | 8,500 |
Provincial Nominee Program | 4 | 1,534 |
Physicians with Canadian work experience | 1 | 391 |
Also Read: 681 PNP Candidates Receive ITAs in the Latest Express Entry Draw
Explore Your Canada Immigration Options With GetGIS
For personalised assistance with your Canada immigration process in 2026, consider reaching out to GetGIS. Our Canada PR assistance team provides end-to-end assistance with all your Canada immigration process and requirements, needed to ensure your safe immigration and integration into Canada.
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