The draw was program-specific, meaning only candidates with an eligible provincial nomination through Express Entry were considered.
Key Highlights of Express Entry Draw 393
- Draw number: 393
- Date and time: February 3, 2026, at 13:21:40 UTC
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP-only)
- Number of ITAs issued: 423
- Minimum CRS score: 749
- Tie-breaking rule: December 16, 2025, at 22:30:36 UTC
Candidates with the same CRS score were ranked based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles, with earlier submissions receiving priority.
Which Express Entry Program Was Targeted?
This draw exclusively targeted candidates eligible under the Provincial Nominee class within the Express Entry system. As a result, candidates under the following programs were not included:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Only applicants who had received a provincial nomination aligned with Express Entry were ranked and invited in this round.
Why Did the CRS Score Reach 749?
How Provincial Nomination Affects CRS
Candidates nominated by a Canadian province or territory receive an additional 600 CRS points. This bonus significantly elevates their overall score and explains why CRS cut-offs in PNP-only draws are consistently higher than in all-program or category-based rounds.
In practical terms, most candidates invited in draw 393 likely had a base CRS score between 140 and 190, with the provincial nomination pushing their total above 700.
Limited Invitations and High Competition
IRCC issued only 423 ITAs, making this a highly selective round. The combination of a small invitation count and a PNP-only filter resulted in a narrow selection window and a high cut-off score.
How Express Entry Draw 393 Compares to Recent PNP Draws
Compared to previous PNP-only draws, Express Entry draw 393 reflects several ongoing trends:
- Smaller draw sizes, indicating targeted provincial intake
- Consistently high CRS thresholds, driven by nomination bonuses
- Increased reliance on provincial selection rather than federal all-program draws
These patterns suggest that provinces continue to play a central role in shaping Canada’s economic immigration intake in 2026.
Conclusion
Express Entry draw 393 reinforces a clear message for 2026: provincial nomination has become one of the most reliable and powerful routes to Canadian permanent residence. With high CRS thresholds and limited invitations, candidates who align their profiles with provincial priorities stand the strongest chance of success in the Express Entry system.