Canada’s Express Entry system continues to lean heavily on provincial immigration pathways, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducting yet another draw dedicated exclusively to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This marks the second straight week in which provincially nominated applicants have been prioritised, underlining the growing role provinces play in shaping Canada’s permanent residence intake.
Also Read Canada Continues PNP-Focused Express Entry Draws With Another Round of Invitations
Details of the Most Recent Express Entry Selection Round
In the latest invitation round, IRCC extended 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had already received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory. As expected in a PNP-focused draw, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) threshold remained elevated.
To receive an invitation, candidates had to meet the following requirements:
- Possess an active Express Entry profile
- Achieve a minimum CRS score of 731
- Have submitted their profile before 7:18 a.m. (UTC) on October 18, 2025
The high CRS cut-off reflects the additional points awarded to candidates who secure a provincial nomination, significantly boosting their ranking within the Express Entry pool.
December Sees Rapid-Fire Draws Across Multiple Categories
The December draw schedule has been particularly intense, with IRCC issuing invitations across several streams within a short span of time. The most recent PNP draw comes on the heels of:
- A targeted draw for healthcare and social services occupations
- The largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw recorded in the past 16 months
- The largest PNP draw of the entire year, held earlier in December
Together, these back-to-back selections indicate a strong year-end push as IRCC works to finalise its 2025 immigration intake.
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- Canada’s Express Entry Pool Shrinks as Invitation Surge Clears High CRS Scores
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- IRCC Conducts New Express Entry Draw Targeting Canadian Experience Class Candidates
Express Entry Draw Activity Throughout 2025
The table below outlines Express Entry draws conducted in 2025, showcasing the diversity of draw types, invitation volumes, and CRS cut-off scores over the year.
| Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off |
| December 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 399 | 731 |
| December 11 | Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2) | 1000 | 476 |
| December 10 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 520 |
| December 8 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,123 | 729 |
| November 28 | French Language Proficiency | 6,000 | 408 |
| November 25 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 531 |
| November 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| November 14 | Healthcare & Social Services | 3,500 | 462 |
| November 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| November 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
| October 29 | French Language Proficiency | 6,000 | 416 |
| October 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| October 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| October 15 | Healthcare & Social Services | 2,500 | 472 |
| October 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| October 6 | French Language Proficiency | 4,500 | 432 |
| October 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| September 18 | Trade | 1,250 | 505 |
| September 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| September 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| September 4 | French Language Proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| September 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| August 19 | Healthcare & Social Services | 2,500 | 470 |
| August 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 8 | French Language Proficiency | 2,500 | 481 |
| August 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| August 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| July 22 | Healthcare & Social Services | 4,000 | 475 |
| July 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| July 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| July 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| June 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 23 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare & Social Services | 500 | 504 |
| June 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare & Social Services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French Language Proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French Language Proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French Language Proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Total Invitations Near 103,000 as 2025 Nears Its End
With the most recent draw included, IRCC has now issued 102,998 invitations through the Express Entry system in 2025. The distribution of draw types reveals a deliberate focus on addressing workforce shortages, supporting regional immigration goals, and strengthening Canada’s bilingual labour force.
Number of Draws Conducted by Category
| Category | Draws Held |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 23 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 14 |
| French Language Proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
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- Canada’s Express Entry Pool Shrinks as Invitation Surge Clears High CRS Scores
- Express Entry Sees Major Shift as CRS Falls to 399 in Latest IRCC Invitation Round
- IRCC Conducts New Express Entry Draw Targeting Canadian Experience Class Candidates
- IRCC Issues Another PNP-Only Express Entry Draw in December
- Canada Prioritises Healthcare Talent in Latest Express Entry Selection Round
- Canada Surprises CEC Candidates With Record-Breaking Express Entry Draw
- Canada Rolls Out New 2026 Immigration Pathways to Bring More Doctors Into the Healthcare System
Which Candidates Have Received the Most Invitations?
While PNP draws have occurred frequently, the highest number of invitations overall has gone to candidates selected under language- and experience-based categories.
| Stream | ITAs Issued |
| French Language Proficiency | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 30,850 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,775 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
Outlook for Express Entry Applicants
The consistent emphasis on provincial nominations and category-based draws suggests that candidates may benefit from strategic alignment with provincial labour needs or targeted occupation streams. Applicants with Canadian work experience, French-language ability, or experience in priority sectors remain well-positioned as IRCC continues to fine-tune its selection approach.
As 2025 draws to a close, Express Entry remains firmly centred on targeted immigration, with provinces playing a decisive role in shaping who receives an invitation for Canadian permanent residence.
