Canada opened in December 2025 with a significant development in its immigration system, releasing its largest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)–specific Express Entry draw of the year on December 8th. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 1,123 candidates who were nominated by provincial governments, marking another strong month of activity across Canada’s economic immigration streams.
This draw adds to an already high-volume year for Express Entry selections, with authorities continuing to prioritise candidates aligned with provincial labour needs and national workforce strategies.
Also Read Express Entry Draw #383 : IRCC Issues 1,123 Invitations to PNP Candidates For PR
Latest Express Entry Draw Highlights
The December PNP round on December 8th was restricted to candidates holding a provincial nomination, making this draw particularly competitive. According to IRCC:
- Applicants required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 729
- Profiles must have been submitted before 5:10 a.m. UTC on March 5, 2025
With this, IRCC continues to reinforce the critical role provinces play in filling key labour shortages through their nominee programs.
Express Entry Activity in 2025 So Far
The following table summarises all Express Entry draws held this year, reflecting the diversity of selection categories, ranging from PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to occupation-focused and French-language proficiency rounds.
Express Entry Draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 |
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IRCC’s Draw Strategy in 2025
With the latest round completed, total invitations issued this year have reached 95,599 ITAs. While multiple categories were targeted throughout 2025, provincial nominations and CEC selections have been the year’s major focus areas.
IRCC has also continued to deliver category-based draws aligned with critical occupations, including healthcare, trades, education, and French-language proficiency, balancing national and provincial labour market priorities.
Draw Frequency by Category
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 22 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 13 |
| French-language proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare and social services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
Total Invitations Issued by Stream in 2025
The following table outlines how many invitations each draw category has contributed this year:
| Draw type | ITAs issued to date |
| French | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,376 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
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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
What This Means for Applicants
The latest PNP-focused draw signals that IRCC is continuing to prioritise candidates already endorsed by provincial governments – an approach that helps provinces quickly meet urgent workforce demands. With high CRS cut-offs in nomination-based draws and increased competition across categories, applicants are encouraged to keep their Express Entry profiles up to date and explore provincial opportunities to improve their chances.
Canada is expected to continue releasing high volumes of invitations as it progresses through its 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
