Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, but this time it is for the candidates who have been nominated through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). 192 Invitation to Apply (ITAs) were issued on August 18, 2025, with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 800 being the minimum.
To be eligible, candidates should have had their Express Entry profile as of February 11, 2025, at 7:17 p.m. (UTC). The draw is the second August PNP-specific round and is among the most competitive rounds of the year due to its high CRS cut-off.
Also Read Canada Holds New Express Entry Round Targeting Provincial Nominee Applicants
Recent Draws in August 2025
August has particularly been hectic for Express Entry candidates, with four draws already taking place this month in various categories:
- August 18 – PNP draw, 192 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 800
- August 8 – IELTS test, 2,500 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 481
- August 7 – Canadian Experience Class (CEC), 1,000 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 534
- August 6 – PNP draw, 225 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 739
The new PNP draw is the second-highest CRS cut of 2025, just short of the record-breaking 802 points required in the February 4 PNP draw.
Express Entry Draws in 2025 Breakdown
Since the beginning of the year, IRCC has been making a series of targeted draws from Express Entry. These targeted draws have been for not only PNP candidates but also for candidates with French language skills, Canadian work experience, and candidates with targeted occupations such as healthcare, social services, and education.
As of 2025 to present, 53,320 cumulative ITAs have been released. Below is the category distribution of the draws:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 15 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 8 draws
- French-language skills: 4 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 3 draws
- Education: 1 draw
This distribution prioritizes continued utilization by the government of PNPs as the largest source of skilled immigration, while still upholding Canada’s labor market priorities and bilingualism goals.
All the 2025 Express Entry Draws Till Date
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| 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 |
Why PNP Draws Matter
The PNP stream enables provinces and territories to select candidates who will be best positioned to meet their regional labor market needs. Provincial nominees get an extra 600 CRS points, which significantly enhances their opportunities of receiving an ITA.
The higher CRS cutoffs in Express Entry’s PNP draws, typically above 700, show the greater value of the provincial nomination in the Express Entry system.
What to Expect for the Rest of 2025
With over 53,000 ITAs already shared, IRCC is ready to hold another record-breaking year of immigration. With already two consecutive draws in place in August, the department is keeping a fast pace to meet its immigration targets.
Upcoming draws are expected to keep the mix of PNP-specific ITAs with CEC applicants, French speakers, and priority occupation invitations. Invitation candidates are encouraged to keep their Express Entry profiles current and consider other options like provincial nomination or improving language scores to make themselves more competitive.
