
In its latest Express Entry draw on 21st July, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has invited a total of 202 candidates to apply for Canadian PR through the Provincial Nominee Program category.
This is the third Express Entry draw of the month, and the second in its category of Provincial Nominee Programs.
Also Read IRCC Issues 202 ITAs in the Third Express Entry Draw of the Month
To be eligible for this draw, applicants had to:
- a minimum score of 788 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS);
- and made a candidate profile for Express Entry before 11:50 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on 5 June 2025.
List of Express Entry draws in 2025
Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
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 |
What the Most Recent Developments Mean for Applicants to Canada’s Express Entry in 2025 Over 40
In 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system will be advancing rapidly, with invites sent out regularly to a variety of qualified professionals. There have been several drawings in July alone, including ones for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and those nominated through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These draws are part of a larger 2025 trend in which Canada is using Express Entry to fill labor shortages in particular industries as well as to choose the profiles with the highest scores.
Express Number Entry: A Mid-Year Overview
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has sent out more over 45,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through different Express Entry streams so far this year. The goal is still to draw in talent by:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – 13 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – 7 draws
- French-speaking skilled workers – 3 draws
- Healthcare and social service professionals – 2 draws
- Education sector workers – 1 draw
The draw calendar in recent months shows a pattern: the majority of invites are sent out every two weeks, with targeted draws in between PNP and CEC rounds.
Still Dreaming of Canadian PR at Over 40? This Is Important for You to Know
“Am I too old for Express Entry?” is a frequently asked question among applicants.
No, although there are certain restrictions.
Impact of age on the Express Entry profiles
Candidates between the ages of 20 and 29 receive the most age-related points (110 total) according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). After the age of 30, the points rapidly decrease. For example:
- You receive 50 points when you turn 40.
- The score falls to zero at age 45.
Even while this decrease may appear depressing, there is still hope. Express Entry considers the strength of the profile as a whole, not simply age. There are still competitive possibilities for older candidates to increase their opportunities.
Two Effective PR Routes for Candidates Over Forty
1. Draws Based on Categories: Skills Above Scores
Category-based selection draws, which prioritize skills, occupations, or language proficiency above raw CRS scores, were implemented by the IRCC in 2025. Many applicants who might not have previously qualified under general draws now have more opportunities thanks to this change.
In contrast to recent CEC-specific rounds, which have had CRS cut-offs of over 520 points, category-based draws have so far had cut-offs as low as 379 points. Even if their age lowers their overall CRS, this offers qualified workers in priority industries like healthcare, STEM, trades, transportation, and agriculture a reasonable chance of getting an invitation.
This approach can be your breakthrough for Express Entry if you work in one of the priority occupations.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): A Significant Increase
PNPs are still one of the greatest routes for individuals over 40 to obtain permanent residency through Express Entry. Almost every province (except Quebec and Nunavut) offers Express Entry-style nomination streams, which frequently target skilled professionals.
Receiving a provincial nomination gives 600 bonus CRS points, effectively raising your score over any draw requirement. This means that even if you score poorly owing to your age, a nomination can propel you to the top of the candidate list.
Provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia routinely propose people over the age of 40 based on their job experience, abilities, and occupational demand—regardless of age-related point reductions.