Express Entry Invitations Continue for PNP Candidates in Back-to-Back Draws

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to prioritize candidates already aligned with provincial and labor-market needs. In the most recent Express Entry draw, IRCC issued 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP ) , marking another consecutive draw focused on provincial nominees.

To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to have:

A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 731

An Express Entry profile created before 7:18 a.m. UTC on October 18, 2025

This draw reflects IRCC’s ongoing strategy of prioritizing candidates with strong provincial backing, particularly as provinces address regional labor shortages and demographic gaps.

Express Entry Draws At A Glance (2025)

Instead of a static table, the 2025 draw summary has been converted into a visual infographic to make trends easier to understand and share.

The infographic highlights:

Draw dates

Draw types

Number of ITAs issued

CRS cut-off scores

This visual format makes it clear how CRS thresholds and draw sizes vary by program type, especially when comparing PNP, CEC, French-language proficiency, and occupation-based draws.

Infographic showing Express Entry Draws At A Glance (2025)

What The High CRS Score Means For PNP Candidates

A CRS cut-off of 731 may appear extremely high at first glance, but this is typical for PNP-specific draws. Provincial nominations automatically add 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile.

This means most invited candidates likely had:

A base CRS score in the low-to-mid 100s

A confirmed provincial nomination

Strong alignment with provincial labor priorities

For candidates without a nomination, this draw underscores that PNP pathways are now among the most reliable routes to receiving an ITA.

Total Express Entry Invitations Issued In 2025

As of the end of 2025, IRCC issued 106,998 ITAs through the Express Entry system. While multiple categories were targeted, the majority of draws were concentrated around specific programs rather than general all-program draws.

Distribution Of ITAs By Category

French Language Proficiency: 48,000 ITAs

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 35,850 ITAs

Healthcare and Social Services: 14,500 ITAs

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 10,898 ITAs

Education: 3,500 ITAs

Trade Occupations: 1,250 ITAs

This breakdown shows that language skills, Canadian work experience, and occupation-specific demand are playing a greater role than ever in Express Entry selections.

Frequency Of Draws By Program Type

IRCC also adjusted how often each category was invited throughout the year:

Provincial Nominee Program: 24 draws

Canadian Experience Class: 15 draws

French-language proficiency: 9 draws

Healthcare and social services: 7 draws

Other targeted categories: fewer, more selective rounds

The high number of PNP draws confirms that provinces are acting as key drivers of permanent residence admissions.

How Recent Draws Fit Into IRCC’s Broader Strategy

The December draws followed a clear and deliberate pattern:

December 8: Largest PNP draw of the year

December 10: Largest CEC draw in over 16 months

December 11: Major healthcare and social services draw

December 16: Another PNP-focused draw

Rather than random selection, these draws indicate coordinated planning between IRCC and provincial governments to meet workforce needs before year-end targets.