Canada's Express Entry: Latest Draw Sees PNP Favoured Again, 511 Candidates Invited
加拿大移民、难民及公民部（IRCC）于2025年5月12日（加拿大时间）进行了本月第三次快速通道（Express Entry）抽签，再次将橄榄枝伸向了已获得省提名（PNP）的候选人群体。
在此次专项抽签中，共有511名已成功获得加拿大某一省份或地区提名的申请人收到了宝贵的移民邀请函（ITA）。获邀者需满足以下两个核心条件方能入选：
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 706; and
- Created an Express Entry candidate profile before 10:35 p.m., Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on 4 March, 2025.
This PNP-specific draw followed category-based selections on May 1 for education professionals and May 2 for healthcare and social services professionals, constituting IRCC's intensive talent acquisition efforts in May. These targeted invitations reflect Canada's strategy to actively address labor shortages in key sectors.
To date, the total number of ITAs issued through the Express Entry system in 2025 has steadily risen to 33,940.
In-depth Analysis of 2025 Express Entry Draw Trends
Reviewing the Express Entry invitation strategy for 2025 thus far, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates have undoubtedly been a primary focus for IRCC, dominating in terms of draw frequency. Other draws have concentrated on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, as well as those in IRCC's priority categories for 2025, such as French-speaking candidates and professionals in the education, healthcare, and social services sectors.
Below is a detailed record of Express Entry draws in 2025 to date:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Number of Express Entry Draws by Category in 2025:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 8 |
| French-language proficiency | 3 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 3 |
| Education | 1 |
| Healthcare and social services | 1 |
Understanding the Express Entry Applicant Pool
Canada's Express Entry system attracts a diverse pool of applicants from over 100 countries annually. It is important to note that Canada selects skilled immigrants based not on their country of origin, but on their potential to succeed in the Canadian labor market, as assessed by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS meticulously evaluates candidates on a range of human capital attributes, including age, education level, proficiency in English and/or French, Canadian and foreign work experience, and whether they have a Canadian job offer or provincial nomination. This merit-based selection model ensures Canada can accurately attract highly skilled individuals with diverse expertise and occupational backgrounds from around the world, continuously fueling the nation's economic prosperity and social development.
Canada to Introduce Multiple New Permanent Residence Pathways in 2026
Canada’s federal government is preparing to launch and reopen several permanent residence (PR) pathways in 2026, with a strong focus on transitioning more temporary residents already living in the country. The upcoming year will also see new or expanded PR routes for H-1B professionals, construction workers, agricultural and fish processing employees, and refugee-skilled candidates. Multiple pilots that reached their caps in 2025 are expected to reopen. As many details remain pending, 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year of structural updates to Canada’s immigration system.
12/04/2025
Nova Scotia Overhauls Provincial Nominee and AIP Selection System with New EOI Model
On November 28, 2025, Nova Scotia announced a major shift in its immigration intake system, confirming that all submissions under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) will now be processed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) model. Under the new rules, all submissions—regardless of submission date—are considered EOIs, and having a case ID or meeting eligibility criteria no longer guarantees file processing. The province will conduct periodic draws based on current labor market and economic priorities, with priority sectors such as healthcare, construction, trades, STEM, natural resources, and manufacturing. The shift aligns with broader trends driven by reduced provincial nomination allocations from IRCC. With increased immigration targets set for 2026, applicants may soon see improved chances of receiving selections.
12/03/2025
Ontario plans new skilled immigration pathways as Bill 30 expands provincial authority over OINP
Ontario is preparing to introduce new permanent residence pathways under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), targeting newcomers in fields such as research, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. Immigration Minister David Piccini announced on November 25 that the province intends to launch a new “talent stream” to recognize excellence in these sectors. With Bill 30 (the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025) receiving Royal Assent on November 27, the suspension of the Skilled Trades Stream, and expected increases in provincial nomination allocations for 2026, Ontario is restructuring its immigration program to support more targeted and flexible selection mechanisms.
12/02/2025
Overview of Canada’s Business Immigration Pathways: Federal and Provincial Options for Investors and Entrepreneurs
Canada offers multiple immigration pathways for individuals who wish to immigrate through entrepreneurship or business investment, including the federal Start-Up Visa (SUV), several federal work permit categories, provincial entrepreneur programs, and the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. Each pathway carries distinct requirements related to investment amounts, business experience, language proficiency, and documentation. With frequent policy changes and complex due-diligence procedures, many applicants work with immigration lawyers or licensed consultants to select the right program, prepare documentation, and maintain compliance to improve approval outcomes and protect their investment.
12/01/2025
IRCC issues 6,000 Express Entry invitations with second-lowest CRS cut-off of 2025
On November 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another round of Express Entry invitations, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the French-language proficiency category. This round’s minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was 408 — the second-lowest score recorded in 2025. It marks the eighth French-language draw of the year and the third-largest overall. With this round completed, French-speaking candidates have now received 42,000 ITAs in 2025, continuing to lead all categories. Year-to-date, IRCC has issued a total of 94,476 ITAs through the Express Entry system.
11/29/2025
Canada holds second monthly CEC draw, CRS score drops to lowest level since July
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another Express Entry draw on November 26, 2025, inviting 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. This round set a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 531—the lowest CEC cut-off since July—and ended a five-draw streak where the CRS threshold was locked at 533 or 534. To date, IRCC has issued a total of 88,476 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in 2025.
11/28/2025
Canada Announces 2026 Study Permit Target: Total Allocation Reduced to 408,000, Down 7% from 2025
On November 25, the Government of Canada officially released its 2026 study permit allocation and distribution plan for international students. According to newly published data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the total number of study permits to be issued in 2026 will be capped at 408,000. This continues the federal government’s trend of tightening temporary resident levels, representing a 7% decrease from the 2025 cap of 437,000 and a 16% decrease compared to 485,000 in 2024. The new plan outlines detailed allocation rules by student category, confirms exemptions from Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) for master’s and PhD students, and distributes PAL-required application volumes and anticipated approvals across provinces based on population share.
11/27/2025
Manitoba invites more in-Canada and overseas skilled workers to apply for provincial nomination
On November 21, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued 35 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to skilled workers both inside and outside Canada. This round of selections continued to prioritize candidates identified through Strategic Recruitment Initiatives (SRIs), including Employer Services, Francophone Community, Regional Communities, and the Temporary Public Policy. The program also reminded applicants to ensure all key information—such as language test numbers and invitation numbers—is correctly entered to avoid affecting their eligibility.
11/26/2025
Prince Edward Island Holds Largest Provincial Nominee Draw of the Year, Focusing on In-Province Workers and International Graduates
The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) recently conducted its largest immigration draw of the year, issuing invitations to apply for provincial nomination to nearly 200 candidates through the "Labour & Express Entry" category. This draw primarily targeted candidates already working in the province, while giving priority consideration to applicants with French language proficiency and international graduates from specific institutions. This move reflects the province's strategic intent to attract skilled talent capable of directly contributing to the local economy.
11/25/2025
British Columbia Expands Entrepreneur Immigration Invitations, Marking Largest Draw of 2025
On November 18, British Columbia held its largest entrepreneur immigration draw of the year, issuing invitations through both the Base and Regional streams of its Entrepreneur Immigration Program. Minimum scores and invitation numbers varied by stream, reflecting the province’s continued 2025 strategy of prioritizing candidates with high economic impact.
11/24/2025
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