In early July, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) initiated the first Express Entry (EE) draw of the month. This was a targeted draw specifically for candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

According to official data, 356 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in this round. To be eligible, candidates needed to meet two criteria:

• A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 750.
• They must have created and submitted their EE profile before 4:09 a.m. UTC on March 19, 2025.

It is worth noting that the high cut-off score of 750 is typical for PNP-specific draws. This is because once a candidate secures a provincial nomination, they automatically receive an additional 600 CRS points. This significantly boosts their total score, giving them a decisive advantage in targeted draws.

2025 in Review: PNP-Dominated Draws with Over 42,000 ITAs Issued

This draw marks the beginning of invitation rounds for July. Throughout 2025, IRCC has been highly active with its Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 42,201 ITAs to date this year.

In terms of draw categories, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has been the clear focus, with 12 draws conducted, making it the dominant category. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) follows with 6 draws.

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 12 draws
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 6 draws
• French-language proficiency candidates: 3 draws
• Healthcare and social services occupations: 2 draws
• Education occupations: 1 draw

Recent Trends: Alternating CEC and PNP Draws Become the New Norm, Easing Pressure on the High-Score Pool

Since mid-May, Express Entry draws have shown a distinct and regular pattern. With the exception of one category-based selection draw, all other invitation rounds have alternated between the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This consistent alternation has been in place for the last month and a half, and analysts suggest it may represent IRCC's primary selection strategy for the foreseeable future.

The direct impact of this strategy is visible in the composition of the Express Entry pool. According to the latest official data, the consistent invitations to high-scoring candidates have led to a noticeable monthly decrease in the number of profiles in both the 600+ and the 501-600 CRS score ranges. This marks the first collective decline for this high-scoring group in at least six months.

For the many applicants still waiting in the pool, this is undoubtedly a positive signal. A reduction in the number of high-scoring candidates implies a potential easing of competition, which could lead to lower CRS cut-off scores for other draw types (such as general or CEC-specific draws) in the future. Our publication will continue to monitor developments in the Express Entry system to provide applicants with the latest and most professional immigration news.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025