Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially launched its first Express Entry selection round for August on August 6, 2025. This was a targeted draw, with invitations extended exclusively to candidates who had successfully secured a nomination from a Canadian province (Provincial Nominee Program, PNP).

According to official data, a total of 225 PNP candidates received a valuable Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this round. Notably, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off was set at 739. Since candidates who receive a provincial nomination automatically gain an additional 600 points toward their CRS score, this means the invited candidates had a base score of at least 139 before their nomination.

Furthermore, IRCC applied its tie-breaking rule. To be invited in this round, candidates not only needed a CRS score of 739 but must also have created and submitted their Express Entry profile before 6:35 a.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on April 23, 2025. This rule ensures that among candidates with the same score, those who entered the pool earlier were prioritized.

Review and Analysis of 2025 Express Entry Draws

This draw marks the first selection of August, following a more varied month in July which included a targeted draw for the Healthcare and social services category (July 22), another PNP-specific draw (July 21), and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw (July 8).

To date, IRCC has issued a cumulative total of 49,628 Invitations to Apply through the Express Entry system in 2025.

Analyzing the draw strategy for the year, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has been the clear priority. The remaining ITAs have been primarily allocated to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), those with French-language proficiency, and applicants in other priority occupation categories. The breakdown of draws held so far in 2025 is as follows:

Recent Draw Patterns Emerge

Observing recent draw activity reveals a predictable pattern in IRCC's selection strategy. Since June 10, 2025, the department has generally maintained a steady rhythm of holding draws for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) every two weeks.

Concurrently, targeted draws for specific in-demand occupations have also been conducted with regular frequency. For example, the Healthcare and social services category has seen one targeted draw in each of the last three months (May, June, and July). This clearly demonstrates Canada's sustained efforts to address labor shortages in this critical sector.

In summary, IRCC's Express Entry strategy in 2025 shows a clear bias: on one hand, it empowers provinces with greater selection authority through the PNP; on the other, it precisely targets French-speaking talent and professionals in specific sectors (like healthcare and education) through category-based draws. For future applicants, securing a provincial nomination or having a background in a targeted occupation will be key to increasing their chances of being invited.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025