Express Entry 334th Round Draw: 455 Invitations Issued for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates, Minimum CRS Score of 802
On February 4, IRCC issued 455 invitations to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in the 334th round of Express Entry. The draw requires applicants to submit their profiles before the deadline (by 19:39 UTC on December 7, 2024), with a CRS score of no less than 802.
Since July 2024, IRCC has gradually adjusted its draw strategy, focusing more on candidates who meet the criteria for PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and other specific categories. This strategy adjustment aligns with the federal annual immigration plan and aims to attract applicants with relevant professional skills and language advantages in Canada. In 2025, IRCC is particularly focused on priority categories, including healthcare, skilled trades, and French language proficiency, to ensure that newly introduced talents can better serve the country’s economic and social development.
Overview of the Express Entry System
As Canada’s primary economic immigration management platform, the Express Entry system integrates the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Applicants must first submit their profiles online, which are evaluated based on the CRS. The CRS score is based on factors such as the applicant’s education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria. Candidates with higher CRS scores have a greater chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the draw and can submit a complete permanent resident (PR) application within 60 days after receiving an ITA.
The application process can be broken down into the following seven steps:
- Confirm eligibility: Understand and ensure eligibility for one of the Express Entry-managed programs.
- Prepare documents: Complete language tests, collect educational credentials, and other required documents.
- Submit the candidate profile: Register and submit the personal profile on the IRCC website, where the system will assign a CRS score.
- Wait in the candidate pool: After submission, applicants enter the pool and await selection based on IRCC’s draw strategy.
- Submit complete application: After receiving an ITA, applicants must submit their complete PR application documents (including police certificates, proof of funds, medical reports, etc.) within 60 days.
- Biometrics collection: If required, visit a designated location to collect biometric information.
- Approval and landing: After IRCC processes the application and approves it, the applicant will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and the corresponding visa, and must complete the final landing procedures in Canada.
Through this draw and the subsequent improved application process, IRCC has not only optimized the mechanism for attracting skilled workers but also injected new vitality into Canada’s economic development and population structure optimization. Experts believe that this trend in the draws signals precise adjustments in Canada’s immigration policy, and more eligible applicants will have the opportunity to achieve their Canadian dream.
2025 Express Entry Invitation Summary
| Date | Invitation Category | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 5, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4000 | 521 |
| February 4, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4000 | 527 |
| January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1350 | 542 |
| January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026–2028 Q&A: Understanding the Impact, Priorities, and Opportunities
On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially released the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, maintaining annual permanent resident targets at 380,000 for the next three years while gradually reducing the number of temporary residents—including international students and foreign workers. The plan aims to balance population growth with Canada’s housing, healthcare, and infrastructure capacity, while increasing the share of economic and francophone immigrants. This Q&A explains the plan’s key points, policy direction, and what it means for prospective applicants.
11/06/2025
Canada Announces 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Permanent Resident Targets Stabilized, Temporary Resident Numbers Tightened
On November 4, 2025, the Government of Canada officially released the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, setting an annual target of 380,000 permanent residents for each of the next three years. The plan aims to maintain steady immigration growth while tightening the inflow of temporary residents—including international students and foreign workers. Announced as part of the 2025 federal budget, the plan marks a policy shift from “expansion” to “stabilization,” emphasizing the balance between immigration growth and the country’s capacity in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
11/05/2025
Canada Updates Immigration Medical Exam Requirements for Temporary Residence Applicants — Four Countries Added, Six Removed
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced an update to the list of countries whose citizens must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) when applying for temporary residence in Canada. Effective November 3, 2025, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Venezuela have been added to the list, while Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, and Taiwan have been removed. Applicants from newly added countries will now need to complete an IME, whereas those from the removed regions will no longer be required to do so. The new rules apply to individuals who have lived in or traveled to these countries for six consecutive months within the year before their intended arrival in Canada.
11/04/2025
Manitoba PNP issues 29 invitations to skilled workers, focusing on candidates with special work permits
On October 31, 2025, Manitoba issued 29 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under the Skilled Worker Stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw primarily targeted candidates already working in the province on facilitated work permits. Of the total invitations, 19 were issued under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), while the rest were distributed among Francophone, regional, and employer-based recruitment initiatives.
11/03/2025
Prince Edward Island Holds Surprise PNP Draw Targeting International Graduates
On October 27, 2025, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) conducted an unannounced draw, issuing 159 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. The selection specifically targeted international graduates from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Holland College, and Collège de l’Île who are currently living and working in the province. The move breaks from PEI’s regular draw schedule, signaling the province’s intention to accelerate its intake of skilled talent with local education and employment experience.
11/01/2025
Newfoundland and Labrador issues 100 invitations in latest 2025 draw
On October 22, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador issued a total of 100 invitations through its Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — the lowest number of invitations in a single draw so far this year. Of these, 55 invitations were issued under the NLPNP and 45 under the AIP. The province did not disclose which specific NLPNP streams were included in this round, but as of now, Newfoundland and Labrador has held 12 selection rounds across both programs in 2025.
10/31/2025
Canada Holds Third-Largest Express Entry Draw of 2025, Issuing 6,000 ITAs to French-Speaking Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the third-largest Express Entry draw of 2025 on October 29, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 416. This result highlights IRCC’s continued commitment to supporting French-speaking communities across Canada through its language-focused immigration policies. So far, French-speaking candidates have received the most invitations this year, underscoring the federal government’s priority on promoting bilingualism and balanced demographic growth.
10/30/2025
IRCC Invites 1,000 Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new round of Express Entry invitations on October 28, 2025, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. To be eligible for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 533 and must have created their Express Entry profile before 4:16 a.m. UTC on March 21, 2025. This was the 11th CEC-specific draw of 2025, and the fourth consecutive CEC draw with a consistent invitation size of 1,000 and CRS cut-off around 533–534 points — demonstrating continued stability in this program’s selection trend.
10/29/2025
IRCC Holds Another Provincial Nominee Program Draw, Inviting 302 Candidates
On October 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw through the Express Entry system, issuing 302 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates. This was the second PNP draw of October and the fifth overall Express Entry draw this month, highlighting the federal government’s continued focus on supporting provincial immigration priorities.
10/28/2025
Prince Edward Island Holds Second Largest Provincial Nominee Draw of 2025, Focusing on Priority Occupations and International Graduates
On October 17, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) conducted its second-largest immigration draw of the year under the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), issuing 160 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination. The draw primarily targeted skilled workers already employed in the province in priority occupations, as well as international graduates from designated educational institutions. As of October 26, 2025, PEI has issued a total of 1,081 ITAs through its PNP this year.
10/27/2025
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