Canada Holds Third Provincial Nominee Program Draw of March 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third Express Entry draw of March, inviting candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 536 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, as the Canadian government continues to invite skilled workers to help meet the country’s growing labor market needs.
Details of the March 17, 2025, Express Entry Draw
In the most recent draw, candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 736 or higher were selected. To be considered eligible for this draw, candidates needed to have created an Express Entry profile before 2:02 PM Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on March 12, 2025.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in March 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the draws that have taken place in March 2025 so far:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French Language Proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
Recent Trends in Express Entry Draws
The month of March has seen some noteworthy developments in the Express Entry program. This most recent draw follows a French-language proficiency draw on March 6, which invited 4,500 candidates with a cut-off score of 410. Additionally, the March 3 PNP draw invited 725 candidates with a cut-off score of 667.
Overall, Express Entry draws in 2025 have alternated between targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, PNP candidates, and those with French-language proficiency. In fact, some of the year’s larger draws have seen the issuance of thousands of ITAs, with the February 5 CEC draw issuing 4,000 invitations and a CRS cut-off score of 521. Similarly, two recent French-language draws have each invited over 4,000 candidates.
Priority Categories for 2025
In February 2025, IRCC released its list of priority categories for the year, which will guide the selection process for Express Entry candidates. The categories include:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
These priority categories reflect Canada’s commitment to addressing labor shortages in specific sectors, such as healthcare, trade, and education, as well as encouraging French-speaking immigration.
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online system used by Canada to manage applications for three key economic immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Candidates who create an Express Entry profile are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates various factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). For example, candidates who are nominated under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) automatically receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly boosting their chances.
CRS Points for PNP Candidates
For PNP candidates, the CRS score tends to be higher due to the 600 points they receive from the provincial nomination. This additional score often puts them in a strong position to receive an ITA in subsequent draws.
Changes to Express Entry Draws: What’s Ahead?
Looking ahead, there are changes in store for the Express Entry system. One key change to expect is the removal of additional CRS points for job offers in spring 2025. Currently, candidates with arranged employment can earn extra CRS points, but these will soon be phased out.
Conclusion
The March 17, 2025, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw highlights Canada’s ongoing commitment to attracting skilled workers to address labor shortages. With an ever-evolving immigration system, candidates in the Express Entry pool should keep a close eye on upcoming draws and updates from IRCC.
Those with higher CRS scores or those who meet the criteria for priority categories like French-language proficiency and healthcare occupations will likely continue to be at the forefront of Canada’s immigration process.
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