IRCC Kicks Off July with New Express Entry Draw for PNP Candidates
356 Express Entry Invitations Issued in First July Draw for PNP Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched its first Express Entry draw of July 2025, targeting candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 356 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued on July 7, maintaining the federal government’s recent trend of alternating draw types.
To qualify for this invitation round, candidates were required to:
- Hold a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 750;
- Have submitted their Express Entry profile before 4:09 a.m. UTC on March 19, 2025.
This draw continues to highlight IRCC’s strategic focus on provincially nominated applicants in 2025, further confirming Canada’s efforts to align immigration with regional labour market needs.
Express Entry Snapshot: Draw Activity in 2025
Canada’s Express Entry system has seen 42,201 ITAs issued so far in 2025, with the largest share going to PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Here’s a summary of the draws held this year:
| Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 7 | PNP | 356 | 750 |
| June 26 | CEC | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 23 | PNP | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | CEC | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | PNP | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare | 500 | 504 |
| June 2 | PNP | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | CEC | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | PNP | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
Additional draws throughout the year included French-language proficiency categories and higher-volume CEC invitations in January and February.
Draw Breakdown: Focus on PNP and CEC Candidates in Recent Months
Since mid-May, IRCC has followed a predictable pattern of alternating PNP and CEC draws. The consistency in draw types and intervals suggests a targeted approach to managing Express Entry intake based on current labour force priorities and available provincial nomination allocations.
This trend is evident in recent draw statistics:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws (2025) |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 12 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 |
| French-language proficiency | 3 |
| Healthcare and social services | 2 |
| Education | 1 |
The latest draw indicates that IRCC is likely to maintain this balanced distribution of invitations in the coming months, offering opportunities to a mix of skilled immigrants with provincial backing, Canadian work experience, or high-demand sector qualifications.
Express Entry Pool Trends: First Dip in 600+ Score Profiles
Recent data also reveals a decline in candidate profiles within the 600+ CRS and 501–600 CRS score ranges—marking the first drop in six months. This shift is likely a result of the consistent draw pattern favouring mid-range PNP and CEC profiles and signals a strategic adjustment in program intake management.
What This Means for Aspiring Immigrants
If you’re preparing to immigrate to Canada, now is the time to:
- Align your profile with a PNP stream for faster selection;
- Consider gaining Canadian work experience to qualify under CEC;
- Monitor category-based draws (e.g., education, healthcare, French proficiency) for specialized opportunities.
Candidates are encouraged to:
- Create or update their Express Entry profile;
- Seek nomination through a provincial immigration stream;
- Consult a licensed immigration advisor for tailored guidance.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
