Express Entry Continues PNP Momentum as IRCC Issues Another Round of Invitations
Provincial nominees remain a priority in December draws
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Express Entry draw, marking the second consecutive week in which candidates nominated by provinces have been invited to apply for permanent residence.
In the most recent round, 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued exclusively to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream through Express Entry, reinforcing the federal government’s continued focus on provincial labour market needs.
Key Eligibility Requirements for the Latest Draw
To receive an invitation in this round, candidates were required to meet the following conditions:
- A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 399
- An active Express Entry profile created before 7:18 a.m. (UTC) on October 18, 2025
- A valid provincial nomination, which adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score
This relatively low CRS cut-off reflects the significant advantage held by PNP-nominated candidates in the Express Entry system.
December Draws Signal a Busy End to the Year
This PNP-specific draw marks the fourth Express Entry draw in December. It follows:
- A large Canadian Experience Class draw
- A healthcare and social services occupation-based draw
- The largest PNP draw of the year earlier in the month
Together, these draws highlight IRCC’s intensified invitation activity as the year comes to a close.
Express Entry Activity Snapshot for 2025
As of mid-December, 106,998 ITAs have been issued through Express Entry in 2025, demonstrating one of the most active years for Canada’s flagship immigration system.
Throughout the year, IRCC has relied heavily on program-specific and category-based draws, rather than general all-program rounds.
Breakdown of Express Entry Draws by Category in 2025
The distribution of draws conducted so far shows a strong emphasis on targeted immigration streams:
- Provincial Nominee Program: 22 draws
- Canadian Experience Class: 14 draws
- French-language proficiency: 8 draws
- Healthcare and social services: 6 draws
- Education: 2 draws
- Trade occupations: 1 draw
This strategy aligns immigration selection with Canada’s regional, linguistic, and workforce priorities.
Invitations Issued by Stream So Far This Year
The number of ITAs issued under each category further reflects IRCC’s priorities:
- French-language proficiency: 42,000
- Canadian Experience Class: 30,850
- Healthcare and social services: 13,500
- Provincial Nominee Program: 9,376
- Education: 3,500
- Trade occupations: 1,250
While PNP draws occur frequently, a significant share of total invitations continues to go to French-speaking candidates and those with Canadian work experience.
What This Means for Candidates
For Express Entry candidates, the latest draw reinforces several key trends:
- Provincial nominations remain one of the strongest pathways to permanent residence
- Targeted draws are likely to continue dominating the Express Entry system
- CRS scores alone are not the only determining factor; category eligibility and provincial alignment matter more than ever
As IRCC continues issuing focused invitations, candidates are encouraged to strengthen their profiles through provincial programs, Canadian work experience, or category eligibility.
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