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    IRCC Continues to Prefer Applicants of the Provincial Nominee Program

    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now made its latest Express Entry draw to give 291 invitations to apply (ITAs) to workers in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
    The September 29, 2025, draw needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 855. Candidates already needed to have their Express Entry pool account set up before 1:25 a.m. UTC on April 8, 2025.
    This marks the 18th PNP-specific draw of the year and the seventh Express Entry draw in September alone, underscoring the federal government’s ongoing reliance on the PNP stream to meet immigration targets.

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

    Invitations to apply to the Provincial Nominee Program may be issued through this round of invitations.

    September: Highest Month of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    During seven consecutive rounds of invitations, September has been among this year’s busiest months of invitations under Express Entry. Draws this September ranged from skill-targeted to French proficiency draws.
    September alone has yielded 10,018 invitations in streams as part of IRCC’s proactive efforts to fill employment gaps while providing provinces.

    Total Express Entry ITAs for 2025

    Following the latest draw, the total of ITAs issued under Express Entry for 2025 has come to 65,838.

    Collectively, the total depicts the continuous pattern towards Canada’s aggressive immigration targets and strategy to prioritize human capital and even labour market requirements for selected sectors.

    Focus on Trade Careers in 2025

    Trade occupations represent the heart of the Canadian workforce, especially in industry, construction, and industry-related services. IRCC is going to grant 3,300 ITAs to trade occupation aspirants in the second half of 2025, internal documents obtained recently indicate.
    That total, from 1,250 to date issued for the ongoing round, translates to roughly 2,050 more ITAs that can be anticipated by year’s end from trade-based aspirants.

    Category-Based Draws for 2025 up to Now

    Express Entry for 2025 has seen draws in several of its higher-priority streams. Draw breakdown is below:

    The draws are now divided as follows:

    The multi-category scheme can accommodate different priority sectors, such as regional manpower needs and greater representation of the French-speaking community.

    Healthcare-Specific Rounds in 2025

    The August 19 draw was the latest in a series of healthcare draws this year. Earlier rounds were:

    By announcing progressively larger rounds of draws for health care and social work, Canada is ensuring its commitment to meet the critical gaps in employees at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Below is a snapshot of all Express Entry draws conducted so far this year:
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    369 September 29 PNP 291 855
    368 September 18 Trade occupations 1,250 505
    367 September 17 Education occupations 2,500 462
    366 September 15 PNP 228 746
    365 September 04 French language proficiency 4,500 446
    364 September 03 CEC 1,000 534
    363 September 02 PNP 249 772
    362 August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
    361 August 18 PNP 192 800
    360 August 08 French language proficiency 2,500 481
    359 August 07 CEC 1,000 534
    358 August 06 PNP 225 739
    357 July 22 Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2) 4,000 475
    356 July 21 PNP 202 788
    355 July 08 CEC 3,000 518
    354 July 07 PNP 356 750
    353 June 26 CEC 3,000 521
    352 June 23 PNP 503 742
    351 June 12 CEC 3,000 529
    350 June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
    349 June 04 Healthcare and social services 500 504
    348 June 02 PNP 277 726
    347 May 13 CEC 500 547
    346 May 12 PNP 511 706
    345 May 02 Healthcare and social Services Occupations 500 510
    344 May 01 Education Professionals 1,000 479
    343 April 28 PNP 421 727
    342 April 14 PNP 825 764
    341 March 21 French language 7,500 379
    340 March 17 PNP 536 736
    339 March 06 French language 4,500 410
    338 March 03 PNP 725 667
    337 February 19 French language 6,500 428
    336 February 17 PNP 646 750
    335 February 05 CEC 4,000 521
    334 February 04 PNP 455 802
    333 January 23 CEC 4,000 527
    332 January 8 CEC 1,350 542
    331 January 7 PNP 471 793

    As of September 29, a total of 65,838 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2025.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Number of Express Entry Draws by Category This Year:

    The Provincial Nominee Program category of the Express Entry categories leads the trend with the highest number of 14 rounds, followed by the Canadian Experience Class with 8 rounds. Also, IRCC has conducted 3 rounds each for French-speaking candidates and healthcare professionals. A single draw was also held for individuals in the education sector.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 14
    Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 8
    French-language proficiency 4
    Healthcare and social services 3
    Education 1

    The trend since June 10, 2025, reveals a pattern of alternating draws between PNP and CEC categories roughly every two weeks. Additionally, healthcare-focused draws have taken place monthly since May, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to addressing sector-specific shortages in Canada’s healthcare system.

    Current Express Entry Trends and Category Breakdown

    With the latest draw, the healthcare and social services category now joins a growing list of specialized selection categories implemented this year. The distribution of draws in 2025 highlights a more nuanced approach to selecting candidates who meet Canada’s urgent labour and demographic needs.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program 7
    French-language proficiency 3
    Canadian Experience Class 3
    Education 1
    Healthcare and social services 1

    Why PNP Draws Matter

    The Provincial Nominee Program is a Canadian immigration policy pillar that allows provinces and territories to nominate those candidates who meet the Province/territory’s distinct economic and labor market needs. As PNP candidates have higher CRS cut-offs than general draws, they generally have provincial job offers or proficiency skills that enhance their scores. Via regular PNP lotteries, IRCC will make sure that smaller provinces, beyond large Canadian cities, get the skilled workers that they so desperately need.

    Key Points

    Conclusion

    Already having invited more than 65,000 in 2025 so far, Canada is set to hit or even surpass its 2025 immigration goal. Weighing national economic demands against provincial workforce demands is an indication of how far Ottawa attempts to juggle its priorities.
    Throughout the year, Express Entry candidates will also likely witness further draws from an array of streams, particularly aiming to target French speakers, healthcare professionals, and tradespersons, all of whom are highly significant to Canada’s economy.

    Stay tuned for future updates on Express Entry draws and immigration news.

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