Following the removal of points for 'Arranged Employment' within the Express Entry system by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the draw conducted on April 14, 2025, marks the first selection round under the revised policy. This draw focused specifically on candidates nominated through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing 825 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 764 points. To be eligible for consideration in this round, candidates must have created their Express Entry profile before 6:35 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on August 17, 2024.
This invitation round not only reflects the selection priorities post-policy adjustment but also confirms the continued strategic importance of provincial nomination as a primary means to increase CRS scores and secure an invitation within the increasingly competitive Express Entry pool.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Reviewing the Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2025, IRCC has held multiple rounds targeting various categories. Besides the most recent PNP draw, notable recent draws include a large-scale invitation round for French-speaking candidates on March 21 (7,500 ITAs, minimum score 379) and another PNP-specific draw on March 17 (536 ITAs, minimum score 736). Year-to-date, IRCC has issued a total of 31,508 ITAs through the Express Entry system.
According to Canada's 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government intends to welcome 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry streams in 2025.
It is crucial to understand that the targets in the Immigration Levels Plan refer to the number of individuals who complete the 'landing' process and become permanent residents, not the number of ITAs issued. An ITA does not automatically equate to a successful landing.
'Landing' is the formal process where an approved applicant arrives in Canada under their new status and officially becomes a permanent resident. An ITA, however, is simply an invitation from IRCC for a candidate to submit a complete application for permanent residence. Various factors, such as ineligibility discovered later, personal choice to withdraw, or application refusal, mean that the number of ITAs issued typically exceeds the number of actual landings.
Responding to an ITA
Candidates who successfully receive an ITA have 60 days from the date of issuance to submit a complete application for permanent residence. Required documentation typically includes, but is not limited to:
- Copies of a valid passport or travel document;
- Copies of your birth certificate;
- Documentation attesting to work experience;
- Police clearance certificates;
- Results from an immigration medical exam;
- Proof of settlement funds; and
- Photographs of the principal applicant and family members included in the application.
If a candidate neither submits their PR application nor formally declines the invitation within the stipulated 60-day period, the ITA will expire.
Conclusion: Provincial Nomination Remains a Key Pathway
In the face of CRS scoring adjustments and ambitious immigration targets, the Provincial Nominee Program continues to be a vital pathway within the Express Entry system for 2025. Receiving a provincial nomination grants candidates an additional 600 CRS points, significantly enhancing their ranking and chances of receiving an ITA. With the removal of points for 'Arranged Employment', strategically selecting the appropriate PNP stream and meticulously planning the immigration journey has become even more critical for applicants aiming for success.
