Canada conducts first December Express Entry draw, issues 1,123 invitations under PNP category
On December 8, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of the month, inviting 1,123 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category. This draw represents the largest PNP-specific Express Entry round held in 2025. Candidates selected in this invitation round required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 729 and were required to have created their Express Entry profile before 5:10 a.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on March 5, 2025.
Recent draw activity and context
This latest draw follows a series of frequent Express Entry rounds held over the past two weeks. IRCC previously conducted:
- a large French-language proficiency draw on November 28;
- a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on November 26;
- another PNP-specific draw on November 25.
As of December 8, IRCC has issued 95,599 ITAs in 2025, reflecting a sustained pace of draw activity across multiple Express Entry categories throughout the year.
Number of draws held in 2025 by category
While Express Entry invitations are issued through various streams, the Provincial Nominee Program has dominated the year’s draw schedule. The number of draws conducted in 2025 is as follows:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 23 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 13 |
| French-language proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare and social services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
ITAs issued by category in 2025
Although PNP draws occurred most frequently, the majority of ITAs issued this year were distributed through French-language proficiency draws and the Canadian Experience Class. To date, the ITA distribution is:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 24,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 10,499 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
Summary
This early-December PNP draw stands out not only due to its timing but also its scale—ranking among the largest PNP-focused Express Entry rounds of the year. As 2025 approaches its conclusion, IRCC’s draw strategy has become increasingly consistent: prioritize PNP candidates, applicants with in-Canada experience, French-speaking candidates, and individuals aligned with key occupational shortages.
Whether additional draws will occur before year-end remains uncertain, but with nearly 100,000 ITAs issued so far, Canada continues to leverage Express Entry to attract skilled workers, strengthen its labour market, and prepare for new immigration pathways set to launch in 2026.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 8 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,123 | 729 |
| Nov 28 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 408 |
| Nov 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 531 |
| Nov 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| Nov 14 | Healthcare and social services | 3,500 | 462 |
| Nov 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| Nov 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
| Oct 29 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 416 |
| Oct 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| Oct 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| Oct 15 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 472 |
| Oct 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| Oct 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 432 |
| Oct 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sept 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| Sept 18 | Trade | 1,250 | 505 |
| Sept 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| Sept 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| Sept 4 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| Sept 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sept 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| August 19 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 470 |
| August 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 8 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 481 |
| August 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| August 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| July 22 | Healthcare and social services | 4,000 | 475 |
| July 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| July 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| July 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| June 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 504 |
| June 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| 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 |
Canada conducts first December Express Entry draw, issues 1,123 invitations under PNP category
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of December on December 8, issuing 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)—one of the largest PNP draws of 2025. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 729 and had to have created an Express Entry profile before March 5 at 5:10 a.m. (UTC). To date, IRCC has issued 95,599 ITAs through Express Entry in 2025, with draws continuing to prioritize PNP candidates, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants, French-language proficiency candidates, and priority occupation categories.
12/09/2025
Manitoba Issues 184 Invitations in First December Draw, Prioritizing Candidates with Local Connections
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held its first draw of December on December 5, 2025, issuing 184 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) — the highest number since October. This draw continued Manitoba’s trend since June of selecting candidates primarily through strategic recruitment initiatives, spanning both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas pathways. Candidates linked to the Temporary Public Policy (TPP) category received the majority of invitations. The province reminds applicants that Manitoba Support Letters for TPP-related open work permit applications must be submitted by December 16, while the federal policy itself expires on December 31.
12/08/2025
Ontario Proposes Two-Phase Overhaul of Provincial Nominee Program for Permanent Residence
The Ontario government has unveiled a major two-phase plan to redesign the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and reshape how the province selects candidates for permanent residence. Phase one proposes consolidating the three existing Employer Job Offer streams into a single integrated framework with two pathways based on occupation level. Phase two would eliminate all remaining existing streams and replace them with three new ones: a Priority Healthcare Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream, and an Exceptional Talent Stream. The government is currently consulting stakeholders and has not yet clarified how in-progress applications will be handled once the reforms take effect.
12/05/2025
Canada to Introduce Multiple New Permanent Residence Pathways in 2026
Canada’s federal government is preparing to launch and reopen several permanent residence (PR) pathways in 2026, with a strong focus on transitioning more temporary residents already living in the country. The upcoming year will also see new or expanded PR routes for H-1B professionals, construction workers, agricultural and fish processing employees, and refugee-skilled candidates. Multiple pilots that reached their caps in 2025 are expected to reopen. As many details remain pending, 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year of structural updates to Canada’s immigration system.
12/04/2025
Nova Scotia Overhauls Provincial Nominee and AIP Selection System with New EOI Model
On November 28, 2025, Nova Scotia announced a major shift in its immigration intake system, confirming that all submissions under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) will now be processed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) model. Under the new rules, all submissions—regardless of submission date—are considered EOIs, and having a case ID or meeting eligibility criteria no longer guarantees file processing. The province will conduct periodic draws based on current labor market and economic priorities, with priority sectors such as healthcare, construction, trades, STEM, natural resources, and manufacturing. The shift aligns with broader trends driven by reduced provincial nomination allocations from IRCC. With increased immigration targets set for 2026, applicants may soon see improved chances of receiving selections.
12/03/2025
Ontario plans new skilled immigration pathways as Bill 30 expands provincial authority over OINP
Ontario is preparing to introduce new permanent residence pathways under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), targeting newcomers in fields such as research, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. Immigration Minister David Piccini announced on November 25 that the province intends to launch a new “talent stream” to recognize excellence in these sectors. With Bill 30 (the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025) receiving Royal Assent on November 27, the suspension of the Skilled Trades Stream, and expected increases in provincial nomination allocations for 2026, Ontario is restructuring its immigration program to support more targeted and flexible selection mechanisms.
12/02/2025
Overview of Canada’s Business Immigration Pathways: Federal and Provincial Options for Investors and Entrepreneurs
Canada offers multiple immigration pathways for individuals who wish to immigrate through entrepreneurship or business investment, including the federal Start-Up Visa (SUV), several federal work permit categories, provincial entrepreneur programs, and the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. Each pathway carries distinct requirements related to investment amounts, business experience, language proficiency, and documentation. With frequent policy changes and complex due-diligence procedures, many applicants work with immigration lawyers or licensed consultants to select the right program, prepare documentation, and maintain compliance to improve approval outcomes and protect their investment.
12/01/2025
IRCC issues 6,000 Express Entry invitations with second-lowest CRS cut-off of 2025
On November 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another round of Express Entry invitations, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the French-language proficiency category. This round’s minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was 408 — the second-lowest score recorded in 2025. It marks the eighth French-language draw of the year and the third-largest overall. With this round completed, French-speaking candidates have now received 42,000 ITAs in 2025, continuing to lead all categories. Year-to-date, IRCC has issued a total of 94,476 ITAs through the Express Entry system.
11/29/2025
Canada holds second monthly CEC draw, CRS score drops to lowest level since July
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted another Express Entry draw on November 26, 2025, inviting 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to apply for permanent residence. This round set a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 531—the lowest CEC cut-off since July—and ended a five-draw streak where the CRS threshold was locked at 533 or 534. To date, IRCC has issued a total of 88,476 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in 2025.
11/28/2025
Canada Announces 2026 Study Permit Target: Total Allocation Reduced to 408,000, Down 7% from 2025
On November 25, the Government of Canada officially released its 2026 study permit allocation and distribution plan for international students. According to newly published data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the total number of study permits to be issued in 2026 will be capped at 408,000. This continues the federal government’s trend of tightening temporary resident levels, representing a 7% decrease from the 2025 cap of 437,000 and a 16% decrease compared to 485,000 in 2024. The new plan outlines detailed allocation rules by student category, confirms exemptions from Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) for master’s and PhD students, and distributes PAL-required application volumes and anticipated approvals across provinces based on population share.
11/27/2025
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