Express Entry 338th Round: 725 Invitations Issued for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates, Minimum CRS Score 667
On March 3, IRCC issued 725 invitations to apply (ITAs) for immigration under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Candidates were required to achieve a minimum CRS score of 667 and successfully create an Express Entry profile by 18:25 UTC on June 5, 2024.
This draw marks the first Express Entry draw in March 2025. In the 2025 Express Entry draws, PNP and CEC candidates have dominated, while draws for other categories have been relatively limited. This shift suggests that IRCC is continuously adjusting its strategy to meet the varying demands for talent both domestically and internationally.
For candidates who received an ITA, the Canadian government has outlined a list of mandatory documents that must be submitted to ensure the completeness and authenticity of their application. The basic document requirements include:
- A copy of a valid passport
- Birth certificate
- A valid language test result
- Proof of work experience
- Police clearance certificate (for individuals who have resided in multiple locations for more than 6 months after turning 18)
- Proof of medical examination receipt (if a medical exam is required)
- Recent photographs that meet IRCC specifications (for the principal applicant and accompanying family members)
Additionally, depending on the Express Entry profile details and the specific application category, candidates may need to provide supplementary supporting documents, such as:
- Canadian educational credentials or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if the education was obtained outside Canada
- Letter of certification
- Post-secondary transcripts
- A formal job offer letter from a Canadian employer
- Proof of a family relationship in Canada
- Proof of settlement funds
- Legal documents related to name or date of birth changes
- Marriage, divorce, or widowed status certificates
- Adoption documents
- A certified copy of a trade qualification certificate issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority
- Copy of employment contracts or pay stubs
- Tax-related documents
It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive. Candidates must verify the specific requirements of their application category and ensure they submit all necessary documents. IRCC also advises candidates interested in permanent residency to refer to the official website for the latest guidelines and requirements to ensure compliance and avoid processing delays due to missing documents.
2025 Express Entry Invitation Summary
| Date | Invitation Category | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 3, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19, 2025 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8, 2025 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7, 2025 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Applying for Canadian Permanent Residence After Receiving an Express Entry ITA: Navigating the Crucial 60-Day Document Deadline
Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Canada's Express Entry system marks a significant milestone for immigration candidates. However, applicants face a strict 60-day deadline to submit a complete application for permanent residence (PR). This report provides a detailed breakdown of the core and supplementary documents required to respond to an ITA, explains the rationale behind each document requirement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and identifies applicable candidates, while emphasizing the critical importance of advance preparation and information accuracy to avoid application refusal or potential long-term bans due to incomplete submissions or misrepresentation.
04/05/2025
Alberta Immigration Fees Undergo Major Adjustment; Policy Updates Signal Shift Towards Precision Immigration
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) recently announced that effective April 1, 2025, application fees for several provincial worker immigration streams will significantly increase, with fees for some streams rising from the previous CAD 840 to CAD 1,500. Additionally, fees related to the Farm Stream and nomination certificates will also see notable adjustments. Concurrently, the provincial government is implementing a new round of optimizations concerning language testing, work permit policies, and family connection pathways. This move aims to address challenges posed by drastic cuts in federal immigration quotas and promote more precise immigration management.
04/05/2025
Canada Lacks Direct "Gold Card": A Comprehensive Guide to Investor and Entrepreneur Immigration Pathways
Recent news of the U.S. planning a high-threshold "Gold Card" visa has sparked interest in whether Canada offers a similar pathway for directly purchasing permanent residency. Canada does not have such a "Gold Card"; its economic immigration programs primarily focus on attracting skilled talent rather than pure investment. However, Canada does provide several immigration streams for entrepreneurs and investors intending to establish or operate businesses within the country, leading to permanent residence. These include the federal Start-Up Visa Program, the unique Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, and various Provincial Nominee Programs for entrepreneurs.
04/04/2025
Canadian Home Care Worker Pilot Program Fills Up on Opening Day Amid Fierce Competition
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially opened the application portal for its highly anticipated Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) on March 31, 2025. However, due to the large number of applicants, the online application quotas for the two sub-categories aimed at in-Canada applicants – the Child Care Pilot and the Home Support Pilot – rapidly reached their annual caps on the afternoon of the opening day. This reflects the program's immense popularity and the intense competition among applicants. Currently, the stream for overseas applicants has not yet opened.
04/02/2025
Manitoba PNP Prioritizes In-Province Graduates in Latest Draw; Northwest Territories Closes 2025 Nomination Intake
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its latest draw on March 21, prioritizing invitations for candidates with post-secondary education completed in Manitoba, along with some Skilled Workers Overseas. Concurrently, the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has announced the closure of its 2025 application intake, proceeding with a random selection of applications for processing and providing details on its quota allocation.
04/02/2025
Major Adjustments to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): Several Streams Closed, Overseas Recruitment Focuses on Three Key Industries
The province of Saskatchewan in Canada has implemented major reforms to its Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), effective March 27, 2025. The adjustments include reopening the acceptance of Job Approval Forms (JAFs) for employers, but with the recruitment of overseas skilled workers now restricted to three key areas: healthcare, agriculture, and technical trades. Simultaneously, the province has closed the immigration streams for entrepreneurs and farm owners/operators, tightened the eligibility requirements for certain open work permit holders and international students, and set annual nomination quota limits for the accommodation and food services, retail, and truck transportation sectors.
04/02/2025
Yukon Adjusts Nomination System: A New Expression of Interest Application System Boosts Upgraded Immigration Selection
Canada's Yukon Territory has announced a significant overhaul of its Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), transitioning to a new Expression of Interest (EOI) pool-based system effective March 31, 2025, replacing the previous direct application model. This change aims to manage a substantially reduced federal nomination allocation and better target candidates aligning with the territory's priorities. Under the new system, employers must first submit an EOI and receive an invitation before applying for nomination for a foreign worker. Yukon has also outlined priority candidate groups for 2025 and launched a temporary measure offering work permit support to certain foreign nationals already in the territory.
03/31/2025
Several Top Canadian Universities Enter Global Top 100 in Subject Rankings; Key Study Permit Application Process Explained
The international higher education research institution Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) recently released the 15th edition of its World University Rankings by Subject. The report indicates that several Canadian universities are ranked among the global top 100 in multiple subject areas, reaffirming the outstanding strength of Canadian higher education. Notably, the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia (UBC), and McGill University are among the top performers across several broad subject categories. For international students intending to pursue further studies in Canada, understanding the areas of strength at these leading institutions, as well as the latest study permit application process, is essential.
03/31/2025
Major Adjustment to Canada's Express Entry: Extra CRS Points for LMIA Officially Cancelled
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially implemented the latest Ministerial Instructions on March 25, 2025, eliminating the additional 50 to 200 CRS points previously awarded to Express Entry candidates for valid arranged employment. This measure aims to curb illegal activities such as purchasing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), enhance the integrity of the immigration system, and is explicitly stated as a temporary measure.
03/26/2025
Canadian Federal Government Significantly Increases Quota for Parents and Grandparents Program
The Canadian federal government recently announced a significant increase in the processing cap for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025, raising it to 25,000 applications. This decision reverses the tightening policy announced earlier this year and signifies a new opportunity for sponsors who submitted an interest form in 2020 but have not yet received an invitation to apply. The move aims to better address the family reunification needs of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
03/26/2025
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