Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new round of invitations through its Express Entry system, continuing its focus on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In the latest draw, held on April 28, 2025, 421 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence.
To qualify for this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727. Additionally, their Express Entry profiles had to be submitted before 5:11 p.m. UTC on September 9, 2024. This marks the second PNP-targeted Express Entry draw held in April, reflecting IRCC’s sustained emphasis on provincial program candidates.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 31,929 ITAs across various Express Entry draws. Over the past month, PNP candidates have dominated the issuance of invitations, with no category-based or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws taking place during April.
While the IRCC has pledged to support candidates in the CEC and those aligned with Canada’s key economic priorities—such as healthcare, STEM, French language proficiency, and skilled trades—the year has so far seen limited activity in these targeted categories. The last CEC-specific draw occurred on February 5, 2025, and non-PNP category-based draws have been sporadic, with French-speaking candidates being the only group prioritized this year.
The Express Entry draw data for 2025 reveals a wide range of scores and focuses. For example, healthcare and social service draws have had CRS cut-offs as low as 504, while PNP-specific draws continue to have high thresholds, such as the 784-point cut-off on June 10. This indicates sustained competition among experienced, high-scoring candidates.
IRCC continues to refine its approach to immigration selections via Express Entry, introducing category-based criteria to better align immigration with Canada’s regional and sector-specific labor needs. The emphasis on the PNP allows provinces more influence in selecting candidates who meet local economic and demographic priorities.
According to Maple News, as Canada’s immigration strategy evolves, prospective applicants should closely monitor changes in Express Entry patterns and remain prepared for varying CRS thresholds depending on category and demand trends.
As of now, candidates aiming to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry should ensure their profiles are comprehensive and up to date, particularly if seeking nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program, which remains a key pathway in 2025.