Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its latest Express Entry draw, marking the first under Canada’s newly appointed Minister of Immigration. On June 2, 2025, a total of 277 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To qualify, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 726 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 3:46 p.m. UTC on September 24, 2024.
This draw continues a trend in 2025 where the majority of ITAs have been issued to PNP candidates. So far this year, Canada’s Express Entry system has seen 10 separate PNP draws, far exceeding the number for other categories like Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French-language proficiency, and targeted draws under healthcare and education priorities.
As of June 2025, IRCC has distributed 34,717 ITAs across various Express Entry draws. The PNP remains the dominant pathway, demonstrating the government’s ongoing commitment to regional economic strategies and provincial labor needs.
Recent draws also highlight Canada’s category-based selection strategy, which targets candidates with specific skills and experiences to fill critical labor shortages. These include professionals in healthcare, education, and French-speaking applicants, aligning with the federal government’s wider economic immigration goals.
The CRS remains central to the Express Entry system. It evaluates candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Canada uses this points-based system to identify individuals most likely to succeed in its labor market and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Notably, the June 2 draw follows several recent rounds, including a healthcare and social services draw on June 4 that invited 500 candidates with a significantly lower CRS threshold of 504, and another PNP draw held on June 10 with only 125 invitations but a much higher cut-off score of 784.
Analysts at Maple News observe that the frequency and diversity of draws point to Canada’s evolving immigration priorities. While PNP draws continue to dominate, the inclusion of sector-focused and French language draws shows a balanced approach aimed at addressing both economic and demographic needs.
Maple News will continue tracking future Express Entry rounds, especially as Canada’s immigration plan aims to welcome over 460,000 newcomers annually over the next three years, many of whom will arrive via Express Entry-managed programs.