Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw on October 27, 2025, issuing 302 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 761—down 17 points from the previous PNP draw held on October 14, which saw 345 candidates invited.
This PNP-specific draw follows a series of targeted selection rounds that reflect Canada’s evolving immigration priorities. The most recent draw prior to this one occurred on October 15 and was aimed at healthcare and social service professionals. That round saw 2,500 candidates invited with a considerably lower CRS cutoff of 472—highlighting the high demand for healthcare workers in the Canadian labour market.
As of this latest round, Canada has conducted 44 draws under the Express Entry system in 2025, and 374 overall since its launch. So far this year, IRCC has issued a total of 73,518 ITAs. This pace indicates that 2025 may fall slightly short of 2024’s total of 98,903 ITAs, and well below the record 114,431 ITAs issued in 2021 at the height of pandemic-driven immigration needs.
Throughout 2025, IRCC has increasingly used category-based draws to address specific labour shortages across sectors, including education, healthcare, trades, and French-language proficiency. In total, 20 PNP draws have been conducted so far this year, along with 10 draws targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, and several focused on French-speaking applicants and select occupations.
The tie-breaking rule for this latest draw was applied to Express Entry profiles submitted before September 25, 2025, at 10:14 p.m. EST. This means that candidates with the minimum CRS score who submitted their profiles after that date did not receive an invitation in this round.
Candidates who receive an ITA now have 60 days to submit their permanent residence application. IRCC aims to process most submissions within its standard six-month processing window.
For those looking to improve their chances in future draws, securing a nomination through a provincial program or obtaining a valid job offer remains one of the most effective strategies. Canadian employers are also encouraged to explore LMIA-supported hiring or provincial nomination routes to fill persistent labour gaps with global talent.
With the Canadian government continuing to refine its immigration strategy, prospective immigrants and employers alike are advised to stay informed, seek professional guidance when needed, and ensure their documentation and eligibility remain up to date.