Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its largest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry draw in over six months. On November 10, 2025, IRCC issued 714 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Express Entry pool who had received a provincial nomination.
To be eligible for this round, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 738 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 2:12 a.m. UTC on February 22, 2025. The high CRS threshold reflects the added 600 points that come with a provincial nomination.
This draw marks a significant uptick in PNP invitations, surpassing all other PNP draws since April 14, when 825 ITAs were extended. It’s also the first Express Entry draw held in November, following a busy end to October, which saw draws focused on French language proficiency, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, and PNP streams.
As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 81,223 ITAs through Express Entry in 2025. While the draw types have varied — targeting healthcare occupations, education, trades, and French-speaking candidates — PNP and CEC categories have received the bulk of invitations this year.
This latest draw comes shortly after the government unveiled Canada’s updated Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028. That plan outlines Canada’s intention to maintain high immigration targets while attempting to better align immigration with labour market needs through targeted Express Entry draws.
The recent trend in higher-frequency draws, especially for PNP candidates, signals Canada’s emphasis on regional immigration as a tool to spread economic benefits more evenly across provinces and territories. Each province nominates individuals who are best suited to contribute to their specific economic and demographic needs.
With more targeted draws expected in coming months, prospective immigrants are encouraged to ensure their Express Entry profiles are up to date and to explore potential provincial nomination options to maximize their chances of receiving an ITA.
According to Maple News, this draw reflects Canada’s commitment to strategic immigration planning, aiming to fill critical labour shortages and drive regional growth through the PNP.