Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the most recent Express Entry draw held on December 16, 2025. This draw was specifically targeted at candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), marking the second consecutive week of PNP-focused invitations.
To qualify for this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 731 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 7:18 a.m. (UTC) on October 18, 2025. As with all PNP draws, these candidates had previously been nominated by a Canadian province, which added 600 CRS points to their base scores.
The December 16 draw follows a highly active week for Express Entry. On December 10, IRCC conducted the year’s largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, issuing 6,000 invitations with a CRS cut-off of 520. Just days later, on December 11, the department invited 1,000 candidates in healthcare and social services occupations, another priority category under IRCC’s targeted immigration strategy.
December has seen a total of four Express Entry draws so far, highlighting IRCC’s continued commitment to facilitating immigration through a mix of general and category-specific invitations. In addition to PNP and CEC draws, IRCC has also issued invitations this year in categories focused on French-language proficiency, healthcare, education, and skilled trades.
As of mid-December 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 106,998 ITAs through the Express Entry system. This reflects the department’s renewed focus on addressing labor shortages across Canada, especially in professions selected under category-based draws introduced earlier this year.
A breakdown of draw types in 2025 shows the highest number of draws have been for PNP candidates (24 draws), followed by Canadian Experience Class (15 draws), French-language proficiency (9), healthcare and social services (7), education (2), and trades (1). This strategic allocation aligns with IRCC’s priorities to attract individuals who can contribute to Canada’s economy and demographic needs.
Despite the high CRS thresholds for PNP candidates, these draws provide a vital pathway for applicants already nominated by provinces and territories, reinforcing the collaborative role of regional governments in Canada’s overall immigration strategy.
Looking ahead, candidates interested in applying through Express Entry are encouraged to monitor upcoming draws and ensure their profiles remain updated, particularly if they are eligible for nomination under provincial streams or meet the criteria for one of IRCC’s occupational categories.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on Express Entry and other immigration developments as Canada adapts to new labor market demands and evolving immigration policies.