Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first Express Entry draw of August, continuing its targeted approach by inviting candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Maple News reports that 225 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued in this round.
To receive an ITA in this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 and had to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 6:35 a.m. UTC on April 23, 2025.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 49,628 ITAs through the Express Entry system. This includes draws under multiple categories such as the Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French-language proficiency, and priority occupation categories like healthcare and education.
The latest draw follows a series of category-specific rounds in July, including 4,000 ITAs for healthcare professionals on July 22 (cut-off CRS: 475), 202 PNP invitations on July 21 (CRS: 788), and 3,000 CEC invitations on July 8 (CRS: 518).
This year, IRCC has clearly emphasized supporting regional immigration goals, with the bulk of Express Entry invitations—13 rounds in total—focused on Provincial Nominee Program candidates. As of now, there have also been 7 draws for CEC candidates, 3 for French-speaking candidates, 3 for healthcare professionals, and 1 for education workers.
Recent trends show IRCC holding Express Entry draws approximately every two weeks, with alternating focus between PNP and CEC categories. This ongoing pattern began in June and appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to balance regional labor needs with national immigration targets.
As Canada’s immigration landscape continues to evolve, Express Entry remains a vital channel for skilled workers aiming to build a future in Canada. Maple News will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely updates to newcomers and stakeholders.