Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on July 7, 2025, issuing 356 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this round was 750 — an 8-point increase from the previous PNP draw held on June 12, which issued 503 ITAs.
This draw was the 24th round of invitations under the Express Entry system in 2025 and the 354th overall. A tie-breaking rule was applied for this round, meaning that if multiple candidates had the minimum CRS score of 750, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before March 19, 2025, at 12:09 a.m. Eastern Time received invitations.
The previous Express Entry draw, held on June 26, 2025, was a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) round. It invited 3,000 candidates with a significantly lower minimum CRS score of 521, highlighting ongoing efforts to support candidates with Canadian work experience.
So far in 2025, Canada has conducted 24 Express Entry draws, broken down as follows: 12 PNP-specific draws, 6 Canadian Experience Class draws, 3 draws targeting French-speaking candidates, 2 draws focused on healthcare and social services occupations, and 1 draw aimed at education professionals.
In comparison, throughout 2024, IRCC ran draws covering a broad range of categories, including nine all-program rounds, 14 PNP draws, 10 CEC invitations, and other targeted rounds for French speakers, transport, agriculture, trades, healthcare, and STEM occupations. Canada issued a total of 98,903 ITAs in 2024, marking a slight decline from the 110,266 issued in 2023. The record still stands at 114,431 ITAs in 2021, when all invitations went to CEC and PNP candidates during pandemic-era processing shifts.
Candidates who have received an ITA in this latest draw now have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC. The applications are expected to be processed within the standard six-month timeframe.
Employers across Canada are encouraged to consider securing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) or engaging with provincial nominee programs to attract and retain skilled international talent. These options serve as strategic tools for long-term workforce planning.
For candidates looking to increase their chances, obtaining a valid job offer or provincial nomination remains one of the most reliable routes to securing an ITA in upcoming draws, especially when CRS scores are trending higher.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on Express Entry and other immigration programs as Canada advances its mid-year immigration goals.