Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched the first Express Entry draw following a recent policy update that removes bonus points for arranged employment. In a draw targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, 825 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency were issued.
To receive an invitation in this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 764 and to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 6:35 p.m. UTC on August 17, 2024.
This latest PNP-specific draw reinforces the Canadian government’s ongoing commitment to its immigration targets under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. In total, IRCC aims to welcome 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2025. So far this year, 31,508 ITAs have been issued across multiple categories, including healthcare, education, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and French language proficiency.
The current invitation round marks a notable return to higher CRS thresholds, especially following the removal of arranged employment points from the Express Entry system in March 2025. This change has affected candidate rankings and contributed to the higher cut-off scores seen in recent draws.
A summary of 2025 draws shows that PNP-focused invitations continue to hold a significant share of Express Entry activity. For example, earlier this month, on June 10, a smaller PNP draw issued 125 ITAs with a cut-off score of 784. Other draws this year have emphasized targeted categories such as healthcare professionals and French-speaking applicants, underscoring Canada’s focus on addressing critical labor shortages nationwide.
It is important to note that receiving an ITA is only the first step in the immigration process. Once invited, candidates must submit a complete application for permanent residence within 60 days. Failure to respond or submit an application on time will result in the ITA being voided. Additionally, not all ITAs will lead to confirmed landings, as applications may be refused or withdrawn.
Express Entry remains Canada’s flagship economic immigration pathway, and recent changes in CRS scoring highlight the importance of adapting one’s profile strategy. Candidates looking to increase their competitiveness may consider obtaining a provincial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points, or improving language scores.
Maple News will continue to monitor future Express Entry trends, including how recent policy shifts influence candidate selection and the overall composition of newcomers to Canada.