Canada continues its robust immigration efforts with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. According to Maple News, this marks the largest PNP-specific Express Entry draw of 2025 so far.
To qualify for this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 729 and must have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 5:10 a.m. UTC on March 5, 2025. The high CRS threshold reflects the competitive nature of PNP draws, which often target skilled workers nominated by Canadian provinces.
This December 8 draw follows a period of high activity within Express Entry. Recent draws have included one for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates on December 10, which issued 6,000 ITAs with a lower CRS threshold of 520, and a specialized category-based draw for Healthcare and Social Services professionals offering 1,000 ITAs at a CRS cut-off of 476.
Overall in 2025, IRCC has issued 95,599 ITAs through a variety of draw types under the Express Entry system. While PNP-focused draws have dominated—24 conducted so far—they are complemented by other pathways such as the CEC (15 draws), French-language proficiency (9 draws), Healthcare and Social Services (7), Education (2), and Trade occupations (1).
This multi-stream approach aligns with Canada’s evolving immigration strategy aimed at attracting a diverse and highly-skilled talent pool through category-based draws launched in recent years. By prioritizing specific occupations and language skills, IRCC hopes to close labor market gaps across the country.
Maple News observes that candidates nominated through a PNP typically receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA—especially significant in competitive draws like this one. However, the required baseline CRS scores remain high, reflecting the strong demand for immigration to Canada and the limited allocation of nominations.
With more ITAs expected in the coming weeks, candidates aiming to apply through Express Entry are encouraged to optimize their profiles by increasing language scores, gaining work experience, or securing a provincial nomination to stay competitive.