Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 202 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in its most recent Express Entry draw. Held on July 21, the draw exclusively targeted candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To be considered, eligible candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 788 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 11:50 p.m. UTC on June 5, 2025. This makes it one of the highest CRS cutoffs of the year for PNP-specific draws, reflecting ongoing competitiveness among nominated candidates.
This draw marks the third round of invitations in July and follows a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on July 8 and another PNP draw on July 7, as part of IRCC’s evolving Express Entry strategy. As of mid-July, IRCC has issued a total of 45,403 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025.
This year, Express Entry draws have largely prioritized PNP candidates, with 13 of the 26 draws focusing on provincial nominees. Canadian Experience Class applicants have received the second-highest number of draws (7), followed by candidates with strong French-language proficiency and those from high-demand fields like healthcare, social services, and education.
The high CRS scores required in recent PNP draws suggest that provincial nominations remain a key route for highly skilled candidates seeking permanent residency in Canada. PNPs allow provinces to nominate candidates who align with regional economic and labor market needs, making them a vital part of Canada’s immigration strategy.
Express Entry draws now commonly alternate between PNP-specific and CEC-specific rounds on a biweekly basis, offering more predictability for candidates tracking their immigration prospects.
With a continued focus on category-based draws and regional immigration priorities, candidates are encouraged to maintain active and updated Express Entry profiles and consider provincial nomination programs aligned with their background and skills.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates and insights on Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.