On February 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its second Express Entry draw of the year targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
In this draw, 455 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 802. To be eligible, candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 7:39 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on December 7, 2024.
The elevated CRS score is attributed to the additional 600 points automatically awarded to candidates who have secured a provincial nomination, reflecting the competitive nature of the PNP stream.
This draw marks the fourth of the year, following two Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws and a previous PNP draw earlier in January. As of now, IRCC has issued a total of 6,276 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
The consistent focus on PNP candidates in recent draws aligns with IRCC’s strategy to bolster regional immigration and address specific labor market needs across Canada’s provinces and territories. Candidates who receive provincial nominations are recognized for their potential to contribute significantly to the local economies and communities.
Since July 2024, IRCC has emphasized candidates who qualify for PNP, CEC, and category-based selection draws. This approach aligns with IRCC’s annual Immigration Levels Plan, which allocates admissions for candidates in Canada and those possessing relevant professional and language skills to meet the country’s economic and demographic goals. In 2025, the priority categories through Canada’s Express Entry system include healthcare and trades.
About Express Entry System
Express Entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. It oversees three main federal economic programs:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers with eligible Canadian work experience.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with eligible foreign or Canadian work experience.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade.
Candidates interested in immigrating through Express Entry must first determine their eligibility under one of these programs. Eligible candidates can then create an online profile, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal details. Based on this information, candidates receive a CRS score, which ranks them within the Express Entry pool. Periodically, IRCC conducts draws from this pool, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residency.
The Express Entry system is designed to facilitate the selection and processing of skilled workers’ applications in an efficient and transparent manner, contributing to Canada’s economic growth and labor market needs.
