On March 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its third Express Entry draw of the month, issuing 536 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To be eligible for this draw, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 736 and must have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 2:02 pm (UTC) on March 12, 2025
This draw follows a French-language proficiency draw on March 6, which issued 4,500 ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 410, and a PNP draw on March 3 that invited 725 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 667.
2025 Express Entry draws
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| 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 Express Entry system manages applications for three economic immigration programs:
- – Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- – Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- – Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Candidates in these programs are ranked based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Those with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
In February 2025, IRCC announced its priority categories for the year, adding education as a new category. The 2025 priority categories are:
- – French-language proficiency
- – Healthcare and social services occupations
- – Trade occupations
- – Education occupations
This strategic focus aims to address specific labor market needs and support Canada’s economic growth.
IRCC’s continued focus on PNP candidates underscores the importance of provincial nominations in Canada’s immigration strategy, aiming to meet regional labor market demands and promote economic development across the country.
