Canada Invites 228 for Express Entry PNP: CRS 746, 600-Point Boost

First, identified linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations (uscis_resource) — detected in the body near the end (“IRCC publishes official draw results… Express Entry rounds of invitations page.”)
2. Express Entry (policy) — term appears multiple times
3. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) (policy) — appears multiple times

Now I will add only verified .gov links, linking each resource only at its first mention in the article body, up to the maximum of 5 links. I will not change any other content or existing links.

(CANADA) Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada invited 228 candidates to apply for permanent residency in a Provincial Nominee Program–only Express Entry draw on September 15, 2025. The draw, numbered 366, set the minimum CRS score at 746, marking a 26-point drop from the previous PNP-specific round on September 2, which had a cut-off of 772.

Under the tie-breaker rule, candidates with the same score were ranked by the date and time they submitted their profiles, with priority going to those filed before March 31, 2025. All selected candidates held a provincial or territorial nomination, which adds 600 points to an applicant’s CRS.

IRCC’s draw result signals that Canada 🇨🇦 continues to lean on the Provincial Nominee Program to meet regional labor needs. A lower threshold means more nominees in the Express Entry pool cleared the bar this round, including some who narrowly missed out earlier this month. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the sharper-than-usual decline in the PNP cut-off suggests provinces are ramping up nominations to support hiring in sectors facing shortages.

Policy context

The Express Entry system ranks eligible skilled workers using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). A provincial nomination gives an applicant a major lift—those 600 additional points often move a candidate from the middle of the pool to the top.

That’s why PNP-only rounds typically carry higher CRS cut-offs than general or occupation-based rounds: scores are inflated by the nomination bonus. Still, the drop from 772 to 746 in September’s two PNP draws shows movement in favor of nominees who were just under the earlier line.

IRCC also uses a tie-breaker rule that can decide who gets an invitation when many people share the same CRS score. In Draw 366, the cut-off was 746, and profiles submitted before March 31, 2025 took priority at that score.

Key takeaway: submit your Express Entry profile early and keep it up to date. If a provincial nomination arrives later, that existing timestamp can help at the margins.

Officials have framed PNP-focused rounds as a way to match skills to local demand. Provinces and territories pick people who fit their economic plans—such as healthcare, construction, tech, or agri-food—then issue nominations. The federal draw translates that local selection into a national invitation to apply for permanent residency.

Recent policy changes have also shifted how points flow in the system. IRCC removed certain CRS points tied to some job offer categories effective March 25, 2025. While job offers still matter for many candidates, the provincial nomination remains the single clearest pathway to push a profile into an invitation range during PNP-only rounds. The latest draw reinforces that dynamic.

Impact on applicants

For people with a provincial nomination already in hand, this draw provides immediate relief: 746 was more forgiving than earlier in the month, bringing more nominees within range.

Those still waiting on a nomination should consider expanding options across provincial streams that match their:
– work experience
– education
– language ability

Some PNP streams target specific occupations; others focus on graduates, French speakers, or candidates with prior ties to a province through study or work.

Practical steps for candidates

1. Keep your Express Entry profile active and accurate, as the tie-breaker uses the submission timestamp.
2. Watch for provincial calls for interest or direct invitations, and respond quickly to deadlines.
3. Improve your CRS where possible — for example, better language scores or credential updates — while pursuing a nomination.

The latest numbers also carry broader signals. A PNP-only cut-off of 746 means many invitees likely had base CRS scores near the mid-100s before the 600-point boost from their nomination. By comparison, category-based or general draws often show much lower cut-offs but include far larger invite counts and a wider mix of candidates. The PNP route remains attractive for those whose base CRS may not be competitive in other rounds but whose skills align with a province’s needs.

Strategic implications

IRCC’s draw strategy balances national and regional priorities, and the September 15 result is consistent with that approach. PNP nominations channel talent to communities that can support settlement and long-term work.

Benefits:
– Employers gain newcomers with targeted skills for current job postings.
– Families gain stability through permanent status tied to real opportunities outside Canada’s biggest cities.
– Provinces fill shortages in priority sectors.

For applicants from countries that send large numbers of skilled workers—such as India—PNP pathways continue to offer a reliable route, particularly when general draws slow or when occupational categories tilt away from an applicant’s experience.

The 26-point drop in the PNP cut-off may not repeat every round, but it shows movement that can open the door for candidates sitting just below the previous threshold.

Where to verify official results

IRCC publishes official draw results, including the number of invitations, minimum CRS scores, and tie-breaker dates, on its Express Entry rounds of invitations page. Readers can review the latest data directly on the government website here: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations.

That page is the best single source for confirming whether a draw was general, category-based, or PNP-only, and for checking exact cut-offs by date.

Final notes and outlook

While this round focused on the Provincial Nominee Program, recent weeks featured other streams with different cut-offs and sizes. For example, the source material notes a trade-focused draw on September 18, 2025 that invited many more people with a much lower CRS threshold. These differences reflect how IRCC uses multiple levers—draw sizing, targeting, and timing—to reach annual targets and meet changing economic needs.

Applicants should evaluate where they fit across these pathways:
– If close to general or category cut-offs, aim for continued improvements (e.g., higher language test scores).
– If further from those cut-offs, pursue a provincial strategy: research PNP streams, follow provincial portals, and be ready to submit when windows open.

In all cases, early and accurate filing remains key because of the tie-breaker rule highlighted in Draw 366.

The September 15 result brought a clearer path for hundreds of nominees now heading into the application stage. For many families, that invitation to apply marks a turning point: the chance to settle, work, and put down roots with permanent status. With provinces signaling ongoing demand, and with IRCC adjusting thresholds to keep pace, the PNP within Express Entry will likely remain a central driver of invitations through the rest of the year.