IRCC Conducts New Express Entry Draw Targeting Provincial Nominee Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 202 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency in its latest Express Entry draw focused on The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), held on July 21, 2025. This draw stands out for its high minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 788, signaling increased competition among candidates seeking to immigrate to Canada 🇨🇦 through provincial nomination.

The Express Entry system remains the main pathway for skilled workers to gain permanent residence in Canada 🇨🇦. Within this system, the Provincial Nominee Program plays a key role, allowing provinces and territories to select candidates who meet their local labor market needs. The most recent draw highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing those who hope to settle in Canada 🇨🇦 through this route.

What Happened in the July 21, 2025 Draw?

On July 21, 2025, IRCC invited 202 candidates to apply for permanent residence under a PNP-specific Express Entry draw. The minimum CRS score required was 788, which is 38 points higher than the previous PNP draw held on July 7, 2025, where the cutoff was 750. This jump in the cutoff score shows that competition among PNP candidates is getting tougher.

The draw used a tie-breaking rule: if multiple candidates had the same CRS score, those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before June 5, 2025, at 23:50:45 UTC were prioritized. This rule can make a big difference for candidates whose scores are right at the cutoff.

Why Is the Provincial Nominee Program So Important?

The Provincial Nominee Program is a special immigration pathway that lets provinces and territories in Canada 🇨🇦 nominate people who want to live and work in their region. If you get a provincial nomination, you receive an extra 600 points added to your CRS score. This boost almost always guarantees you will get an Invitation to Apply in a PNP-specific draw.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the PNP has become one of the most reliable ways for skilled workers to secure permanent residence, especially as general Express Entry draws become more competitive.

How Does the Express Entry System Work with PNP?

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for candidates using the Provincial Nominee Program within Express Entry:

1. Obtain a provincial nomination: Apply to a province or territory’s PNP stream. Each province has its own rules and criteria.
2. Create or update your Express Entry profile: Make sure to include your provincial nomination certificate.
3. Enter the Express Entry pool: Your profile now gets an extra 600 CRS points from the nomination.
4. Wait for an Invitation to Apply: IRCC holds PNP-specific or general draws. With the extra points, your chances are much higher.
5. Submit your application for permanent residence: You have 60 days from the date you receive your ITA to send in your complete application.
6. Wait for processing: IRCC aims to process most applications within six months.
7. Receive confirmation of permanent residence: If approved, you and your family can move to Canada 🇨🇦 as permanent residents.

For more details on the Express Entry process and to see the latest draw results, you can visit the official IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations page.

Recent Trends: Why Are CRS Scores So High?

The July 21, 2025, PNP draw’s cutoff of 788 is one of the highest seen this year. In 2025, IRCC has held 13 PNP draws, with CRS cutoffs ranging from the low 700s to above 780. The number of ITAs issued in each draw also varies, from as few as 125 to as many as 825. These numbers depend on IRCC’s immigration targets and the size of the candidate pool.

In 2024, there were 14 PNP draws, and IRCC issued a total of 98,903 ITAs across all Express Entry categories. This shows a steady increase in invitations compared to previous years, as Canada 🇨🇦 continues to welcome more skilled workers to support its economy and address labor shortages.

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 45,403 ITAs through Express Entry. For comparison, there were 110,266 ITAs in 2023 and a record 114,431 in 2021. These numbers show that while Canada 🇨🇦 remains committed to bringing in skilled immigrants, the process is becoming more competitive, especially for those applying through the Provincial Nominee Program.

Other Recent Express Entry Draws

Besides PNP-specific draws, IRCC also holds draws for other groups, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French language speakers, healthcare workers, and those in education or other key occupations. For example:

• On July 22, 2025, IRCC held a large healthcare and social services draw, issuing 4,000 ITAs with a CRS cutoff of 475.
• On July 8, 2025, a Canadian Experience Class draw issued 3,000 ITAs with a cutoff of 518.

These draws show that IRCC is using Express Entry to target a wide range of skilled workers, not just those with provincial nominations.

What Does This Mean for Candidates?

For candidates hoping to immigrate to Canada 🇨🇦 through the Provincial Nominee Program, the high CRS cutoff means only the strongest profiles are getting ITAs. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Provincial nomination is a major advantage: The 600-point boost can make the difference between getting an ITA and waiting in the pool.
• Competition is fierce: With cutoffs near 800, even PNP candidates need strong profiles, including work experience, education, and language skills.
• Timely submission matters: The tie-breaking rule means that submitting your Express Entry profile early can help if you’re at the cutoff score.
• Act quickly after receiving an ITA: You have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence. Missing this deadline means losing your chance and having to wait for another draw.

How Do Provincial Nominations Work?

Each province and territory in Canada 🇨🇦 runs its own PNP streams. Some focus on specific occupations, while others look for candidates with job offers, work experience, or family connections in the province. Here’s how the process usually works:

• Research provincial streams: Visit the official immigration website for each province to see their criteria.
• Apply to the province: If you meet the requirements, submit an application to the province’s PNP stream.
• Receive a nomination certificate: If approved, the province will give you a nomination certificate.
• Update your Express Entry profile: Add the nomination to your profile to get the 600-point boost.

It’s important to check each province’s website for the latest information, as criteria and streams can change often.

Why Are Provincial Nominations So Valuable?

Immigration experts say that the Provincial Nominee Program is one of the most strategic ways to get permanent residence in Canada 🇨🇦. As CRS cutoffs in general Express Entry draws rise, having a provincial nomination can make all the difference.

Provinces use their nomination programs to fill gaps in their local labor markets. For example, a province with a shortage of healthcare workers might prioritize nurses and doctors. Others might focus on tech workers, tradespeople, or people with strong French language skills.

By targeting candidates who meet their needs, provinces help ensure that newcomers can find jobs and settle successfully.

What Are the Main Challenges for PNP Candidates?

While the Provincial Nominee Program offers a strong pathway to permanent residence, it also comes with challenges:

• High CRS cutoffs: Even with a nomination, candidates need to have strong profiles to compete in PNP draws.
• Changing criteria: Provinces can change their nomination streams and requirements at any time, making it important to stay informed.
• Limited ITA quotas: The number of invitations in each draw depends on IRCC’s targets and the size of the candidate pool.
• Processing times: While IRCC aims to process applications within six months, delays can happen, especially if documents are missing or incomplete.

What Should Candidates Do Next?

If you’re interested in immigrating to Canada 🇨🇦 through the Provincial Nominee Program, here are some practical steps:

• Research provincial streams: Start by visiting the official immigration websites for the provinces you’re interested in.
• Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet the criteria for the streams you want to apply to.
• Prepare your documents: Gather proof of work experience, education, language test results, and other required documents.
• Submit your application early: The tie-breaking rule means that earlier profiles can have an advantage in close-score situations.
• Monitor IRCC and provincial announcements: Criteria and draw schedules can change, so stay up to date.

What’s Next for the Provincial Nominee Program and Express Entry?

Looking ahead, IRCC is expected to continue holding frequent PNP-specific draws throughout 2025. The high CRS cutoffs may stay the same or even increase, as more candidates enter the pool and provinces set ambitious immigration targets.

At the same time, IRCC may hold more draws targeting specific occupations or language groups, such as healthcare workers or French speakers. This approach helps Canada 🇨🇦 address its changing labor market needs and demographic goals.

Candidates should keep a close eye on both IRCC and provincial announcements to make sure they don’t miss new opportunities.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, candidates should use official government resources:

• IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations: This official page lists all recent draws, cutoff scores, and instructions.
• Provincial Nominee Program details: Each province’s immigration website explains their nomination streams and how to apply.
• Contact IRCC: For questions, candidates can reach out through the IRCC website or call centers. Contact details are available on Canada.ca.

Conclusion: What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Canada 🇨🇦?

The Provincial Nominee Program remains a vital part of Canada’s 🇨🇦 immigration system. It gives provinces and territories a say in who comes to live and work in their communities, helping to fill labor shortages and support local economies.

For immigrants, the PNP offers a powerful way to boost their chances of getting permanent residence, especially as competition in the Express Entry pool grows. However, the process is demanding, and only the strongest candidates are likely to succeed in high-cutoff draws like the one on July 21, 2025.

By staying informed, preparing strong applications, and acting quickly when opportunities arise, candidates can improve their chances of success. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Provincial Nominee Program will continue to play a central role in Canada’s 🇨🇦 efforts to attract skilled workers and build strong, diverse communities.

For anyone considering this pathway, now is the time to research, prepare, and take action. The opportunities are real, but so is the competition. With careful planning and attention to detail, the dream of living and working in Canada 🇨🇦 remains within reach for many skilled immigrants around the world.

Learn Today

IRCC → Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the government agency managing Canadian immigration processes.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) → A points-based system evaluating candidates’ eligibility for Express Entry to Canada.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official invitation for candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) → A program where Canadian provinces nominate candidates to meet their local labor needs.
Express Entry → Canada’s main immigration system for skilled workers, using a points-based ranking for invitations.

This Article in a Nutshell

On July 21, 2025, IRCC held a Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw with a record CRS cutoff of 788, highlighting growing competition for Canadian permanent residency.
— By VisaVerge.com