(CANADA) Canada issued 225 Invitations to Apply on August 6, 2025, selecting only Provincial Nominee Program candidates through Express Entry. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was 739, with a tie-breaker for profiles submitted before 06:35:51 UTC on April 23, 2025.
Officials say this first August draw, listed as Draw #358, follows smaller, targeted rounds in 2025. It highlights IRCC’s focus on provincial needs and category-based selection, while maintaining pressure on in-Canada applicants through Canadian Experience Class rounds.
Highlights of the August draw
- Date: August 6, 2025
- Draw number: 358
- Stream: Provincial Nominee Program only
- ITAs issued: 225
- CRS cut-off: 739
- Tie-breaker: April 23, 2025, 06:35:51 UTC
- Context: This round continues IRCC’s trend toward modest PNP sizes and high cut-offs due to the 600-point boost given to nominees.
Comparison with the July draw
- July 21, 2025: 202 ITAs, CRS 788
- August 6, 2025: 225 ITAs, CRS 739
The 49-point drop matters for candidates who have been just below earlier thresholds. While the change improves access for some nominees, the bar remains high because PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, pushing cut-offs well above most non-nominated candidates.
What IRCC has issued so far in 2025
- Total ITAs in 2025: 49,628 across streams
- Pattern: Alternating PNP and Canadian Experience Class, with regular category-based draws focused on:
- healthcare and social services
- education
- French-language skills
- Takeaway: IRCC is balancing provincial picks with in-Canada experience and key sectors where employers report shortages.
Why this matters
Express Entry is Canada’s main system for skilled workers seeking permanent residence under:
– the Federal Skilled Worker Program,
– the Canadian Experience Class, and
– the Provincial Nominee Program.
The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks candidates on age, education, language, and work history. The highest scores receive Invitations to Apply. The system rewards those with strong language scores and Canadian work or study history. Because PNP nominees receive a 600-point bonus, PNP-only rounds typically have very high cut-offs.
PNP nomination remains the strongest path to an ITA because of the 600-point bonus.
How this draw fits into 2025 trends
Officials continue to balance:
– Provincial economic needs through the PNP
– In-Canada experience with Canadian Experience Class rounds
– Category-based picks in healthcare, education, and French proficiency to match national labour priorities
As reported by VisaVerge.com, draw sizes in 2025 often remain modest, suggesting careful management of annual targets while IRCC keeps space for category-based draws tied to the labour market.
What candidates should do now
- If you have a provincial nomination:
- Watch your profile’s validity dates.
- Keep documents current.
- Be ready to submit within the deadline if invited.
- If you don’t have a nomination:
- Consider PNP streams in provinces that fit your job and background.
- Look at employer-driven streams and occupation lists where your skills are in demand.
- If you have Canadian work experience:
- Follow Canadian Experience Class rounds closely.
- Strong language scores can raise your CRS total quickly.
- If you speak French:
- Category-based draws for French-language proficiency can help—improve test scores if possible.
Next steps after receiving an ITA
- You typically have 60 days to submit your permanent residence application online.
- Gather required documents:
- Police certificates
- Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF/TCF)
- Education credential assessments (ECA)
- Proof of work experience
- If your nomination has an expiry date, ensure your application is submitted well before it lapses.
- Keep proof of funds updated where required.
- Use official IRCC forms downloaded from the Government of Canada website when requested.
Official resource for draw details
For the latest draw results, program rules, and eligibility, consult the Government of Canada’s Express Entry page on the IRCC website. There you can view current draw summaries, pool distributions, and step-by-step guidance.
Practical scenario: a nominee at CRS 742
A software engineer with a base CRS of 142 receives a PNP (+600) and lands at 742. Under July’s PNP cut-off of 788, they would have missed out. This August cut-off of 739 means they now clear the bar.
Lesson: Timing matters for PNP candidates near the threshold—keeping profiles accurate helps when cut-offs shift.
Pool dynamics
- With PNP-only draws, most invites go to candidates already above 600 due to nomination, which keeps cut-offs high.
- In category-based draws (e.g., healthcare or French), the range can drop, but candidates still need strong language scores and verified work experience to compete.
Employer and province view
- Employers want faster processing for hard-to-fill roles. PNP lets provinces target specific jobs, helping hospitals, schools, and tech firms meet staffing needs.
- Provinces continue to press for larger allocations. IRCC must balance these requests with national targets and processing capacity.
What to watch next
- More category-based rounds: Continued focus on healthcare, education, and French skills.
- Canadian Experience Class: Expect rounds supporting those already living and working in Canada.
- PNP adjustments: Provinces may update occupation lists and streams—check provincial portals often.
Document checklist tips
- Language tests: Ensure IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF results are valid at submission.
- ECA: Confirm the ECA is for immigration purposes and still valid.
- Work letters: Request employer letters that list job title, duties, hours, and dates; duties should match your selected NOC code.
- Police checks: Order early—some countries take time to issue certificates.
- Medicals: Follow IRCC timing instructions; some applicants need an upfront medical.
If you’re preparing for the next draw
- Improve language scores—a few extra points can change your rank.
- Review your NOC selection to ensure it matches your duties.
- Explore provincial portals for streams aligned with your occupation.
- Keep your profile updated with promotions, new education, or added language scores.
Bottom line for applicants
- PNP nomination remains the most powerful route to an ITA because of the 600-point bonus.
- The August cut-off drop is positive for some nominees, but competition remains high due to small draw sizes.
- Stay ready: keep documents in order, tests valid, and your profile accurate.
For official guidance, check the IRCC Express Entry information on the Government of Canada website for eligibility, draw details, and application steps.
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