Canada’s Latest Express Entry Draw Invites 277 PNP Candidates

Key Takeaways

• June 2, 2025, Express Entry draw invited 277 Provincial Nominee Program candidates with 726 minimum CRS score.
• Job offer points removed March 25, 2025, to reduce fraud and focus on Canadian experience and skills.
• New 2025 draws target specific categories with smaller invitations and higher CRS cutoffs, increasing competition.

Canada’s Express Entry System: New Draws, Policy Shifts, and What They Mean for Immigrants

Canada 🇨🇦 continues to adjust its immigration system in 2025, with the latest Express Entry draw on June 2, 2025, reflecting major changes in how skilled workers are selected for permanent residence. The draw, which invited 277 candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream, required a high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 726. This marks a clear shift toward smaller, more targeted draws and higher cutoffs, making the process more competitive for those hoping to move to Canada 🇨🇦.

This article explains what’s happening with Express Entry, why these changes matter, and how they affect candidates, employers, and the Canadian labor market. We’ll break down the latest policy updates, the step-by-step process, and what you can do to improve your chances under the new rules.

What Happened in the Latest Express Entry Draw?

On June 2, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry draw #348. This draw was only for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program. Here’s what you need to know:

• Date: June 2, 2025
• Invitations Issued: 277
• Minimum CRS Score: 726
• Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program only

This draw continues a recent trend: smaller numbers of invitations and higher CRS cutoffs. For comparison, the previous draw on May 13, 2025, targeted Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, with 500 invitations and a minimum CRS of 547. Just a day earlier, on May 12, another PNP-only draw invited 511 candidates with a minimum CRS of 706.

The pattern is clear—Canada 🇨🇦 is focusing on specific groups and raising the bar for selection.

Why Is Express Entry Changing in 2025?

The changes in 2025 are some of the biggest since Express Entry began in 2015. The government, under the leadership of the Honourable Marc Miller, has made several key adjustments:

• Removal of Job Offer Points: As of March 25, 2025, candidates no longer get extra CRS points for having a job offer. This was done to reduce fraud related to Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and to make the system fairer.
• Category-Based Draws: IRCC is now focusing on candidates with Canadian work experience, strong French language skills, or work experience in high-demand sectors like healthcare, trades, and education.
• Irregular Draw Schedule: Instead of the usual biweekly draws, the schedule is now unpredictable, with pauses and smaller draws reflecting lower immigration targets for 2025–2027.

These changes aim to better match Canada’s 🇨🇦 labor market needs and ensure the system is fair and sustainable.

How Does Express Entry Work? A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re thinking about applying through Express Entry, here’s what you need to know about the process:

1. Check Your Eligibility: You must qualify for one of three federal economic immigration programs:
   • Federal Skilled Worker Program
   • Federal Skilled Trades Program
   • Canadian Experience Class
     You can check eligibility requirements on the official IRCC Express Entry page.
2. Create Your Profile: Submit an online profile with details about your education, work experience, language skills, and other factors.

3. Get Your CRS Score: The Comprehensive Ranking System gives you a score based on your profile. As of spring 2025, you no longer get points for arranged job offers.

4. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA): IRCC holds draws and invites the highest-ranking candidates in specific categories or programs.

5. Apply for Permanent Residence: If you get an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your full application. The main form is IMM 0008.

6. Processing and Decision: IRCC reviews your application and usually makes a decision within six months.

What Is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?

The CRS is a points system used to rank Express Entry candidates. Points are given for:

• Age
• Education
• Language skills (English and/or French)
• Work experience (in Canada 🇨🇦 and abroad)
• Canadian degrees, diplomas, or certificates
• Provincial nomination (adds 600 points)
• Other factors

Important: As of March 25, 2025, you no longer get extra points for having a job offer. This change makes it harder for some candidates to boost their scores, especially if they don’t have Canadian work experience or a provincial nomination.

What Is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

The Provincial Nominee Program lets provinces and territories in Canada 🇨🇦 choose immigrants who meet their local labor needs. If you get a nomination from a province, you receive 600 extra CRS points, almost guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Recent Express Entry draws have focused heavily on PNP candidates, which is why the minimum CRS scores are so high. For example, the June 2, 2025, draw required a CRS of 726, and earlier PNP draws in May and April had cutoffs above 700.

Who Is Most Affected by the New Rules?

Candidates

• Harder for Job Offer Holders: Without extra points for job offers, candidates who relied on this to boost their CRS scores now face tougher competition.
• Focus on Canadian Experience: Those with Canadian work experience or strong French language skills have a better chance.
• In-Demand Occupations: Candidates in healthcare, trades, education, and social services are more likely to be invited.

Employers

• Hiring Challenges: Some employers worry it will be harder to attract international talent for jobs not covered by the new categories.
• Less Reliance on LMIAs: The change aims to reduce fake job offers and make the system more honest.

Immigration Lawyers and Consultants

• More Competitive System: Experts say the removal of job offer points makes Express Entry more merit-based but also more competitive. Candidates need to focus on improving language scores, gaining Canadian work experience, or targeting in-demand jobs.

The Canadian Labor Market

• Better Alignment: The government wants to make sure new immigrants meet real labor market needs, especially in sectors facing shortages.
• Reduced Fraud: By removing job offer points, the system aims to cut down on fake offers and ensure fairness.

Recent Express Entry Draws: A Closer Look

Here’s a summary of recent draws to show the trend toward smaller, targeted selections and higher CRS cutoffs:

Since March 21, 2025, only six draws have been held, each with fewer invitations and higher CRS requirements. This is a big change from previous years, when draws were larger and more frequent.

Why Did Canada 🇨🇦 Remove Job Offer Points?

The main reason was to stop fraud related to job offers and LMIAs. Some people were getting fake job offers just to get extra CRS points. By removing these points, the government hopes to make the system fairer and more focused on real skills and experience.

Minister Marc Miller explained that the new categories for 2025 focus on:

• Canadian Experience Class candidates
• Strong French language skills
• Work experience in healthcare, social services, trades, and education

This approach is meant to fill real gaps in the labor market and support Canada’s 🇨🇦 long-term needs.

What Should Candidates Do Now?

If you’re hoping to immigrate through Express Entry, here are some practical steps:

• Improve Language Scores: Higher scores in English or French can boost your CRS.
• Gain Canadian Work Experience: If possible, work or study in Canada 🇨🇦 to get extra points.
• Target In-Demand Occupations: Focus on jobs in healthcare, trades, education, or social services.
• Consider Provincial Nominee Programs: A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an invitation.
• Stay Updated: Check the official IRCC Express Entry page for the latest news and eligibility details.

What’s Next for Express Entry?

The future of Express Entry remains uncertain. The draw schedule may stay irregular, with possible shifts to a four-week cycle. IRCC could also expand or refine targeted categories based on labor market needs.

The removal of job offer points is expected to stay, but the government will keep watching for any problems and may adjust the rules again if needed.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

Express Entry started in 2015 as a way to select skilled immigrants quickly and fairly. It uses a points-based system to rank candidates and invite the best ones to apply for permanent residence.

Over time, the system has changed to focus more on specific needs. In 2025, the biggest overhaul yet was introduced, with a focus on:

• Integrity (reducing fraud)
• Labor market alignment (matching real job needs)
• Sustainability (making sure the system works for the long term)

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are designed to make immigration more fair and to help Canada 🇨🇦 attract the right talent for its economy.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• IRCC Express Entry Portal: For official updates, eligibility checks, and application steps, visit the Government of Canada’s Express Entry page.
• Contact IRCC: Use the web form on the IRCC website or call 1-888-242-2100 (within Canada 🇨🇦) for help.
• Trusted News and Analysis: Websites like Immigration News Canada, Canadavisa, Moving2Canada, and Newland Chase offer ongoing updates and expert advice.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• Express Entry is now more competitive, with higher CRS cutoffs and smaller draws.
• Job offer points have been removed, so focus on language skills, Canadian experience, and in-demand jobs.
• Provincial Nominee Programs are more important than ever for boosting your CRS score.
• Stay informed by checking official IRCC updates and trusted news sources.
• If you’re eligible, submit your profile and be ready to act quickly if you receive an invitation.

Canada’s 🇨🇦 immigration system is changing fast. By understanding the new rules and focusing on what matters most—skills, experience, and language—you can improve your chances of success in the Express Entry system.

For more details and to start your application, visit the official IRCC Express Entry page.

Word Count: 1,520

Learn Today

Express Entry → Canada’s immigration system selecting skilled workers based on a points-based ranking.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) → A points system ranking Express Entry candidates by skills, experience, and factors.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) → Allows provinces to nominate immigrants meeting local labor needs with extra CRS points.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official invitation for Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) → A Canadian work permit process assessing employer need for foreign workers.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada’s Express Entry in 2025 sees higher CRS cutoffs and smaller draws, focusing on skilled workers with Canadian experience, French language skills, and provincial nominations to better align immigration with labor market needs.
— By VisaVerge.com