Express Entry Draw #386: 399 PNP Invitations, CRS 731 Cut-Off

Canada 🇨🇦’s immigration department held Express Entry Draw #386 on December 15, 2025, issuing 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates already nominated by a province, with a CRS Cut-Off of 731, according to draw details provided in multiple reports. The round, run through the federal Express Entry system but limited to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) selections, arrived as provinces and employers pressed for quicker pathways to fill local jobs late in the year.

Draw timing and context

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the draw at 14:39:41 UTC on December 15, 2025, making it the 56th Express Entry draw of 2025 and the 24th round aimed only at PNP candidates.
• While Express Entry often alternates between broad and targeted rounds, this one remained tightly focused on candidates who had already received a provincial nomination (which adds 600 CRS points to their base score).

Tie-break rule and timing discrepancy

For candidates with the exact CRS score of 731, a tie-breaking rule decided who received PNP Invitations.

• Reports say profiles with that score had to be submitted before October 8, 2025, at 7:18:52 UTC.
• One account cited October 18 instead, but multiple sources support October 8. Small timing differences can matter for applicants who entered the pool with the same score.

“Express Entry Draw #386 occurred on December 15, 2025, issuing 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 731.”

Cut-off, pool size, and year-to-date totals

• The CRS Cut-Off of 731 was reported as 2 points higher than the prior PNP-specific draw earlier in December.
• Remember: provincial nominees receive 600 CRS points, so many nominees’ scores exceed 700.
• As of December 15, the pool contained 237,302 profiles, adding to the competition even within a targeted stream.

A quick summary of 2025 totals (as reported):
– 56 draws in 2025
– 102,998 ITAs issued year-to-date
– 10,898 ITAs issued to provincial nominees over the year

These figures underline how provincial governments increasingly shape admissions to match regional labour plans.

Recent trend: targeted vs broad rounds

The December 15 PNP-only round followed a week of varied selection focuses:

• December 11: Targeted draw for healthcare and social services occupations with a reported CRS score of 476.
• December 10: Largest Canadian Experience Class round in more than 16 months (reported).
• December 8: Described as the biggest PNP draw of the year.

This rapid shift demonstrates how IRCC alternates category rounds and nominee rounds rather than relying on a single all-program selection.

What an ITA means for nominees

An ITA opens the door to a permanent residence application after months of provincial paperwork. Key steps and requirements after receiving an ITA:

1. Submit a full electronic application for permanent residence.
2. Provide supporting documents, typically including:
   • Police certificates
   • Medical exams
   • Proof of work experience and education
3. Keep the provincial nomination valid (important if job or address changes)

IRCC’s public guidance on Express Entry is available at: Express Entry

Analysis and implications

• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the late-December emphasis on provincial nominees fits an end-of-year push to align admissions with local labour plans rather than treating the pool as a single national list.
• The PNP-only round was described as part of IRCC’s “year-end strategy prioritizing provincial nominations for regional economic alignment,” with similar rounds expected into early 2026.
• For provinces, each nomination certificate is a bet that a worker will remain and contribute to regional economies outside the largest cities.

Practical takeaways for applicants

• The tie-break timestamp is a reminder that Express Entry relies on both score and timing. Candidates with identical points can fall on different sides of the cut-off if profiles were filed minutes apart.
• For those waiting on a provincial decision, it’s often advantageous to:
  • Create an Express Entry profile as soon as eligible, then
  • Update it once a nomination is received, rather than waiting until the last moment.
• Even with a nomination, candidates still compete within a defined group; the large pool size (237,302) keeps pressure on cut-offs.

What to expect next

• The December 15 selection did not include quotes from IRCC officials in the material reviewed, and no public rationale for the exact number of ITAs was provided in those summaries.
• For the 399 candidates who received PNP ITAs, the coming weeks are usually dedicated to gathering records and ensuring all profile details match submitted documents.
• Applicants who missed this round by a few points or by the tie-break timestamp will be watching the next PNP-only selection closely, as the pattern is expected to continue into early 2026.
• Meanwhile, the pool will continue to reshuffle as new profiles enter and older ones expire or get updated.

Important warnings and reminders

• Deadlines and timestamps matter — small timing differences can determine ITA issuance.
• An ITA is the start: applicants must complete and support a full permanent residence application after invitation.
• Keep provincial nominations valid and be prepared to gather documents quickly (police, medicals, proof of employment/education).