(CANADA) Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a second Provincial Nominee Program round this month, issuing 345 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence on October 14, 2025. Officially listed as Express Entry Draw #372, the draw targeted candidates with provincial nominations and set a minimum CRS score of 778, down 77 points from the previous PNP-only round on September 29, which required 855. IRCC applied a tie-breaker for profiles submitted before July 17, 2025, at 19:58:49 UTC.
The move underscores IRCC’s ongoing use of program-specific draws to balance national selection goals with regional labor needs. By focusing on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Ottawa signals continued reliance on provinces and territories to identify workers who can fill local shortages. This is consistent with the immigration plan for 2025, where PNPs are projected to account for over 36% of total economic immigration admissions under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
The high cutoff is typical for PNP rounds. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile, so a CRS score of 778 suggests a base score of about 178 before the nomination boost. That math highlights two things at once: the strong weight IRCC gives to regional selection through the PNP and the diverse range of profiles that can succeed once nominated by a province.
How this draw fits into October’s pattern
This PNP draw followed a busy start to October. IRCC began the month with a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on October 1, issuing 1,000 ITAs at a cutoff of 534. Six days later, on October 6, IRCC held a French language proficiency round, inviting 4,500 candidates with a cutoff of 432. The October 14 PNP round continues that program-specific pattern, each aimed at different policy goals within the overall Express Entry system.
IRCC’s published pool figures show the current pressure points. As of October 14, the pool held 247,997 candidates. Among them:
- 25,411 candidates had scores between 501 and 600
- 70,641 were in the 451–500 range
- 72,026 fell between 401 and 450
For many hopefuls without a nomination, those numbers reflect stiff competition—especially as category-based and program-specific rounds can bypass the general pool, at least temporarily.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the 77-point drop from the September PNP-only cutoff likely reflects timing and nomination issuance across provinces, rather than a wholesale shift in federal selection standards. PNP draws tend to fluctuate as provinces send nominations in batches tied to their own program calendars. When more nominated profiles enter the pool close together, the PNP cutoff can rise; when the flow is steadier, it can ease, as seen in Express Entry Draw #372.
Key takeaway: PNP cutoff fluctuations often reflect nomination timing and provincial batching rather than sudden federal policy changes.
Draw metrics and pool pressure
- Draw date: October 14, 2025
- Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Number of ITAs: 345
- Minimum CRS score: 778
- Tie-breaker: Profiles submitted before July 17, 2025, at 19:58:49 UTC
- Recent context: CEC draw on October 1 (1,000 ITAs, 534 cutoff); French draw on October 6 (4,500 ITAs, 432 cutoff)
These figures reflect IRCC’s multi-track approach this month: one round aimed at Canadian work experience (CEC), another at strong French ability, and a PNP round that channels regional selection. For candidates watching trends, the varied cutoffs show how selection criteria change sharply by round type—even when all rounds fall under Express Entry.
What this means for candidates
For nominated candidates, the latest PNP draw delivered an important opening. The ITAs issued on October 14 move invited applicants a step closer to permanent residence. Meanwhile, candidates without nominations can draw a few practical lessons:
- PNPs remain central. With PNPs expected to exceed 36% of economic admissions in 2025, provinces will keep shaping outcomes.
- Scores shift by round type. A CRS score competitive in a French or CEC draw may not clear a PNP threshold, and vice versa.
- Tie-breakers matter. If your score meets the cutoff, your profile submission timestamp can decide whether you get an invitation.
For those considering the PNP route, the 600-point boost continues to act as a strong lever. A skilled worker with a modest base score can become competitive overnight once nominated. That is why close attention to provincial streams—occupation lists, language needs, and geographic priorities—can pay off. Several provinces align their invitations with urgent local demands, which can change during the year as employers signal new shortages.
The broader pool numbers also carry meaning for candidates preparing their files. With tens of thousands of profiles in the 451–500 range alone, small improvements can help. While the latest story centers on PNP selection, pool dynamics affect all categories:
- More high-scoring candidates make general draws tougher.
- Program-specific rounds can temporarily ease pressure in some parts of the pool and raise it in others.
- Even a small rise in language scores or work history points can move a profile up hundreds of positions in a crowded band.
The strategic picture: multiple races, not one
The timeline of October draws shows IRCC’s flexible use of targeted rounds:
- Early-month CEC and French draws supported domestic experience and francophone immigration goals.
- The mid-month PNP draw advanced regional targets across provinces and territories.
Together, they illustrate how Express Entry is not a single race but several races running side by side, each with its own rules and pace.
For readers wanting to verify official outcomes and cutoffs, IRCC posts draw-by-draw results on its website. The agency’s rounds page lists all invitations, the type of draw, the number of ITAs, and the CRS score cutoffs for each event. You can review details for Express Entry Draw #372 and earlier rounds through IRCC’s official resource: IRCC Express Entry rounds of invitations.
Human impact and outlook
Behind the numbers are real lives planning for moves, jobs, and schools. Examples:
- A software tester nominated by a prairie province may now fast-track permanent residence after months of waiting.
- A bilingual nurse with strong French could benefit more from a language-based draw than a general one.
- A postgraduate worker with Canadian experience might watch for the next CEC round rather than chase a nomination.
Each path is valid; each reflects Canada’s shifting needs across sectors and regions 🇨🇦.
Looking ahead, observers will watch whether IRCC keeps this mix through the rest of October and into November. If provinces continue to nominate at a steady pace, PNP cutoffs could remain within a similar range. If nomination volumes surge, the threshold might rise again.
For now, the take-home message is straightforward: 345 ITAs, a CRS score cutoff of 778, and a tie-breaker of July 17, 2025, 19:58:49 UTC define Express Entry Draw #372. The drop from 855 last month shows how PNP round cutoffs can move with nomination timing. And the pool totals—nearly a quarter-million profiles—confirm that competition remains strong, especially for those aiming to receive an invitation without a provincial nomination.
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 14, 2025, IRCC conducted Express Entry Draw #372, a PNP-only round that issued 345 ITAs with a minimum CRS of 778 and a tie-breaker timestamp of July 17, 2025 at 19:58:49 UTC. The cutoff fell 77 points from the prior PNP-only draw on September 29 (855), a change analysts attribute to provincial nomination timing and batching rather than federal policy shifts. The Express Entry pool stood at 247,997 candidates, with large cohorts in the 401–600 CRS ranges. The 600-point provincial nomination boost remains decisive, enabling candidates with modest base scores to become competitive once nominated. October’s multiple program-specific draws — CEC, French proficiency, and PNP — illustrate IRCC’s targeted approach to balance national goals with regional needs.
