OTTAWA — Canada has held its first Express Entry draw under the leadership of the country’s new Immigration Minister, issuing 277 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The draw, conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 3, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 726.
To be considered, candidates needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 3:46 p.m. UTC on September 24, 2024. This draw is the latest in a series of PNP-focused selections and reflects Canada’s continuing strategy of targeting candidates with provincial nominations.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 34,717 ITAs through 18 draws, including nine PNP-specific rounds and four focused on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. The department has also held category-based selections targeting French-language proficiency, education, and healthcare professionals.
Recent draws include a May 13 CEC round issuing 500 ITAs with a cut-off score of 547, and two back-to-back category draws earlier in May targeting candidates in healthcare and education with scores as low as 479. Notably, the lowest CRS score this year was 379, in a large March 21 draw for French-proficient candidates.
Canada uses the CRS to prioritize candidates most likely to succeed in its labour market. The score is based on a range of factors including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Government research shows Express Entry immigrants tend to integrate quickly, earn strong incomes, and maintain high employment levels—outcomes driven by the evidence-based design of the CRS system.
With immigration playing a critical role in addressing Canada’s labour shortages, IRCC continues to refine its Express Entry strategy to meet economic needs while ensuring fair and efficient selection. For candidates eyeing permanent residency, the latest draw reaffirms the importance of provincial nominations and a competitive CRS profile.