Express Entry Latest Draw: Increased Invitations for PNP Candidates 2025

Written by

Mynaz Altaf

Fact check by

Shreya Pandey

Updated on

Jul 30,2025

Express Entry Latest Draw: Increased Invitations for PNP Candidates - TerraTern

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The recent Express Entry draws in July of the year 2025 have given hope to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have kept on inviting skilled workers depending on the changing labour market provisions. The July 21 draw is notable as it called more PNP people and asked them to have a very high score in Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This is the information you should know about the new era of the Express Entry system and what these patterns entail to potential immigrants.

Express Entry Draw Recap: July 2025 at a Glance

Canadian point-based immigration program, Express Entry, gives a skilled worker the right to immigrate to Canada and there have been numerous draws this month, with the latest coming on July 22.

Date

Draw Type

Invited

Cut-off CRS Score

July 22

Healthcare/Social

4,000

475

July 21

Provincial Nominee

202

788

July 8

Canadian Experience

3,000

518

July 7

Provincial Nominee

356

750

2025 by the Numbers: Express Entry Statistics

Here are the statistics for the latest express entry in 2025:

Year

Draws (Jan–24 July)

Total ITAs Issued

Average CRS Score

2025

27

49,403

617

2024

27

62,615

481

2023

22

69,148

476

 

What's Behind the High CRS Score for PNP Draws?

The high scores in CRS in Provincial Nominee Programs can be explained by some primary aspects that make those draws truly competitive:

  • Provincial Nomination Advantage

Specifically, candidates who have received an invitation via a PNP draw have already received the province nominations, and this automatically increases their Express-entry profile by 600 points in the CRS. This large point increment indicates that the majority of the PNPs applicants cash in scores that are above the 700 mark initially, thus giving such draws a favourable high threshold by default.

  • Emitting Less Affected Allocation

In the Canadian 2025 immigration plan, the PNP quotas are low compared to those in the last few years, thus leading to much competition among the nominees. As the numbers of such available openings are limited, the provinces will be picking the best they have, and IRCC is just inviting the best of the best of the high-scoring profiles of this already elite group.

  • Selection Process Strategic

Canada is changing toward focused immigration, which embraces local labour demands, and this is shown by the high CRS requirements. The candidates are pre-screened to fit the economic priorities of the provinces, after which they are picked from this pool by the federal government for the most competitive candidates.

  • Market-Driven Competition

This competitive environment is one of the strategies that Canada has been able to respond to the changing economic factors and requirements for jobs in Canada. Through high standards, both provincial and federal governments can be able to end up with successful candidates who have the skills and qualifications that are most demanded by Canadian employers and communities.

Also Read: Digital Nomad Visa Canada: Experts Complete Guide 

How Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Works in Express Entry?

It is important to get an overview of the use of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in combination with Express Entry to determine how a PNP works and why they complement each other in attracting high-quality immigrants to the country.

  • The candidates fill an Express Entry profile and express interest in provinces.

  • The provinces make nominations on their labour requirements.

  • The number of points awarded to nominees increases to 600, an act that considerably improves the ranking of nominees.

  • PNP draws allow the federal government to invite the leading profiles to take permanent residence.

Draw No.

Date

Program Targeted

Invitations

CRS Cut-off

356

July 21

Provincial Nominee

202

788

354

July 7

Provincial Nominee

356

750

352

June 23

Provincial Nominee

503

742

Why the Shift? Insights from Immigration Experts

Policies of immigration do not emerge in a vacuum, and with the current tendency of Express Entry policies in Canada, one needs to look at the insights of experts regarding the changing priorities of Canadian immigration.

  • Canada’s reduced permanent resident targets in 2025 have led to fewer invitations, especially under PNP streams.

  • Provinces received lower PNP allocations, resulting in more selective nomination criteria.

  • The overall CRS average has risen to 617 this year, compared to 481 in 2024, making competition stiffer.

Also Read: Multiple Entry Visa Canada: Latest Requirements & Fees 

Table: Express Entry PNP Draws – January to July 2025 Overview

Month

No. PNP Draws

Total PNP Invitations

Highest CRS (PNP Draw)

Lowest CRS (PNP Draw)

January

2

942

802

793

March

3

1,907

750

667

May

2

1,022

764

706

July

2

558

788

750

What’s Next for Express Entry Applicants?

Applicants who aim at the Provincial Nominee Program are supposed to:

  • Make sure that they make their profiles as competitive as possible - minor additions to work experience or language tests scores can be the difference maker.

  • Check provincial nomination openings because the quotas are being rapidly filled in 2025.

  • Expect increasing CRS levels and always consider this even when planning to apply through high labour demand regions.

Recent Trends and What Applicants Should Watch

The candidate can expect there to be clear trends present in the Express Entry situation of 2025, and they must understand them so that they can come up with the right strategy as to how they would have to go about getting their immigration successful.

  • Nowadays, there are fewer Provincial Nominations, and it demands a considerably high CRS, and the game is played only by top-scoring profiles.

  • The trend is observed in the priorities, which IRCC has been putting most invitations on: health-care workers, teachers, and good French speakers.

  • Such a selective process is believed to be repeated, and tentatively, the next invitation round will be on 30 July 2025.

Also Read: Banking Jobs in Canada for Indian Immigrants: Latest Insight

Conclusion

Since Canada is still managing its immigration policy, the winners will always be those who adjust accordingly to these new demands and keep their profiles in a very competitive format. The targeted draw focus indicates that the generic applications can do poorly, as applicants who have special skills in an area where there is high demand can benefit instead. The official site of Immigration and Citizenship of the Government of Canada gives the most up-to-date information on the Express Entry draws and updates. For more information, visit TerraTern now!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Express Entry?

The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces to nominate skilled workers for permanent residency, granting successful nominees an additional 600 CRS points. This federal-provincial partnership ensures immigrants settle where their skills are most needed. Each province has specific streams and criteria based on local labour market demands.

Why are CRS scores for PNP draws higher than other draws?

PNP nominees automatically receive 600 extra points, creating a competition pool with scores above 700. The dual selection process—first by provinces, then by IRCC—means only the most competitive candidates receive invitations. This results in consistently high cut-off scores ranging from 750-800+.

How often are PNP draws held in Express Entry?

PNP draws typically occur every 2-4 weeks, though frequency varies based on IRCC's immigration targets and provincial quotas. In 2025, draws are less frequent due to reduced allocations and stricter immigration targets. Timing depends on provincial submissions and federal strategic priorities.

How many candidates have received ITAs in 2025 so far?

As of July 24, 2025, IRCC has issued 49,403 ITAs across all Express Entry categories through 27 draws. This represents a significant decrease from 62,615 ITAs in the same period in 2024. The reduction reflects Canada's more conservative immigration approach for 2025.

When is the next Express Entry draw expected?

Immigration experts predict the next draw around July 30, 2025, based on IRCC's recent bi-weekly pattern. However, dates can change due to processing capacity and policy adjustments. The upcoming draw may prioritize specific categories like healthcare or French-speaking candidates rather than general selections.