IRCC Conducts PNP-Specific Express Entry Draw, Invites 421 Candidates

The latest Express Entry Draw conducted on April 28, 2025, targets candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 421 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the PNP draw.

To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727 for this round. 

They also had to create their Express Entry profile before 5:11 p.m. UTC on September 9, 2024.

IRCC Continues PNP Focus in Latest Express Entry Draw

April 2025 draws contribute to the 31,929 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued through Express Entry in 2025, with recent rounds exclusively targeting PNP candidates.

April had two PNP draws, continuing IRCC's focus on provincial nominees over other categories like CEC. Also, note that IRCC has prioritized PNP and French-proficiency candidates in 2025.

Summary of PNP Draws in 2025

No CEC-specific draws have occurred since February 5. This gap can be attributed to the current emphasis on provincial nominees and French-proficient candidates.

In 2025, IRCC held three Express Entry draws for candidates with French proficiency skills. Each draw issued between 6,500 and 7,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). These three draws had lower CRS cut-off scores to qualify compared to other categories.

The absence of category-based draws (except for the French Category) suggests that IRCC prioritizes regional labour needs through provincial nominations while maintaining flexibility for future priority categories.

However, IRCC plans to prioritize CEC candidates and other key categories under its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

Under Canada's 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government aims to admit 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, with 232,150 spots (59%) allocated to economic immigration, the largest category.

Express Entry-managed programs (including Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades) will play a central role in this economic intake. Under new categories like “Federal Economic Priorities” and “In-Canada Focus,” Canada aims to admit 124,590 high-skilled workers directly through federal streams. This strategy emphasizes retaining experienced candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy.

Express Entry now accounts for 31.5% of Canada’s economic immigration targets, a significant increase from 22.8% in 2024. The change shows a shift toward federal control over skilled worker selection.

To tackle critical labour shortages, IRCC is prioritizing candidates in healthcare, skilled trades, education, and French-language proficiency through targeted category-based draws.

Bring Your Family Through Express Entry to Canada

The Express Entry stream allows you to bring your dear and near ones to Canada. 

You may sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children in your PR application.

If you are selected through Express Entry, your accompanying family members automatically receive permanent resident status.

Your family can live, work, and study in Canada from day one.

Canada also offers pathways to reunite with extended family members through the Parents and Grandparents Program or to visit Canada through the Super Visa program.

IRCC is making changes to help families reunite, such as faster visa processing and open work permits for spouses. Canada hopes to welcome 395,000 new immigrants this year, balancing economic needs with the goal of keeping families together.

Keep following ImmiLaw Global to stay abreast of the latest immigration news, updates, and guidance on immigration pathways.

We will bring you the latest updates and breaking news on Canada’s immigration policies, Express Entry draws, and permanent residency programs.

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