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Monthly Archives: September 2025

September 30, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the latest round of invitations under the Express Entry system on Monday, September 29, 2025. The draw, officially Express Entry Draw #369, was targeted specifically at candidates who had secured a Provincial Nomination.

Key Results of Draw #369

Date of draw: September 29, 2025

Draw type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)–specific

Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 291

Minimum CRS score required:855

Tie-breaking rule: April 8, 2025

Only candidates who had already received a provincial nomination and whose Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score met or exceeded 855 were invited to apply.

Why the Cut-off is So High

The CRS cut-off of 855 is steep but expected in a PNP-specific draw. A provincial nomination alone adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. This means the base CRS of invited candidates was around 255 or higher before the nomination boost.

For comparison:

•Recent trade occupation draws required CRS scores around 505.

•The recent education category draw had a cut-off of 462.

•A French-language draw earlier in September had a threshold as low as 446.

This makes PNP draws unique — they are small, highly selective, and aimed at candidates already endorsed by Canadian provinces.

See below summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
September 29 Provincial Nominee Program 291 855
September 18 Trade 1,250 505
September 17 Education 2,500 462
September 15 Provincial Nominee Program 228 746
September 4 French language proficiency 4,500 446
September 3 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
September 2 Provincial Nominee Program 249 772
August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
August 18 Provincial Nominee Program 192 800
August 8 French language proficiency 2,500 481
August 7 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
August 6 Provincial Nominee Program 225 739
July 22 Healthcare and social services 4,000 475
July 21 Provincial Nominee Program 202 788
July 8 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 518
July 7 Provincial Nominee Program 356 750
June 26 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 521
June 23 Provincial Nominee Program 503 742
June 12 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

 

The Role of Provincial Nominations

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories to nominate immigration candidates who have skills and experience aligned with local labour market needs. Once nominated, candidates get a major CRS boost, almost guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) when IRCC conducts a PNP-specific draw.

The 291 invitations in this round reflect both the provinces’ labour needs and IRCC’s ongoing effort to use category-based and targeted draws to address shortages across regions and industries.

What This Means for Candidates

1.PNP remains a golden ticket: If your CRS is not competitive in general or occupation-based draws, pursuing a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to secure permanent residency.

2.Early submission is critical: The tie-break rule shows that timing matters — among candidates at the cut-off score, those who submitted earlier received priority.

3.Expect continued category focus: In 2025, IRCC has leaned heavily on targeted draws (PNP, trades, education, French, healthcare), reducing reliance on broad all-program rounds. Candidates should keep monitoring which categories align with their profile.

With Canada’s ongoing immigration targets set to remain high, IRCC is expected to continue alternating between category-based draws and PNP-specific draws to meet both national and provincial labour needs.

Candidates aiming for Canadian permanent residency are advised to:

•Explore provincial nomination opportunities actively.

•Keep CRS scores competitive by improving language results, education credentials, and Canadian work experience where possible.

•Stay updated on IRCC’s draw schedules and categories to anticipate upcoming opportunities

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

September 29, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) has conducted its latest immigration draw on September 19, 2025, issuing a total of 129 invitations to apply for provincial nomination.

Key Details of the Draw

  • Date: September 19, 2025

  • Invitations issued: 129

  • Category: Labour Impact and Express Entry

  • Business/Entrepreneur invitations: 0

All invitations in this round were issued under the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams, with no invitations allocated to the Business Work Permit/Entrepreneur category.

Focus on Labour and Express Entry Candidates

The invitations were targeted toward candidates who:

  • Are working in priority sectors aligned with the province’s labour market needs.

  • Already have a job offer from a PEI employer or are currently employed in the province.

  • May include recent graduates from PEI post-secondary institutions (University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and Collège de l’Île).

By focusing solely on the labour and express entry streams, PEI continues its 2025 strategy of addressing urgent skilled worker shortages while maximizing the impact of its limited federal nomination allocation.

2025 PEI PNP Trends

The September 19 draw follows several earlier rounds this year:

  • August 21, 2025 — 132 invitations (Labour/Express Entry).

  • July 17, 2025 — 39 invitations.

  • June 19, 2025 — 52 invitations, including 1 under the Business stream.

  • April & May 2025 — Two large rounds of 168 invitations each.

So far in 2025, PEI has issued hundreds of invitations, but fewer than in 2024, reflecting the province’s reduced federal nomination quota of 1,025 for the year. This reduction has made draws more competitive and more tightly focused on applicants with strong economic ties to the province.

What This Means for Applicants

  • Labour market alignment is crucial: PEI is clearly prioritizing candidates with skills in healthcare, trades, manufacturing, and other key industries.

  • Job offers matter: Having an active PEI employer connection greatly improves an applicant’s chances of receiving an invitation.

  • Business category on pause: With repeated rounds excluding entrepreneur invitations, those in the business stream may face longer waits.

  • Upcoming opportunities: According to the PEI immigration office’s published schedule, the next draws are expected on October 16, November 20, and December 18, 2025.

The September 19, 2025 PEI PNP draw highlights the province’s ongoing commitment to addressing labour shortages by selecting candidates most likely to integrate quickly into the workforce.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

September 29, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Alberta has just made headlines with a series of immigration draws that could shape the lives of thousands of skilled workers and families. Between September 2 and 17, 2025, the province invited more than 2,800 candidates through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

For newcomers hoping to settle in Alberta, this is more than just another round of numbers. It’s a clear signal that the province is doubling down on immigration to meet its workforce demands in healthcare, agriculture, construction, aviation, technology, and even law enforcement.

Alberta’s Early September Draws

The month started with a bang. Over just nine days (September 2–10), Alberta conducted seven targeted draws and issued 1,376 invitations.

Here’s a breakdown of what those draws looked like:

Date Stream / Pathway Minimum Score Invitations
Sept 10 Alberta Express Entry – Aviation 50 30
Sept 9 Alberta Express Entry – Health Care 64 70
Sept 8 Alberta Express Entry – Construction 61 121
Sept 5 Alberta Express Entry – Agriculture 48 71
Sept 4 Alberta Opportunity Stream 56 891
Sept 3 Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Non-Express Entry 44 67
Sept 2 Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry 49 126

What stands out here?

  • The Opportunity Stream draw on September 4 was by far the largest, with 891 invitations — almost two-thirds of the early September total.

  • Healthcare and agriculture draws had cut-offs as low as 44–49, reflecting Alberta’s urgent need for workers in those sectors.

  • Even niche draws, like aviation (30 invites), highlight Alberta’s strategy of targeting very specific skills.

In short, the province was laying the groundwork early in September, balancing large general draws with sector-focused ones.

Mid-September Surprise: Massive Draws and New Sectors

If early September was busy, the second half of the month turned it into a record-setter. Between September 12 and 17, Alberta held three more draws, this time issuing 1,443 additional invitations.

Date Stream / Pathway Minimum Score Invitations
Sept 12 Alberta Opportunity Stream 57 1,113
Sept 16 Alberta Express Entry – Accelerated Tech Pathway 69 320
Sept 17 Alberta Express Entry – Law Enforcement Occupations 55 10

Highlights from this round:

  • The September 12 draw was a blockbuster: 1,113 invitations in one go, through the Alberta Opportunity Stream. It was one of the single biggest AAIP draws of 2025.

  • The Accelerated Tech Pathway (Sept 16) kept Alberta’s momentum in attracting highly skilled IT professionals, offering 320 invitations at a cut-off score of 69.

  • The Law Enforcement draw (Sept 17) was small, with only 10 invitations, but it’s notable. It shows Alberta is willing to use immigration to address niche shortages in public safety and policing.

Why This Month Is So Significant

  1. Scale of Invitations
    In just over two weeks, Alberta invited 2,819 candidates — more than some provinces do in half a year.

  2. Low Cut-Offs = More Opportunity
    Many draws had cut-offs in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, opening doors for candidates who might not stand a chance in federal Express Entry draws, where scores are often above 500.

  3. Sectoral Precision
    Rather than casting a wide net, Alberta is laser-focused on areas where the province feels the pinch: healthcare, agriculture, aviation, construction, technology, and law enforcement.

  4. Closing in on the Cap
    Alberta’s federal allocation for 2025 was originally 4,875 nominations, but in early September, the federal government granted an additional 1,528 nomination slots, bringing the total to 6,403.
    By September 24, the province had already issued 3,983 nominations, leaving roughly 2,400 spaces still available for the rest of the year. This boost gives Alberta breathing room to continue its aggressive draw strategy without running out of capacity too soon.

What This Means for Candidates

For anyone hoping to move to Alberta, these draws are both encouraging and a call to action.

  • If your CRS score is moderate (40s–60s): Alberta is one of the best chances you have right now in Canada.

  • If you work in healthcare, agriculture, construction, tech, aviation, or law enforcement: Your odds of getting noticed are significantly higher.

  • If you already live and work in Alberta: The Opportunity Stream is clearly a priority pathway, giving strong preference to in-province workers.

  • If you’re considering Alberta: Act quickly — the province is approaching its nomination cap for 2025, and large draws may taper off later this year.

FAQs: Alberta’s PNP Explained

1. What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)?
The AAIP is Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). It allows the province to select candidates who meet its labour market needs and nominate them for Canadian permanent residency.

2. What is the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)?
The AOS is for foreign nationals already working in Alberta on valid work permits. It’s designed to help skilled workers with jobs in the province transition to permanent residency.

3. How do CRS scores apply in Alberta’s draws?
Alberta sometimes uses its own scoring system, but many draws are linked to the federal Express Entry pool, where the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) determines eligibility. Alberta often sets much lower score cut-offs compared to federal draws.

4. Why are Alberta’s cut-offs so low compared to federal Express Entry draws?
Because Alberta targets specific occupations and sectors, the province can invite candidates with moderate scores if they have the right skills or ties to Alberta.

5. How close is Alberta to its 2025 nomination limit?
After the extra 1,528 slots were added, Alberta’s total cap for 2025 rose to 6,403 nominations. By late September, 3,983 of these had already been issued — meaning around 2,400 remain for the rest of the year.

Final Thoughts

September 2025 will go down as one of the busiest months in Alberta’s immigration history. With over 2,800 invitations issued in just 15 days and a larger allocation of nomination slots, the province is making it clear: if you have the skills Alberta needs, now is the time to act.

For skilled workers worldwide, Alberta isn’t just a destination — it’s an opportunity waiting to be seized.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

September 22, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Manitoba continues to refine its Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) in response to labour market demands, immigration trends, and evolving federal policies. With reduced nomination allocations this year, tighter competition, and targeted draws.

Recent Draws and Invitations

In 2025, Manitoba has conducted several key draws under its Skilled Worker in Manitoba, Skilled Worker Overseas, and International Education streams.

  • September 18, 2025: A major round invited 911 skilled workers through Manitoba’s Strategic Recruitment Initiatives. No minimum cut-off score was published for this draw.

  • June 26, 2025: A combined round issued 478 invitations to international education graduates and foreign workers connected to Manitoba, alongside 14 invitations under skilled worker streams with a cut-off score of 712.

  • June 12, 2025: A targeted draw invited 36 skilled workers overseas, with the lowest-ranked candidate scoring 613. Five of these invitations went to candidates with valid Express Entry profiles.

  • March 2025: Manitoba invited 101 candidates under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream with a cut-off of 844, and 7 overseas candidates via strategic recruitment initiatives with a minimum score of 705.

These draws highlight Manitoba’s focus on both domestic graduates and strategically recruited foreign workers.

Policy Changes and Program Adjustments

The MPNP has also seen notable policy shifts this year:

  1. Employer Services Stream Pause
    Intake of new applications under the Employer Services stream was temporarily paused from July 4 to August 5, 2025. Applications submitted before the pause remain unaffected.

  2. Temporary Work Permit Policy
    A new public policy allows eligible PNP candidates to apply for Manitoba-specific work permits valid for up to two years. This measure supports workers whose permits have expired, are expiring soon, or who need restoration of status. The program runs until December 31, 2025.

  3. Reduced Nomination Allocation
    Manitoba’s allocation of provincial nominations was reduced in 2025 to 4,750 spots, down by nearly half compared to previous years. This makes competition for invitations significantly tighter.

What This Means for Applicants

For prospective immigrants, these updates present both challenges and opportunities:

  • Strategic Recruitment Initiatives remain critical. Candidates connected to Manitoba employers or occupations in demand have stronger chances.

  • International students and recent graduates benefit from the International Education Stream, which continues to issue large volumes of invitations.

  • Express Entry connections improve eligibility and processing speed, as draws often favour candidates with active Express Entry profiles.

  • Valid work authorization is essential. The new temporary work permit policy offers relief, but only until the end of 2025.

  • Higher competition is expected due to the reduced allocation, meaning strong applications and complete documentation are more important than ever.

Outlook for 2025

While Manitoba’s PNP continues to provide pathways for skilled workers, students, and internationally recruited talent, applicants must carefully time their applications, monitor official updates, and maintain eligibility.

With nomination caps reduced, future draws are likely to remain competitive and strategically targeted. However, the province’s support measures like the temporary work permit policy—signal Manitoba’s commitment to retaining workers who can contribute to its labour market and communities.

Manitoba’s 2025 PNP landscape is defined by opportunity tempered with heightened selectivity. For those considering this pathway, preparation, strong connections to Manitoba, and close attention to evolving policies will be the keys to success.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

September 19, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On September 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ran a category-based Express Entry draw for trade occupations, issuing 1,250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The lowest-ranked candidate invited in that draw had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505.

See below details of September 18 Express Entry draw

  • Date & type: IRCC held a trades-category Express Entry draw on September 18, 2025.

  • Number of ITAs: 1,250 candidates were invited

  • Minimum CRS score: The cut-off (lowest CRS score among invited candidates) was 505.

  • Tie-breaker timestamp: November 5, 2024

Who this draw targeted

IRCC’s trade draws are category-based selections that require candidates to have experience in one of a small set of eligible trade occupations. Candidates needed at least six months’ experience in an eligible trade to be considered.

See the full list of 25 trades-eligible occupations below:

Occupation NOC code
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services 82021
Floor covering installers 73113
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) 73112
Roofers and shinglers 73110
Concrete finishers 73100
Other technical trades and related occupations 72999
Water well drillers 72501
Electrical mechanics 72422
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 72402
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 72401
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 72400
Bricklayers 72320
Cabinetmakers 72311
Carpenters 72310
Gas fitters 72302
Plumbers 72300
Industrial electricians 72201
Electricians (except industrial and power system) 72200
Welders and related machine operators 72106
Sheet metal workers 72102
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors 72100
Home building and renovation managers 70011
Construction managers 70010
Cooks 63200
Construction estimators 22303

How this draw compares to past trade draws

This 505 cut-off is substantially higher than previous trade draws (previous trade cut-offs in 2023–2024 ranged mostly in the high-300s to mid-400s), which makes this round unusually selective for a trade-category draw. Various analysts point to the long gap since the last trades draw (October 2024) and a smaller number of ITAs compared with some past rounds as reasons the cut-off rose.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
September 17 Education 2,500 462
September 15 Provincial Nominee Program 228 746
September 4 French language proficiency 4,500 446
September 3 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
September 2 Provincial Nominee Program 249 772
August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
August 18 Provincial Nominee Program 192 800
August 8 French language proficiency 2,500 481
August 7 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
August 6 Provincial Nominee Program 225 739
July 22 Healthcare and social services 4,000 475
July 21 Provincial Nominee Program 202 788
July 8 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 518
July 7 Provincial Nominee Program 356 750
June 26 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 521
June 23 Provincial Nominee Program 503 742
June 12 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

What this means for trade candidates

  • If you’re in the Express Entry pool and in a listed trade occupation: a CRS of ~505 or higher would have been needed to receive an ITA in this round; if your score is lower, consider improvements (language test upgrades, additional qualifying work experience, education, or a provincial nomination).

  • Tie-break preparedness: if your CRS equals a published cut-off, IRCC uses the profile submission date/time to decide who receives an ITA — updating your profile doesn’t change your original submission timestamp. Make sure you know the exact timestamp on your profile.

Practical next steps (if this affects you)

  1. Confirm your NOC/occupation matches one of the eligible trades listed for this draw

  2. If your CRS is close to 505, consider: retaking language tests, getting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if not done, gaining additional verified work experience, or pursuing a provincial nomination.

  3. If you already received an ITA — submit a complete PR application within IRCC’s time limit and gather medicals, police checks, and supporting documents immediately.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

September 18, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On September 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the fifth Express Entry draw of the month, targeting candidates in the Education occupations category.

This latest draw highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to using category-based selection to address Canada’s critical labour market needs, particularly in education.

Key Details of the Draw

  • Date: September 17, 2025

  • Draw type: Education category (category-based selection)

  • Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 2,500

  • Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score: 462

  • Tie-breaking rule: July 9, 2025

This draw marks a significant increase in invitations compared to the previous education draw on May 1, 2025, which issued just 1,000 ITAs with a higher CRS cutoff of 479.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
September 17 Education 2,500 462
September 15 Provincial Nominee Program 228 746
September 4 French language proficiency 4,500 446
September 3 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
September 2 Provincial Nominee Program 249 772
August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
August 18 Provincial Nominee Program 192 800
August 8 French language proficiency 2,500 481
August 7 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
August 6 Provincial Nominee Program 225 739
July 22 Healthcare and social services 4,000 475
July 21 Provincial Nominee Program 202 788
July 8 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 518
July 7 Provincial Nominee Program 356 750
June 26 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 521
June 23 Provincial Nominee Program 503 742
June 12 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

Eligible Occupations

Candidates invited under this category belong to specific education-related National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, including:

  • NOC 41220 – Secondary school teachers

  • NOC 41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

  • NOC 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

  • NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

  • NOC 42203 – Instructors of persons with disabilities

These roles have been prioritized due to persistent shortages in Canada’s education sector.

 See below CRS Score Distribution in the Express Entry Pool

The table below shows the distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of September 14, 2025.

CRS Score Range Number of Candidates
601–1200 220
501–600 24,870
451–500 71,427
491–500 12,341
481–490 12,555
471–480 15,569
461–470 16,158
451–460 14,804
401–450 74,178
441–450 14,719
431–440 16,312
421–430 14,822
411–420 14,714
401–410 13,611
351–400 52,883
301–350 19,978
0–300 8,074
Total 251,630

What This Draw Means

The September 17 draw represents a bigger and more inclusive round than earlier education draws:

  • Lower cutoff score: At 462, the CRS requirement is 17 points lower than the May draw, opening the door to more candidates.

  • Increased invitations: More than double the number of ITAs were issued this time, showing a stronger demand for education professionals.

  • Category focus: This is part of IRCC’s broader trend of moving away from exclusively general draws and toward targeted category-based selection.

For eligible candidates in the education sector, this is a clear signal that opportunities are expanding.

What Applicants Should Do

  • Check your CRS score: If you are in one of the eligible NOCs and have a CRS of around 460 or higher, you may be competitive in future draws.

  • Submit early: The tie-breaking rule shows that the timing of profile submission matters. Candidates with the cutoff CRS of 462 needed to have submitted before July 9, 2025.

  • Boost your profile: For those under the cutoff, improving language scores, obtaining higher education credential assessments (ECAs), or pursuing provincial nominations can help.

  • Monitor draw trends: Category-based draws are becoming more frequent, and future rounds may continue to favour education professionals.

Conclusion

The September 17, 2025 Express Entry draw is a positive development for teachers, early childhood educators, and other education professionals seeking permanent residence in Canada. With a lower CRS threshold and more invitations than previous education draws, IRCC is clearly signaling the importance of this sector to Canada’s future.

Eligible candidates should take advantage of this opportunity by ensuring their profiles are up to date and competitive for the next rounds.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

September 16, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Alberta has received a major boost to its immigration capacity for 2025. The federal government has granted the province an additional 1,528 nominations under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), raising the total allocation to 6,403.

The move comes as Alberta faces pressing demand for skilled workers across healthcare, technology, and agriculture. Previously, the province’s cap was 4,875 nominations, with nearly 3,750 already issued by early September. The increase represents a 31% jump, giving Alberta more flexibility to meet labour market needs and ease pressure on popular program streams.

Provincial officials welcomed the expansion, noting that Alberta’s economic growth depends on attracting and retaining skilled talent. The additional spaces are expected to create new opportunities for both workers and employers across the province.

Key Takeaways from Alberta’s Nomination Boost

  • Total 2025 allocation raised to 6,403 nominations (up from 4,875).

  • Additional 1,528 spaces granted by IRCC — a 31% increase.

  • 3,749 nominations already issued as of September 11.

  • More opportunities for skilled workers in high-demand sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and tech.

  • Greater chances of selection in AAIP streams such as the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal, and Express Entry pathways.

  • Stream-by-stream breakdowns coming soon from the Alberta government.

  • Signals stronger federal-provincial cooperation to meet labour shortages.

For applicants, this means a greater chance of nomination through AAIP streams. While competition remains strong, the larger cap could translate into more draws and potentially lower selection thresholds for eligible candidates.

The province has not yet released details on how the new nominations will be divided among its streams, but updates are expected soon. In the meantime, prospective applicants are encouraged to keep profiles active and ensure they meet Alberta’s program priorities.

This expanded allocation underscores a broader trend: federal and provincial governments are adapting immigration pathways to respond quickly to economic needs. For Alberta, the increased nomination spaces are not just about numbers; they’re about securing the right skills to sustain growth and strengthen communities.

If you’re considering applying through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, our team can guide you through every step — from eligibility checks to application success — so you don’t miss out on these new opportunities. Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

September 16, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its latest round of invitations under the Express Entry system. The draw, held on September 15, 2025, was focused exclusively on candidates who had secured a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination.

See below key results of Express Entry Draw #366

  • Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

  • Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 228

  • Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required: 746

  • Tie-breaking rule: Applied to profiles submitted before March 31, 2025

The relatively small number of invitations and the high CRS threshold reflect the competitive nature of PNP-specific draws. Because a provincial nomination automatically provides an additional 600 CRS points, scores in these rounds are typically much higher than in other categories.

What This Draw Means for Applicants

  1. High CRS Cut-offs Continue
    With a required CRS of 746, only candidates with a nomination and strong underlying profiles were invited. This highlights the advantage of securing a PNP nomination, but also shows that competition remains intense.

  2. Smaller Pool of Invitations
    Just 228 invitations were issued in this round, significantly fewer than in recent general or category-based draws. This trend indicates IRCC’s ongoing focus on targeted immigration streams rather than large all-program draws.

  3. Timing Matters
    The tie-breaking rule shows the importance of submitting an Express Entry profile as early as possible. Even candidates with the same score may miss out if their profiles are entered after the cut-off date.

How This Compares to Previous Draws

Earlier this month, on September 2, 2025, a similar PNP-specific draw invited 249 candidates with a higher CRS cut-off of 772. By contrast, category-based draws for French-speaking candidates and certain occupations have seen much lower CRS thresholds, sometimes below 500.

This contrast underscores how CRS requirements fluctuate depending on the draw type. PNP candidates face consistently high cut-offs, while category-based draws open doors for skilled workers in targeted sectors.

See below summary of Express Draws in 2025

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Cut-off CRS score
September 5 Provincial Nominee Program 228 746
September 4 French language proficiency 4,500 446
September 3 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
September 2 Provincial Nominee Program 249 772
August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
August 18 Provincial Nominee Program 192 800
August 8 French language proficiency 2,500 481
August 7 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 534
August 6 Provincial Nominee Program 225 739
July 22 Healthcare and social services 4,000 475
July 21 Provincial Nominee Program 202 788
July 8 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 518
July 7 Provincial Nominee Program 356 750
June 26 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 521
June 23 Provincial Nominee Program 503 742
June 12 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 529
June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
June 4 Healthcare and social services 500 504
June 2 Provincial Nominee Program 277 726
May 13 Canadian Experience Class 500 547
May 12 Provincial Nominee Program 511 706
May 2 Healthcare and social services 500 510
May 1 Education 1,000 479
April 28 Provincial Nominee Program 421 727
April 14 Provincial Nominee Program 825 764
March 21 French language proficiency 7,500 379
March 17 Provincial Nominee Program 536 736
March 6 French language proficiency 4,500 410
March 3 Provincial Nominee Program 725 667
February 19 French language proficiency 6,500 428
February 17 Provincial Nominee Program 646 750
February 5 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 521
February 4 Provincial Nominee Program 455 802
January 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 527
January 8 Canadian Experience Class 1,350 542
January 7 Provincial Nominee Program 471 793

Looking Ahead

As 2025 progresses, IRCC appears to be prioritizing targeted draws over broad, all-program rounds. This aligns with Canada’s strategy to attract immigrants with specific skills, language abilities, or regional ties.

Applicants should pay close attention to:

  • Upcoming all-program draws, which remain less frequent this year.

  • Provincial nomination opportunities, since PNPs remain one of the most reliable ways to secure an invitation.

  • Category-based selection trends, particularly for healthcare workers, STEM professionals, and French speakers.

Conclusion

Canada’s latest Express Entry draw once again highlights the critical role of the Provincial Nominee Program in securing permanent residency. While competition is fierce and CRS cut-offs remain high, candidates who secure a nomination and submit their profiles early stand the best chance of success.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

September 15, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

Alberta is stepping up its search for skilled workers this September, between September 2 and September 10, the province held seven separate draws sending out 1,376 invitations in just one week through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. The province focused on key areas like healthcare, farming, construction, and aviation showing a clear push to bring in people who can help fill jobs that are urgently needed across the province.

See below breakdown by Sector, Score, and Invitations

Draw date Stream Number of invitations issued Cut-off score
September 10, 2025 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Aviation) 30 50
September 9, 2025 Alberta Express Entry – Priority Sectors (Health Care) 70 64
September 8, 2025 Alberta Express Entry – Priority Sectors (Construction) 121 61
September 5, 2025 Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Agriculture) 71 48
September 4, 2025 Alberta Opportunity Stream 891 56
September 3, 2025 Dedicated Health Care Pathway (non-Express Entry) 67 44
September 2, 2025 Dedicated Health Care Pathway (Express Entry) 126 49

What This Means for Workers and Applicants

  1. Focus on high-demand jobs
    Alberta is making it clear that it needs workers in certain industries especially healthcare. This creates strong opportunities for people with training and experience in those areas.

  2. Lower score requirements
    Some of the draws had relatively low score cut-offs, meaning applicants didn’t need very high ranking points to receive an invitation. This is good news for those who may not score high in the federal system but still have skills Alberta needs.

  3. Opportunities for current residents
    The large draw through the Alberta Opportunity Stream shows the province also wants to keep workers who are already contributing to its economy.

Why Alberta Is Doing This

Alberta continues to face worker shortages in many essential industries. By inviting candidates through targeted draws, the province is making sure newcomers have the right skills to fill gaps quickly. With a nomination from Alberta, successful applicants can move closer to permanent residency in Canada, offering both stability for families and growth for the province’s workforce.

As of September 11, Alberta has released the following figures for these streams:

Stream 2025 nomination allocation Nominations issued thus far Nominations still to be issued (2025) Number of EOIs in the candidate pool
Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors 405 348 57 4,619
Dedicated Health Care Pathways (Express Entry and non-Express Entry) 500 353 147 1,633
Alberta Opportunity Stream 2,592 2,016 579 41,848

The AAIP has not broken down its nomination numbers by specific priority sectors within the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Likewise, the province has not separated figures for the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, instead combining nominations for both Express Entry and non-Express Entry candidates. Detailed data for these individual streams has not been made available.

For 2025, Alberta’s total AAIP nomination allocation stands at 4,875. By September 11, the province had already used 3,749 spaces, leaving 1,126 nominations still available for the remainder of the year. At the same time, Alberta reported that 1,768 applications were waiting to be processed, showing continued high demand for provincial nominations.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

The recent draws show Alberta’s proactive approach to immigration:  Whether you are in healthcare, farming, construction, aviation, or already working in Alberta, now may be an excellent time to explore opportunities through the AAIP.

Do you need assistance with setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

September 15, 2025

Dear future neighbour,

On September 12, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador held a large selection round under its provincial immigration programs issuing 353 invitations. The draw focused on two main streams:

Program Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued
NLPNP (Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program) 218
AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program) 135

This marks one of the bigger draws this year, especially notable for the larger-than-usual number of AIP invitations.

To put this into perspective:

  • Earlier draws tended to issue fewer AIP invitations. For example, on August 29, the province issued 77 AIP invites.
  • The NLPNP has been more steady, with many earlier draws issuing 200–350 NLPNP invitations.
  • The total number of invitations issued so far in 2025 (up to and including this September 12 draw) stands at:
    • 2,018 via NLPNP
    • 586 via AIP
  • Also of note: Newfoundland & Labrador’s total nomination allocation was increased this year. It has more spaces than previously negotiated, an adjustment that allows for more invitations to be issued.

Why this matters

There are several implications and insights from this draw:

  1. Greater emphasis on employer-driven immigration: The spike in AIP invitations suggests Newfoundland and Labrador is responding to more immediate labour market needs. Since the AIP requires a job offer and is more directly linked to employer demand, issuing more AIP invites is a signal that employers’ hiring needs are strong.
  2. Balancing longer-term planning with urgent needs: NLPNP draws tend to be more about matching broader economic goals (skills, sectors, long-term labour shortages), while AIP can react more quickly to specific employer demands. The mixed draw suggests the province is trying to balance both.
  3. More opportunities for candidates: For people interested in immigrating under either stream, this draw increases chances. Especially for those with a job offer, the AIP route may now be more accessible. Likewise, EOI (Expression of Interest) candidates for NLPNP will want to align their profiles with the priority sectors.

What applicants should know & prepare

If you’re considering applying, or have already expressed interest, here are some take-aways:

  • Ensure you have a complete EOI profile under NLPNP: since February 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
  • If applying under AIP, you generally need a job offer from a designated employer. Also, you may need a settlement plan, language and education/work experience requirements.
  • Watch what occupations/sectors are in demand. The province’s labour market priorities are dynamic. Having skills in sectors like healthcare, ICT, aquaculture, etc., may help.
  • Monitor draw-timing and size: draws seem fairly regular and growing in size, especially for AIP. Knowing when draws happen and the scale gives you insight into how competitive things may be.

Priority Sectors / Occupations in NLPNP

As of the most recent draws, NLPNP is emphasising certain sectors that are high-priority for the province.

The key priority sectors are:

  • Healthcare

  • Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

  • Aquaculture

Some of the specific in-demand occupations listed under these sectors include (but are not limited to)

  • In Healthcare: physicians (various specialities), nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, personal care attendants, psychologists, radiation therapists, etc.

  • In Aquaculture / Fisheries: facility technicians, cage site technicians, site managers, feeding/farming managers, etc.

  • In Tech: software developers, web developers, infrastructure engineers, UI/UX developers, Python developers, etc.

These lists may change over time with the labour market. Before applying, you should check the current priority occupations on the NL government website.

Eligibility Criteria for NLPNP

Here are the general eligibility requirements for the NLPNP, and then some of the specific stream-by-stream criteria.

General Requirements

  • Age: Applicants are usually required to be between 21 and 59 years old.

  • Expression of Interest (EOI) system: You must submit an EOI and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA).

  • Language proficiency: Usually in English or French, demonstrated via a recognized test. Specific CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) levels vary by stream and job/occupation.

  • Job offer: Most streams require a full-time job offer from an eligible NL employer; permanent or long-term. Some streams—like Priority Skills NL—may have more flexibility depending on whether the occupation is in demand.

  • Education / Credentials: Post-secondary or trade credentials or equivalent for many skilled jobs; credential assessments may be required if foreign credentials.

  • Work experience: Relevant work experience in the occupation, sometimes minimum number of years.

  • Settlement funds: Enough money to settle you and dependents in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Stream-Specific Requirements

Below are some of the criteria by NLPNP stream.

Stream Key Additional / Specific Requirements
Express Entry Skilled Worker Must have an active Express Entry profile at federal level. Job offer in NL in a skilled occupation. Meet the NLPNP points grid (e.g. ~67/100) in many cases. Credentials, work experience, language proficiency etc.
Skilled Worker Category Full-time, permanent job offer required. Must have necessary qualifications, training or licences for the job. Relevant job experience. Language minimums.
International Graduate Category Graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution; usually must hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit; job offer from eligible employer; often must have completed full-time studies and meet work experience / credential requirements.
Priority Skills NL For candidates in high-demand occupations (healthcare, tech, aquaculture, etc.). Requirements include 1 year of work experience in such occupations, or a recent advanced degree (e.g. master’s or PhD) from Memorial University (within recent years). Minimum CLB level (generally CLB 5) or higher. Must score sufficiently in the EOI questionnaire.
Entrepreneur / International Entrepreneur / Graduate Entrepreneur Higher financial / investment requirements; business plan; ownership stake; past business experience; create jobs locally; age limits; language; intention to settle and run business.

Eligibility Criteria for AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program) in NL

The AIP requirements are federal + provincial in nature. Here are the relevant criteria:

  • A valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces (NL included). The employer must be “designated” under the AIP.

  • The job offer must correspond to a National Occupational Classification (NOC) / TEER category that is acceptable under AIP (usually TEER 0-5 depending on the subcategory).

  • Education: Must meet the educational level required for the job offer. If foreign credentials are used, they must be assessed/validated.

  • Language ability: Must meet minimum language levels (in English or French) depending on the job’s TEER classification. Tests need to be from designated testing institutions, valid, etc.

  • Work experience: Usually you need a certain number of hours (for example ~1,560 hours in the last 5 years) unless you are exempt (e.g. international graduate).

  • Settlement plan: You must have a plan (and sometimes proof) of how you and your family will settle in the province. This includes things like housing, finances, etc. NL requires an endorsed settlement plan.

  • Proof of funds: Enough money to support yourself and dependents until you are established.

Conclusion

The September 12 draw was significant in Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2025 immigration landscape. The number of invitations, especially via the Atlantic Immigration Program, is among the highest this year. For prospective immigrants, this is a positive sign of growing opportunities, particularly for those with employer support. The province appears to be flexibly using both NLPNP and AIP to meet both strategic and immediate economic needs.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com