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
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Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
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Number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs): 228
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Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required: 746
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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
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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. -
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. -
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:
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Upcoming all-program draws, which remain less frequent this year.
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Provincial nomination opportunities, since PNPs remain one of the most reliable ways to secure an invitation.
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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