Express Entry Issues ITAs to PNP Candidates for Second Straight Week as IRCC Pushes Year-End Momentum

Dec 16, 2025
4 min read

By Vikrant Singh, December 16, 2025

Canada’s Express Entry system is closing out the year with remarkable activity, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts another targeted draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates—its second in as many weeks.

In the latest round, IRCC issued 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to PNP candidates already nominated by a province or territory. These candidates are among the highest-ranked in the Express Entry pool, and as expected, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was high—731.

To be considered, candidates needed to have an Express Entry profile submitted before 7:18 a.m. UTC on October 18, 2025, along with an active provincial nomination.

This draw underscores the federal government’s continued focus on supporting provincial labour market needs, even as overall immigration levels are being strategically managed.

A Busy December: Fourth Express Entry Draw This Month

Today’s draw marks the fourth Express Entry round in December, following:

December 11: Healthcare and social services draw
December 10: Largest CEC draw in 16 months (6,000 ITAs, CRS 520)
December 8: Largest PNP draw of 2025 (1,123 ITAs, CRS 729)

With back-to-back draws across categories, IRCC is clearly accelerating invitations as the year wraps up.

Express Entry: Summary of All Draws in 2025

Below is a concise snapshot of every Express Entry draw in 2025—a year dominated by PNP and category-based selection.

Express Entry Draws in 2025 (Chronological Summary)

(A selection of key draws is highlighted below)

Date	Draw Type	ITAs Issued	CRS Cut-Off
December 10	Canadian Experience Class	6,000	520
December 8	Provincial Nominee Program	1,123	729
November 28	French language proficiency	6,000	408
November 25	CEC	1,000	531
November 25	PNP	777	699
November 14	Healthcare & social services	3,500	462
November 10	PNP	714	738
October 29	French language proficiency	6,000	416
October 27	PNP	302	761
September 29	PNP	291	855
September 18	Trade	1,250	505
September 17	Education	2,500	462
August 18	PNP	192	800
July 22	Healthcare & social services	4,000	475
July 8	CEC	3,000	518
June 26	CEC	3,000	521
June 12	CEC	3,000	529
May 12	PNP	511	706
May 1	Education	1,000	479
April 14	PNP	825	764
March 21	French language proficiency	7,500	379
March 6	French language proficiency	4,500	410
February 17	PNP	646	750
January 23	CEC	4,000	527
January 7	PNP	471	793

This extensive year of draws highlights Canada's evolving approach to targeted immigration—balancing general skills, provincial needs, and occupation-specific shortages.

2025: A Record-Breaking Year for Category-Based Selection

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 106,998 ITAs—one of the highest annual totals under the category-based selection model. Most invitations were directed toward:

French speakers
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates
Healthcare and social services workers
Provincial Nominee Program candidates

Number of Draws by Category in 2025

Draw Type	Number of Draws
Provincial Nominee Program	23
Canadian Experience Class	14
French-language Proficiency	8
Healthcare & Social Services	6
Education	2
Trade	1

ITAs by Category in 2025

Draw Type	ITAs Issued
French	42,000
Canadian Experience Class	30,850
Healthcare & Social Services	13,500
Provincial Nominee Program	9,775
Education	3,500
Trade	1,250

These numbers clearly show that French speakers and CEC candidates dominated 2025, and the PNP remained a consistent pillar of Canada’s permanent residency strategy.

What This Draw Means for Future Applicants

This latest PNP-specific draw reflects several key immigration trends:

1. PNPs remain central to Canada’s immigration strategy

Canada continues to rely heavily on provincial programs to fulfill regional labour market shortages.

2. High CRS cut-offs for PNP candidates

A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, so PNP draws typically have higher CRS thresholds.

3. Category-based selection is here to stay

French, CEC, healthcare, education, and trades will continue to dominate future invitation rounds.

4. Year-end surge possible

Given IRCC’s increased activity, more draws could occur before the year closes.

Canada’s Express Entry System: A Dynamic Year Ahead

With nearly 107,000 ITAs issued and the Expanded Category-Based Selection model fully in motion, 2025 has proven to be a transformational year for Express Entry.

PNP candidates continue to benefit from priority selection, and today’s draw reinforces IRCC’s consistent support for provincial immigration streams. As Canada continues adjusting its policies to meet economic and demographic needs, applicants should expect more targeted draws, higher CRS competitiveness, and continued preference for in-demand skills.

Book free consultation

Weabide immigration services pvt. ltd. is the best immigration consultant in India with a team of highly experienced case managers who have a decade of work experience in the immigration process. We understand the complexities of immigration procedures and the importance of having a knowledgeable and experienced team by your side.

Here are some of the reasons why WeAbide® stands out:

We are committed to providing top-notch services that prioritize your satisfaction. Our case managers are well-versed in the intricacies of immigration regulations and stay up to date with the latest changes in immigration policies. With their extensive knowledge, they can effectively handle your case, ensuring all necessary documents are prepared accurately and submitted on time.
We take pride in providing personalized attention to each client. We understand that every immigration case is unique, and our case managers are dedicated to understanding your specific requirements and tailoring their services accordingly. By choosing WeAbide®, you can rest assured that your immigration process will be handled with utmost professionalism and attention to detail.
We are the leading immigration consultant in India. We have a proven track record of success, and we have helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in Canada.