OTTAWA TARGETED PNP CANDIDATES IN THE NEW EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW

On July 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry draw #356, focusing exclusively on candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 356 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in this round, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to regional economic development through targeted immigration pathways.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 788 points, marking a 38-point increase compared to the last PNP-specific round. This rise is consistent with the additional 600 points awarded to candidates who have secured a provincial nomination, making competition in PNP draws particularly high.

The tie-breaking rule for this draw was set for June 5, 2025, at 23:50:45 UTC. This mechanism is used to prioritize profiles submitted earlier when candidates share the same CRS score.

As of July 20, 2025, there were 256,914 profiles in the Express Entry pool—demonstrating the high level of interest among skilled workers worldwide. In total, Canada has issued 45,403 ITAs so far in 2025, with 6,053 of them going to PNP candidates.

This draw underscores the government's ongoing strategy to support regional labor needs by prioritizing candidates aligned with provincial goals.

If you're considering immigration to Canada and want to know how a provincial nomination can boost your chances, contact Global Opportunities for personalized support.