Canada has conducted another Express Entry draw, inviting 192 foreign candidates to apply for permanent residency (PR) through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The latest draw, held on August 18, 2025, saw one of the year’s highest cut-off scores.

To qualify for this round, candidates needed:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 800
• An Express Entry profile submitted before 7:17 p.m. UTC on February 11, 2025

What is Canada Express Entry?

The Express Entry system is Canada’s primary pathway for skilled immigrants who want to obtain permanent residency. Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the system processes applications under three main programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria create an online profile and are placed into the Express Entry pool. They are then ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Those with the highest scores receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in regular draws.

How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Works

The PNP allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate skilled workers who meet their local labour market demands.

• A provincial nomination grants candidates an extra 600 CRS points, practically guaranteeing them an invitation in the next draw.
• Provinces can run their own unique immigration streams, some of which are directly tied to the Express Entry system.
• Applicants benefit from tailored immigration pathways, and in some cases, faster processing compared to other immigration routes.
• Successful nominees also have the opportunity to settle in cities and communities outside major metro hubs.

Note: Quebec does not participate in the federal PNP. It has its own selection process for economic migrants.

Recent Express Entry Draws – August 2025

Canada has held four Express Entry draws in August 2025 alone. Here’s how they stacked up:

• August 18 – PNP-specific draw → 192 invitations, CRS cut-off: 800
• August 8 – French-language proficiency → 2,500 invitations, CRS cut-off: 481
• August 7 – CEC draw → 1,000 invitations, CRS cut-off: 534
• August 6 – PNP draw → 225 invitations, CRS cut-off: 739

At 800 points, the August 18 draw was the second-highest CRS cut-off of the year (the top spot remains at 802, set in February 2025 during another PNP draw).

Express Entry in 2025: Year-to-Date Trends

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 53,320 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system.

Breakdown of ITAs issued by category in 2025:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 15 draws
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 8 draws
• French-language proficiency: 4 draws
• Healthcare & social services: 3 draws
• Education-focused draw: 1 draw

The majority of invitations this year have gone to PNP candidates, reflecting Canada’s continued focus on addressing regional labour shortages.

Key Takeaway

The latest PNP-targeted Express Entry draw shows just how competitive the process remains in 2025, with CRS scores hitting a high of 800. For candidates, obtaining a provincial nomination remains the most reliable path, adding 600 points and virtually guaranteeing an ITA.

With over 53,000 candidates already invited this year, Express Entry continues to be the fastest and most efficient route to Canadian PR for skilled professionals worldwide.

If Canada is on your radar, now is the time to explore PNP-linked streams and strengthen your CRS profile to stay competitive.