Canada has once again issued invitations to skilled foreign workers to apply for permanent residency (PR) under its Express Entry immigration system. The latest round of invitations focused on candidates who applied through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), one of the key pathways to Canada PR.
What Is Canada’s Express Entry System?
The Canada Express Entry program is managed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is the primary route for skilled immigrants who want to settle permanently in Canada. Through this system, candidates are selected under several categories:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Foreigners who wish to immigrate under PNP can apply to live, work, and settle in a specific Canadian province. Upon approval, they receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate, which allows them to move forward in the permanent residence process.
A permanent resident (PR) is an immigrant who has been granted Canada PR status but has not yet become a Canadian citizen.
August 18, 2025 Express Entry Draw Highlights
- Draw Number: 361
- Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Date & Time: August 18, 2025, at 15:09:26 UTC
- Invitations Issued (ITAs): 225
- Lowest CRS Score: 800
- Tie-Breaking Rule: February 11, 2025, at 19:17:09 UTC
This means that candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 800 or above were invited, provided their profile was submitted on or before the tie-breaking date.
Comparison With the Previous Draw
The last PNP-specific draw was held on August 6, 2025, where 225 candidates were also invited. Back then, the lowest CRS score was 739.
This shows an increase of 61 CRS points in the cut-off score between the two draws, reflecting a higher level of competition in the pool.
Important Update: Job Offer Points Removed
On March 25, 2025, Canada made a significant change to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) by removing points for job offers in most skill categories.
- Who still gets points?
- Candidates with job offers in Major Group 00 (Senior Management roles under the National Occupation Classification) can still earn 200 CRS points.
- Candidates with a job offer in other skilled occupations may still receive 50 CRS points.
For everyone else, having a valid job offer no longer boosts your CRS score. This policy change affects both current and future Express Entry applicants.
How to Apply for Canada PR Through PNP
If you’re considering Canada PR through the Provincial Nominee Program, here’s the process in simple steps:
- Check Eligibility: Review available PNP streams in your target province and their criteria.
- Apply to a Province: Submit your application to the province or territory of your choice.
- Get a Nomination Certificate: If approved, you receive an official nomination, which adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile.
- Receive an ITA: With the added CRS boost, you have a high chance of being selected in the next draw.
- Apply for PR: Submit your complete PR application to IRCC within the given timeline.
Final Thoughts
The latest Canada Express Entry draw (August 18, 2025) under the Provincial Nominee Program shows rising CRS cut-off scores, making the competition tougher. For skilled immigrants, securing a provincial nomination remains one of the strongest ways to guarantee an invitation for Canadian permanent residency.
If you’re planning to apply, keep a close eye on upcoming draws, stay updated on changes to CRS rules, and ensure your profile is optimized to score as high as possible.
