IRCC Issues More Invitations for PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to prioritize skilled workers through the Express Entry system, with a strong focus on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. In the most recent draw held on August 18, 2025, IRCC issued 192 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with provincial nominations.

This development highlights Canada’s ongoing commitment to address regional labor market needs by encouraging skilled professionals to settle in provinces that require their expertise.

Key Highlights of the August 18, 2025 PNP Draw

• Number of ITAs issued: 192

• Minimum CRS score required: 800

• Profile submission deadline: Before February 11, 2025, at 7:17 p.m. UTC

This draw marks the fourth Express Entry draw in August and also represents one of the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-offs this year. The only higher cut-off in 2025 was 802 points during the February 4 PNP draw.

Summary of 2025 Express Entry Draws

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued over 53,000 ITAs, covering multiple categories such as:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 15 draws

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 8 draws

• French Language Proficiency: 4 draws

• Healthcare and Social Services: 4 draws

• Education Category: 1 draw

This balanced approach shows Canada’s emphasis on not just economic needs but also on linguistic diversity, healthcare workforce gaps, and international graduates.

Why the PNP Pathway is Important

The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian provinces and territories to select skilled workers who can fill critical shortages in their regions. By receiving a provincial nomination, candidates get an additional 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an ITA.

Real-Life Use Case:

For example, consider Ravi, an IT professional from India with a CRS score of 420. Despite having strong work experience, his chances in the general pool were low. However, after receiving a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan, his score increased to 1,020, securing him an ITA in the very next draw.

This demonstrates how PNPs serve as a powerful pathway for candidates struggling with low CRS scores in the federal pool.

New Medical Exam Requirement for Express Entry Applicants

Starting August 21, 2025, IRCC introduced a major change: Express Entry candidates must now complete an upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME) before submitting their permanent residence (PR) application—unless they meet certain exemptions.

Exemptions Apply If:

• You completed an IME in the last 5 years.

• Your previous IME showed low or no health risk.

• You already live in Canada.

This new rule is intended to streamline processing times and reduce delays caused by medical assessments after application submission.

Real-Life Use Case:

Maria, a nurse from the Philippines, recently received an ITA under the Healthcare category. Under the new rule, she must complete her medical exam before submitting her PR application. Since she had an IME three years ago while on a work permit, she qualifies for the exemption and can reuse her earlier medical report. This saves her both time and additional costs.

Impact of Healthcare and Social Services Category Draws

In another significant update, on August 19, 2025, IRCC issued 2,500 ITAs in the Healthcare and Social Services category with a CRS cut-off of 470.

This is especially encouraging for candidates in occupations such as:

• Nurses

• Social workers

• Caregivers

• Medical technicians

By lowering CRS cut-offs compared to PNP draws, IRCC ensures that more healthcare workers—who are in urgent demand across Canada—can secure permanent residence.

What This Means for Future Applicants

• High CRS scores remain a challenge for those relying solely on the Federal Skilled Worker stream.

• PNP nominations are increasingly becoming the most reliable pathway for securing PR.

• Healthcare and priority occupation draws offer new opportunities to professionals in essential fields.

• French-speaking candidates also continue to benefit from category-based draws with lower CRS thresholds.

Conclusion

The latest Express Entry updates demonstrate Canada’s strategic approach to immigration—balancing regional labor needs, healthcare shortages, and linguistic diversity.

For aspiring immigrants, the best strategy in 2025 is to explore multiple pathways, including:

• Applying for Provincial Nominee Programs

• Targeting category-based draws (healthcare, education, trades, French language)

• Maintaining an active and updated Express Entry profile

If you are planning your Canadian immigration journey, staying informed about these changes and aligning your profile with Canada’s evolving priorities can significantly improve your chances of success.