By admin
Second Express Entry draw for PNP candidates held by IRCC
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a new set of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the Express Entry pool, with 455 ITAs granted to candidates through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw.
To be eligible for this round, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 802 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 7:39 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on December 7, 2024.
This marks the fourth ITA draw of the year, following two draws under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and another PNP draw earlier this month.
So far, 6,276 ITAs have been issued in 2025. Since mid-2024, the IRCC has focused on selecting candidates who qualify for PNP, CEC, and category-based selection, aligning with the country’s annual Immigration Levels Plan.
The aim is to meet Canada’s economic and demographic objectives, with a focus on newcomers possessing the skills needed to thrive in the Canadian job market. This year, the top priority categories under Express Entry are: Healthcare, Trades and French-language proficiency.
Express Entry Draws List of 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s primary immigration application management system, overseeing three key economic immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Eligible candidates for one of these programs can submit a profile to the Express Entry pool. Their profiles are then ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors like education, work experience, and language skills. The highest-ranked candidates are the most likely to receive an ITA.
If an ITA is issued, candidates have 60 days to submit their complete application for permanent residence (PR). The application will need additional documentation such as police clearance certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds, depending on the individual’s situation. After submission, IRCC processes the PR application within six months. If all goes well, applicants are granted PR status and must then land in Canada to finalize the process.