On May 12, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new round of invitations under the Express Entry system, issuing 511 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 706, with the tie-breaking rule applied to profiles submitted before March 4, 2025, at 22:35:42 UTC.
This draw represents a significant shift from the previous PNP-specific round held on April 28, 2025, where only 421 candidates were invited and the minimum CRS score stood at 727. The lower threshold in the latest round offers broader access to Canadian permanent residency for skilled foreign nationals with provincial nominations.
The CRS is a points-based system that ranks candidates based on key human capital factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. On March 25, 2025, the IRCC implemented a notable policy change, removing points previously awarded for job offers from the CRS calculation. This change affects both existing and prospective applicants, particularly those under Major Group 00 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC)—a group that formerly benefited from an additional 200 CRS points for senior management roles and 50 points for other skilled job offers. These adjustments aim to better align the system with evolving labor market needs and regional priorities.
The Provincial Nominee Program plays a critical role in Canada’s immigration strategy, enabling provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet local labor market demands. Nominees typically possess job offers in the nominating province, have experience in in-demand occupations, or demonstrate entrepreneurial potential. A provincial nomination confers an additional 600 CRS points, significantly enhancing a candidate’s likelihood of receiving an ITA in subsequent draws.
This latest development underscores Canada’s ongoing commitment to a targeted, regionally responsive immigration system that supports economic growth and demographic sustainability.
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