Express Entry Results Out: Canada Invites Skilled Workers to Apply for Residency

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the latest Express Entry draw, inviting a limited number of foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency.

On 18 August 2025, only 225 candidates with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations were invited, but the minimum CRS score needed soared to 800. This marks a significant tightening of Canada’s skilled immigration process and highlights changing priorities within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The Express Entry system manages applications for several immigration programmes designed to attract skilled workers. The PNP offers candidates a chance to settle in specific provinces, boosting their CRS score. However, recent draws indicate that even a provincial nomination is no longer a guaranteed ticket to permanent residency, as the score threshold continues to climb.

One major reason for this increase is the removal of extra CRS points for most job offers earlier this year. As of 25 March 2025, candidates no longer receive 50 additional points for job offers, except for senior management roles. This change shifts the focus towards core factors such as age, education, and language skills, rather than relying on pre-arranged employment. The government appears to favour applicants who are more adaptable and likely to integrate economically over the long term.

This policy change is reflected in recent statistics. The 18 August draw, the 361st overall, raised the CRS cut-off from 739 in the previous PNP-specific draw on 6 August to 800, despite issuing the same number of invitations. The increasing score requirement shows growing competition among candidates and the tangible effect of the new scoring system. 

For prospective immigrants, these developments mean a more selective process. While the PNP remains vital for addressing regional labour shortages, applicants must carefully review their qualifications and align their profiles with the updated criteria. Success requires not only knowledge of the process but also strategic planning to meet Canada’s evolving immigration goals.