In the most recent Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates seeking permanent residency in Canada.
A total of 920 ITAs were issued in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 to qualify.
This draw follows several recent program-specific draws. Just earlier this month, on June 19, IRCC invited 1,499 candidates in another PNP-only draw, requiring a minimum CRS score of 663. In a previous PNP-only draw on May 30, 2,985 candidates were invited, marking the first program-specific draw since May 10, 2023. Additionally, on May 31, 3,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited.
Program-specific draws specifically target candidates in the Express Entry pool who have applied through programs such as the CEC, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). In PNP-only draws, candidates are considered only if they have been nominated through an Express Entry-aligned stream of a PNP, known as enhanced nomination.
Previously absent since the introduction of category-based selection draws in May 2023, these draws reflect IRCC’s efforts to manage the high numbers of temporary residents in Canada. One strategy involves offering more pathways for temporary residents—those on work, study, or visitor visas—to attain permanent residency (PR). Many temporary residents apply through the CEC, leveraging their experience in Canada, while others opt for PNPs.
This approach helps IRCC meet its annual targets for “Federal High Skilled Workers” (Express Entry) as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, while also addressing the population of temporary residents in Canada.
