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Canada Holds Third Express Entry Draw of March, Invites 536 PNP Candidates

Canada Holds Third Express Entry Draw of March, Invites 536 PNP Candidates

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    Canada Holds Third Express Entry Draw of March, Invites 536 PNP Candidates

    In a significant development for Canadian immigration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its third Express Entry draw of the month on March 17, 2025. The latest draw focused on candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing a total of 536 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Candidates needed to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 736 to be considered.
    This draw reflects Canada’s ongoing strategy to align immigration with labor market needs and meet regional workforce demands through targeted PNP invitations. The latest draw adds to a busy start to the year for Express Entry, with multiple large-scale draws held across different categories, including French-language proficiency and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
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    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    • Number of ITAs: 536
    • Date and time of round: March 17, 2025 at 15:33:36 UTC
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 736
    • Tie-breaking rule: March 12, 2025 at 14:02:14 UTC
    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

    Invitations to apply to the Provincial Nominee Program may be issued through this round of invitations.

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    Details of the March 17 Draw

    The Express Entry draw on March 17 invited 536 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To qualify, candidates needed to meet the following criteria:

    • Minimum CRS score of 736
    • An active Express Entry profile was created before 2:02 pm (UTC) on March 12, 2025
    Candidates who receive a provincial nomination under the PNP category are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly increases their chances of receiving an ITA in an Express Entry draw.

    The March 17 draw follows two earlier Express Entry draws in March:

    • March 6: 4,500 candidates were invited in a French-language proficiency draw with a CRS cut-off of 410.
    • March 3: 725 candidates were invited in a PNP draw with a CRS cut-off of 667.

    Breakdown of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Canada has maintained an active immigration strategy throughout 2025, with multiple Express Entry draws conducted across different categories. Below is a summary of the draws held so far:

    Additionally, Provincial Nominee Program candidates may receive an “enhanced nomination” through Express Entry, amplifying their CRS scores and improving their chances of selection.

    Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with provincial nominations receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

    Summary Of Express Entry Draws In 2025

    Below is a summary of Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2025: 10 draws held, with 23,183 ITAs issued

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : 9,350
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 2833
    • French language proficiency: 11,000
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    340 March 17 PNP 536 736
    339 March 06 French language 4,500 410
    338 March 03 PNP 725 667
    337 February 19 French language 6,500 428
    336 February 17 PNP 646 750
    335 February 05 CEC 4,000 521
    334 February 04 PNP 455 802
    333 January 23 CEC 4,000 527
    332 January 8 CEC 1,350 542
    331 January 7 PNP 471 793

    The March 17 draw demonstrates IRCC’s focus on inviting high-scoring candidates who have already secured a provincial nomination, reinforcing the importance of regional labor market needs.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Express Entry Trends in 2025

    Express Entry draws in 2025 have shown a clear pattern of alternating between Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and French-language proficiency draws. IRCC’s approach reflects its commitment to supporting Canada’s labor market and encouraging diversity through targeted immigration streams.
    Notably, the French-language proficiency draws have been some of the largest so far this year, with the February 19 draw inviting 6,500 candidates and the March 6 draw inviting 4,500 candidates. This aligns with IRCC’s ongoing goal of strengthening the Francophone population outside Quebec.

    New Priority Categories for 2025

    On February 27, 2025, IRCC announced updates to its list of priority categories for Express Entry. These categories aim to address specific labor market shortages and boost the participation of French-speaking immigrants in the Canadian economy.

    The 2025 priority categories include:

    • French-language proficiency
    • Healthcare and social services occupations
    • Trade occupations
    • Education occupations

    The addition of education occupations to the priority list highlights Canada’s need for qualified educators and support staff in the education sector. IRCC has reaffirmed its goal of maintaining a balanced approach to immigration by targeting both skilled professionals and French-speaking candidates.

    What is Express Entry?

    Express Entry is Canada’s primary system for managing applications for economic immigration. It oversees three key federal immigration programs:

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Targets skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Targets skilled trade workers with specific qualifications.
    • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Targets skilled professionals with international work experience and educational qualifications.

    Candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is calculated based on factors such as:

    • Age
    • Education
    • Language proficiency in English and French
    • Work experience
    • Adaptability and connections to Canada

    Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through a PNP stream are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.

    Changes to CRS Scoring in 2025

    IRCC has confirmed that it plans to remove additional CRS points for job offers under arranged employment starting in Spring 2025. Currently, candidates with a valid job offer can receive an additional 50 to 200 CRS points, depending on the type of position.

    This change may shift the CRS distribution in future draws and could impact candidates relying on job offers to boost their scores.

    Why Provincial Nominations Matter

    Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are becoming increasingly important in Canada’s immigration landscape. Provinces and territories have the authority to select candidates who meet their local labor market needs. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination benefit from:
    • An additional 600 CRS points
    • Increased chances of receiving an ITA in an Express Entry draw
    • Faster processing times for permanent residency applications
    In 2025, IRCC plans to increase the number of provincial nominations issued to align with Canada’s long-term economic and demographic goals.

    Looking Ahead

    The March 17 draw underscores IRCC’s strategic approach to immigration, targeting high-scoring candidates with provincial nominations. As the year progresses, Express Entry is expected to continue focusing on labor market demands, with more targeted draws for healthcare, trade, education, and French-speaking professionals.
    For prospective immigrants, securing a provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to boost their CRS score and receive an invitation in future draws.

    With additional changes to CRS scoring on the horizon, staying updated on Express Entry trends and provincial program updates will be key to securing permanent residence in Canada.

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