Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 15, 2025, issuing 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The draw recorded a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 731, reflecting the additional points awarded to candidates with a provincial nomination.
This PNP-specific round formed part of IRCC’s active December Express Entry schedule, which has included multiple draws across Canadian Experience Class and category-based streams as Canada works toward its annual immigration targets.
Details of the Draw #386
The December 15 draw targeted candidates who had already secured a nomination from a Canadian province or territory. Key details of the round include:
Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Date of draw: December 15, 2025
Number of ITAs issued: 399
Minimum CRS score: 731
Tie-breaking rule: Profiles submitted before October 18, 2025 at 07:18:52 UTC
As with all Express Entry rounds, candidates were ranked based on their CRS scores, with the tie-breaking rule applied where multiple candidates shared the same score.
Overview of the Draw
PNP-only Express Entry draws are designed to invite candidates who have been nominated by provinces based on regional labour market needs.
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s profile, which significantly increases the likelihood of receiving an invitation when IRCC conducts PNP-specific rounds.
This draw focused exclusively on nominees, rather than general Express Entry candidates, allowing IRCC to support provincial immigration objectives while maintaining alignment with federal selection standards. The relatively high CRS cut-off is typical of PNP draws due to the additional points awarded for nominations.
PNP draws are generally smaller in size compared to Canadian Experience Class rounds, reflecting the limited number of nominations issued by provinces each year.
Role of the Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program plays a key role in Canada’s immigration system by enabling provinces and territories to select candidates who meet specific regional economic and workforce needs.
Provinces nominate candidates through their own immigration streams, often targeting occupations facing shortages in areas such as healthcare, construction, technology, transportation, and skilled trades.
Once nominated, candidates can enter or update their Express Entry profiles and become eligible for PNP-only federal draws. This system allows provinces greater control over immigrant selection while ensuring applicants meet federal eligibility requirements.
What This Means for Candidates
For Express Entry candidates, the December 15 draw highlights the continued importance of provincial nomination pathways.
Candidates with nominations remain well positioned to receive invitations despite high CRS cut-offs, while those without nominations may consider exploring provincial programs as an alternative route to permanent residence.
The draw also underscores the importance of timely profile submission, as the tie-breaking rule continues to affect candidates with identical CRS scores.
IRCC is expected to continue conducting a mix of PNP, Canadian Experience Class, and category-based Express Entry draws as it moves into early 2026.