Canada’s immigration momentum continues as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the first Express Entry draw of November 2025, issuing 714 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. The draw, held on November 10, 2025, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 738, signaling continued focus on high-ranking, provincially endorsed candidates.
This draw arrives at a pivotal moment, shortly after the federal government unveiled its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, outlining ambitious new intake targets. It reflects a growing emphasis on leveraging provincial nominations to fill critical labour shortages, strengthen regional economies, and ensure long-term demographic balance across Canada’s provinces and territories.
Details of the Draw
Date: November 10, 2025
Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Number of Invitations Issued: 714
Minimum CRS Cut off: 738
Tie-Breaking Rule: Profiles submitted before February 22, 2025, at 2:12:01 UTC were prioritized in case of score ties.
Previous Draw Comparison: The last PNP-specific draw on October 27 invited 302 candidates with a higher cutoff of 761, showing a moderate drop in score and a more inclusive selection range this round.
Overview of the Draw
The November 10 draw was strictly PNP-focused, meaning only candidates nominated by a province or territory were eligible. A provincial nomination automatically adds 600 CRS points to a candidate’s base score, pushing them well above the standard threshold and effectively guaranteeing an invitation.
IRCC’s reliance on PNP draws has grown substantially throughout 2025, with an estimated 21 PNP-specific rounds so far this year. The reason is clear: provinces are better positioned to identify skilled workers that match their local economic priorities, whether in healthcare, construction, IT, or manufacturing.
The draw also coincides with Ottawa’s strategic focus on regional immigration balance. Smaller provinces such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia have consistently used their PNP quotas to address workforce shortages and population retention challenges.
Impact on Immigration
The November draw underscores a broader policy shift: Express Entry is becoming a province-driven selection mechanism. Candidates with provincial backing now dominate the invitation pool, while those without nomination face increasing competition and uncertainty.
With the new 2026–2028 plan increasing annual PNP admissions targets by nearly 66 %, provincial nomination pathways are expected to lead the majority of skilled immigration invitations in the coming years.
For Canada, the impact is twofold: it ensures newcomers integrate where they are most needed and it helps provinces manage demographic and economic disparities more effectively. In turn, this supports long-term national goals, sustaining population growth, boosting innovation, and alleviating sectoral labour shortages.
Snapshot
As of early November 2025, over 245,000 candidates were active in the Express Entry pool, with most falling in CRS ranges between 451 and 600. PNP-based invitations, however, remain the most reliable route to permanent residence, due to their guaranteed 600-point advantage.
Throughout 2025, CRS cutoffs for PNP rounds have ranged between 727 and 764, with the latest 738 threshold sitting near the lower end, suggesting a gradual broadening of provincial selection activity.
This latest draw, therefore, is a strategic indicator. Canada’s immigration model is increasingly provincial, data-driven, and economically responsive. For prospective immigrants, it’s a reminder that opportunity lies in aligning skills with where Canada needs them most.