PNP

A look back at last month's Provincial Nominee Program updates and draw results from across the country.

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) issued nearly 5,000 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in March, a number similar to previous months.

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) issued over 1,400 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in May.

Canada is increasing the number of economic immigrants it welcomes through provincial nominee programs.

Immigration ministers from across Canada met in New Brunswick to identify how to best achieve the country's immigration goals.

The Forum of Ministers Responsible (FMRI) for Immigration met in Saint John, New Brunswick on July 28 to discuss a host of major immigration policy issues.

Canada held another Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on November 26, issuing 1,000 invitations to apply through the Express Entry system. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 531 and had to submit their Express Entry profile before October 8, 2025.

The benefits of applying to both

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 6,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a new Express Entry draw for candidates with French language proficiency. This is the second-lowest CRS cut-off of the year.

In 2023, a review of Canada's Express Entry system by Statistics Canada revealed that young professionals under 40, especially those in high-demand occupations, had a higher chance of selection. This system includes the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Programs.

Moving to Canada is an often-cited exit strategy in an increasingly politically divided U.S.A.— how often does it happen?

The federal government’s decision to slash provincial nominee program (PNP) quotas by 50% for 2025 has drawn sharp criticism from provinces, warning of severe economic impacts. Provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Yukon highlight labor shortages, reduced economic growth, and limited autonomy as key concerns.

Many newcomers start in Toronto, Montréal, or Vancouver, but other cities offer strong livability with clearer pathways to work, study, and permanent residence. Below is a clean, high-level overview of eight strong options, with province clearly indicated.

Last year, PNPs across Canada “invited a total of 83,500 new permanent residents (PRs) to Canada.”

Canada has held its fifth PNP-only Express Entry draw of the year.

Canada has now held six PNP draws in 2022.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only invited Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in the new invitation round. To be invited, candidates needed to have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of at least 754. The minimum score was relatively high because PNP candidates get an automatic 600 points added to their score when they receive their nomination. Without the nomination, the lowest-scoring candidates would have had 154 base points.

On July 22, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a category-based Express Entry draw targeting healthcare and social services occupations. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 475, marking a significant 29-point drop compared to the previous healthcare draw on June 4, 2025.

Canada has issued 6,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the first category-based draw of 2025, targeting French-speaking candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 428, which is 38 points lower than the last draw in this category in December 2024. This was the seventh Express Entry draw of 2025.

Canada has held its first Express Entry draw under a new category for physicians with Canadian work experience, and the score requirement fell to one of the lowest levels ever recorded.

Canada's Express Entry system saw significant shifts in 2024, setting the stage for an even more selective process. The year began with a mix of general and category-based draws, but by mid-year, the focus shifted heavily toward specific groups like Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants, and French-speaking individuals. This shift led to fluctuating CRS cut-offs and more targeted invitations.

Despite record-high PNP draws in the first three months of 2022, Canada has only invited 6,488 Express Entry candidates so far this year.

Canada has been playing catch-up this past quarter, resulting in a relatively slow start to the year for Express Entry.

Canada’s Express Entry system saw a sharp slowdown in April, issuing just 1,246 invitations across two Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws — a steep drop from over 13,000 in March. Despite earlier promises to prioritize Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, none have been invited since February.