PNP

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.

The Canadian government is set to make the biggest reform to Express Entry since it introduced the application management system in January 2015.

IRCC has issued 345 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in the latest Express Entry draw held on October 14, 2025. The CRS cut-off score was 778, and only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before July 17, 2025 were considered.

Canada has invited 7,257 PNP candidates so far in 2022.

On April 13, Canada invited 787 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence.

IRCC invites 7,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 490. This is the first all-program draw since January 18.

ITAs issued to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 533.

Canada has announced significant changes to its Express Entry system, removing bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points previously awarded for arranged employment and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-supported job offers.

When you apply for immigration to IRCC, you usually have to pay an application fee for yourself, and any dependents coming with you to Canada such as your spouse or common-law partner, and your children. You also have to pay a right of permanent residence fee for yourself and your partner. Dependent children are exempt from this fee.

Recent federal immigration cuts are sparking concern across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, as the reduction in key programs threatens to impact labor markets, healthcare, and housing. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), crucial pathways for economic immigrants, have been slashed by 50% compared to previous years​.

On October 1, 2025, 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence. The CRS cutoff remained at 534, the same as in the CEC draws of August and September.

Canada has held its first Express Entry draw of 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The first Express Entry draw of February has issued 423 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates nominated under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Canada held its first Express Entry draw of May on the 11th, inviting 380 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum CRS score required was 798, slightly higher than the previous PNP draw held in April.

The most recent results from British Columbia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.

New Statistics Canada data shows that health-related job vacancies have more than doubled since 2016, rising from 6.5 percent of all job vacancies to 15 percent in 2024. Demand for services is increasing much faster than the supply of workers because of Canada’s aging population, higher disease burden and widespread burnout across the sector.

Canada continues to face a nationwide shortage of nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates. With demand expected to exceed supply by more than 20,000 workers over the next decade, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has prioritized these occupations for immigration.

Canada is preparing to unveil its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan in November 2025, following nationwide consultations that concluded in August. The new plan is expected to increase the country’s immigration targets, despite ongoing debates around housing, infrastructure, and population growth.

The PNP is a popular option for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada.

Starting April 6, 2023, some current and former Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders may be eligible for an 18-month Open Work Permit.

Foreign workers can work for anywhere in Canada with an open work permit.
Open work permits allow foreign workers the flexibility to choose where they work in Canada.
Oftentimes, foreign nationals who want to work in Canada need a work permit. These permits may be tied to a specific employer, or occupation. By contrast, open work permits allow for freedom of movement, whether it is between workplaces, occupations or locations in Canada.