Canada has once again opened its doors to skilled workers by conducting an Express Entry draw exclusively for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. On March 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 536 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
To be eligible for this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 736. This high threshold reflects the additional points awarded to PNP nominees, as receiving a provincial nomination automatically boosts a candidate’s CRS score by 600 points.
The tie-breaking rule for this draw was set for March 12, 2025, at 14:02:14 UTC, meaning that if multiple candidates had the same CRS score, those who submitted their profiles earlier were prioritized for selection.
Understanding the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a key pathway for skilled workers to obtain Canadian permanent residency. Each province and territory (except Quebec) has its own PNP stream, tailored to address local labour market needs. These programs help provinces attract workers with the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications to contribute effectively to their economies.
How PNP Works
PNP operates through two main categories:
1. Express Entry-aligned streams – These are linked to the federal Express Entry system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through these streams gain an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency.
2. Non-Express Entry streams – These operate outside the Express Entry system, allowing candidates to apply directly to a province. Once nominated, they can then apply for permanent residency through IRCC.
Popular PNP Streams Across Canada
Each province has specific nomination streams that target different applicant profiles, including skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates. Some of them are:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Targets tech workers, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs.
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Focuses on high-demand occupations and business investors.
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Invites workers with job offers or experience in priority sectors.
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Includes an in-demand occupations stream for workers in key industries.
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) – Prioritizes candidates with strong connections to Manitoba, such as work experience or family ties.
What’s Next for the Selected Candidates?
Candidates who received an ITA will now have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency. This includes providing essential documents such as proof of work experience, language test results, medical exams, and police clearance certificates. Once their application is processed and approved, they will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can begin their journey toward settling in Canada.
A Look Ahead: Future Express Entry Draws
With immigration targets remaining high in 2025, more Express Entry draws are expected in the coming months. While some draws focus on specific programs like PNP, others may be general draws or category-based selections targeting in-demand occupations. Candidates in the Express Entry pool should continue improving their profiles by gaining more work experience, enhancing language scores, or securing a provincial nomination to increase their chances of receiving an ITA in future draws.
Stay tuned for more updates on Canada’s immigration pathways and upcoming Express Entry draws!
