PNP Express Entry Draw: 291 Invited With CRS 855 on Sept 29
New Express Entry Draw Invites 291 PNP Candidates With High CRS Scores
- IRCC issued 291 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on September 29, 2025.
- The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 855 — one of the highest this year.
- This was the 18th PNP-specific draw of the year, highlighting IRCC’s ongoing focus on provincial nominations.
- Over 65,000 ITAs have been issued through various Express Entry streams in 2025.
- The majority of ITAs in 2025 have gone to French-speaking and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates.
- PNP draws continue to play a crucial role in Canada’s immigration strategy, especially for provinces like Manitoba.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to make waves through its Express Entry system, with the latest draw issued on September 29, 2025. This round focused exclusively on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, inviting 291 individuals to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
What You Need to Know About the September 29 PNP Draw
In this PNP-specific draw, candidates needed an impressively high CRS score of at least 855 to receive an invitation. Additionally, eligible candidates were required to have submitted their Express Entry profile before 1:25 a.m. UTC on April 8, 2025.
This marks the 18th PNP draw of the year and reaffirms IRCC’s commitment to supporting provincial immigration strategies. These draws help attract skilled workers who align with the specific economic or labour needs of individual provinces.
Quick Look at Recent Express Entry Activity
September has been a busy month for Express Entry hopefuls. Here’s a glance at some of the draws that took place this month alone:
- September 29: PNP draw – 291 ITAs issued, CRS cut-off: 855
- September 18: Trade draw – 1,250 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 505
- September 17: Education draw – 2,500 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 462
- September 15: PNP draw – 228 ITAs, CRS cut-off: 746
Clearly, IRCC is ramping up its efforts to reach skilled immigrants across a variety of sectors. A special focus has been placed on candidates with experience in trades, healthcare, education, and French language proficiency.
Year-to-Date Express Entry Overview
So far in 2025, a total of 65,838 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system. Here’s how those numbers break down by program:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 18 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 9 |
| French-language proficiency | 5 |
| Healthcare and social services | 4 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
While PNP draws are leading the way in volume, candidates with French-language skills and Canadian work experience have received the bulk of invitations:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| French | 25,500 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 20,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 7,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,947 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
Why PNP Draws Matter for Canadian Immigration
PNP draws allow provinces and territories to nominate candidates who have the skills and experience needed in their local labour markets. For instance, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba PNP are among the most active in selecting candidates through Express Entry-linked streams.
These nominations can significantly boost a candidate’s CRS score—by up to 600 points—often pushing them well above the cut-off in general draws. That’s why we’re seeing such high CRS scores in PNP-specific selections like the latest one.
What This Means for You
If you’re considering immigrating to Canada, now’s a good time to evaluate your Express Entry profile—especially if you qualify under a Provincial Nominee Program. Being nominated by a province not only increases your CRS score, it also aligns you with in-demand occupations and improves your long-term success in Canada.
Applicants with strong language skills in French or English, Canadian work or study experience, and job offers also stand out under Express Entry’s various categories.
Final Thoughts
With Express Entry draws happening more frequently and across multiple streams, Canada is clearly committed to selecting immigrants who can make an immediate impact in the workforce. Provincial nominations, in particular, are proving essential in helping candidates secure permanent residency.
Whether you’re already in the Express Entry pool or just getting started, understanding how these draws work—and how to improve your CRS score—is key to navigating your path to Canada.
Want to see how your profile stacks up? Use our free assessment tool and find out if you’re a strong candidate for the next PNP or Express Entry draw!
