Latest Canada PNP Express Entry Draw Invites 1,123 Applicants
IRCC Issues 1,123 Invitations in New Express Entry PNP Draw — First Draw of December 2025
- IRCC invites 1,123 candidates in a new Express Entry draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants
- Minimum CRS score required: 729
- Applicants needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before March 5, 2025
- PNP-focused draws continue to dominate Express Entry in 2025
- Total Express Entry ITAs issued in 2025 so far: 95,599
- French-speaking and Canadian Experience Class candidates also see strong representation
IRCC Kicks Off December with a PNP-Focused Express Entry Draw
The first Express Entry draw of December 2025 is here, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again turned its attention to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. In this latest round, 1,123 hopeful immigrants received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence.
To be included in this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 729. Additionally, their Express Entry profiles had to be submitted before 5:10 a.m. UTC on March 5, 2025.
This draw continues IRCC’s ongoing trend in 2025 of heavily prioritizing candidates with provincial nominations — a key pathway that aligns federal immigration with the needs of individual provinces and territories.
The Momentum of PNP Draws in 2025
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 95,599 ITAs across multiple Express Entry categories. Among those, Provincial Nominee Program draws have been the most common, accounting for 22 separate draws this year.
PNPs provide a major advantage to candidates, as a provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score — significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA. If you’re interested in this pathway, check out our Manitoba PNP points calculator to see how you might qualify.
How Does This Draw Compare?
Let’s take a quick look at how this latest PNP draw stacks up compared to others from recent weeks:
- November 25: 777 ITAs issued in a PNP draw with a 699 CRS cut-off
- November 10: 714 ITAs, minimum CRS of 738
- October 27: 302 ITAs with a 761 CRS cut-off
With a CRS cut-off of 729, the December 2025 draw sits right in the middle of this recent range — showing that competition remains high among PNP candidates.
Express Entry Trends: Which Streams Are Leading?
IRCC has been using category-based selection more actively in 2025, targeting specific profiles that align with Canada’s economic needs. Here’s a breakdown of the number of draws by category this year:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 22 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 13 |
| French-language proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare and social services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
While PNP draws lead in frequency, it’s the French-language proficiency category that has seen the highest number of ITAs issued. Here’s how the numbers break down by stream:
| Draw Type | ITAs Issued to Date |
|---|---|
| French | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 24,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,376 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
This distribution highlights the Canadian government’s focus on addressing specific labour shortages — especially in bilingualism, healthcare, and skilled trades.
What This Means for You
If you’re eyeing permanent residency in Canada, this draw is yet another reminder of how valuable a provincial nomination can be. With CRS scores trending high in PNP draws, getting nominated by a province not only boosts your profile, but also opens a clearer path to receiving an ITA.
Even if you’re not in the PNP stream, there are still great opportunities through other categories like the Canadian Experience Class or French-language draws. Each stream serves a different purpose and meets unique immigration needs across the country.
Tips for Future Applicants
- Keep your Express Entry profile up to date, including any new work experience, educational qualifications, or language test results
- Consider applying to a Provincial Nominee Program that aligns with your skills and background
- If you speak French, even at an intermediate level, you may gain a serious edge in specialized draws
- Watch for category-based Express Entry draws in healthcare, trades, and education — these are growing in importance
Final Thoughts
The December Express Entry draw shows no signs of slowing down, especially for PNP candidates. Whether you’re already in the pool or just starting your Canadian immigration journey, understanding these trends can help you navigate the process with more confidence.
Check out our full guide on Express Entry and how to boost your CRS score to stay competitive in future draws.
Want to know how strong your profile is? Use our free tool to assess your Express Entry eligibility and get personalized tips to improve your chances!
