On April 14, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the latest Express Entry draw and invited 825 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. This Express entry draw 342 needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 764 from candidates who were nominated by provinces.
This draw marks the highest number of PNP-specific ITAs issued in 2025 so far, despite expectations for even higher numbers due to a four-week gap since the last such draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was set for August 17, 2024, at 18:35:52 UTC.
Express Entry Draw 342 – Key Highlights
- Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Number of Invitations: 825
- Minimum CRS Score: 764
- Tie-breaking rule: August 17, 2024
This draw also comes shortly after a major change to the Express Entry system: CRS points for arranged employment are no longer awarded, effective late March 2025. Experts believe this update could significantly impact the composition and competitiveness of future draws.
Even though some people thought we’d see more invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency this time, especially since it’s been a whole month since the last draw specifically for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates – the number of invitations sent out was still quite low.
This lower number actually seems to fit with Canada’s immigration plans for 2025. They’ve said they’re aiming for fewer people to come in through the PNP pathway within the Express Entry system this year.
Summary of Express Entry draws for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
So far in 2025, only 3,658 PNP candidates have received these invitations. That’s a significant drop: about half the number compared to how many PNP candidates were invited during the same time last year in 2024.
What’s Next?
According to industry predictions, the next Express Entry draw could target Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. It sounds like people who’ve already worked in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) might be the next group in line to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
