Category: GTR Immigration

Canada has recently introduced several significant measures to address labor shortages in the construction sector and adjust its immigration policies. On March 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced initiatives including a new pathway to permanent residence for construction workers, changes to the trades category in Express Entry, provisions for out-of-status construction workers, and updates aligned with the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

New Pathway to Permanent Residence for Construction Workers

The Canadian government has introduced a pathway to permanent residence specifically for construction workers, aiming to address labor shortages in the sector. This initiative reserves immigration spaces for up to 6,000 undocumented construction workers already residing in Canada. Additionally, qualified temporary foreign workers can now participate in apprenticeship programs without requiring a study permit, effective March 7, 2025. These measures are designed to attract and retain skilled workers in the construction industry.

The government’s decision to implement these changes stems from a combination of factors, including a pressing housing shortage, labor shortages in critical infrastructure projects, and external economic pressures such as tariff threats. By providing pathways for undocumented workers and supporting foreign apprentices, Canada aims to bolster its construction workforce to meet these challenges effectively.

Recent Changes to the Trades Category in Express Entry

In February 2025, IRCC announced major changes to Express Entry categories, including updates to the trades category. The trades category now focuses on specific occupations to better align with labor market needs. These adjustments aim to prioritize candidates with relevant experience and skills to address labor shortages in key sectors.

The immigration department also added 19 new occupations to the category, expanding it significantly.

Among the added occupations were several construction occupations including:

• – Construction managers;
• – Construction estimators;
• – Bricklayers;
• – Roofers and shinglers;
• – Floor covering installers; and
• – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators).

Previous Guidelines for Construction Workers Who Are Out of Status

Building on the success of previous initiatives, such as the Greater Toronto Area pilot program, IRCC has introduced a regularization pathway for out-of-status construction workers. This program offers opportunities for undocumented migrants in the construction sector to obtain legal status, allowing them to continue contributing to infrastructure projects while ensuring they receive proper protections.

2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan

The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan outlines Canada’s targets for permanent and temporary resident admissions. The plan includes a reduction in permanent resident admissions from 500,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025, with further decreases in subsequent years. This adjustment aims to address public concerns about housing affordability and strain on social services, while also ensuring that immigration levels align with Canada’s economic and infrastructure capacities.

These measures collectively reflect Canada’s efforts to adapt its immigration policies to current labor market needs, particularly in the construction sector, while also responding to public concerns about housing and social services.

Starting March 5, 2025, New Brunswick has officially opened the intake for two enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways:

1. Employment in New Brunswick Pathway: This pathway requires candidates to have at least 12 consecutive months of work experience in the province, along with increased residency requirements.
2. New Brunswick Interests Pathway:
3. • – Must have received a letter of interest from Immigration New Brunswick in their federal Express Entry profile.
   • – Must have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent part-time work experience within the past 10 years.

Both pathways are aligned with the federal Express Entry system, offering eligible newcomers a streamlined route to permanent residence in Canada.

Common Requirements for Both Pathways

• – Valid Express Entry profile.
• – English or French proficiency equivalent to at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all four language abilities.
• – Meet the federal minimum proof of funds requirement (if not exempt).
• – Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent.
• – Intent to live and work permanently in New Brunswick.
• – Age between 19 and 55.
• – Minimum of 67 points on New Brunswick’s Express Entry selection grid.

Excluded Occupations

Candidates in the following occupations are ineligible for nomination under these streams:

• – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
• – Administrative assistants (NOC 13110)
• – Bakers (NOC 63202)
• – Cooks (NOC 63200)
• – Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
• – Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030)
• – Retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 60020)
• – Retail sales supervisors (NOC 62010)

Reduced Nominations and Strategic Allocation

For 2025, New Brunswick’s provincial nomination allocation has been reduced to 2,750 nominations, down from 5,000 in the previous year. Of these, 1,500 are allocated to the NBPNP and 1,250 to the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This reduction has prompted the province to prioritize specific sectors and occupations to maximize the economic impact of its limited nominations.

Processing and Selection Process

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will not be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, candidates will be selected through scheduled draws starting in March 2025, based on their alignment with updated eligibility criteria. This approach ensures that only qualified candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

These updates reflect New Brunswick’s strategic efforts to attract skilled workers in alignment with the province’s economic needs, focusing on sectors such as health, education, and construction.

On March 3, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 725 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 667. To be eligible, candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profiles before June 5, 2024, at 6:25 pm UTC.

This draw is part of a series of Express Entry draws in 2025, reflecting IRCC’s efforts to address Canada’s economic and demographic needs. Below is a summary of the draws conducted so far this year:

Date	Draw Type	Number of ITAs	Cut-off CRS score
March 3	Provincial Nominee Program	725	667
February 19	French language proficiency	6,500	428
February 17	Provincial Nominee Program	646	750
February 5	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	521
February 4	Provincial Nominee Program	455	802
January 23	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	527
January 8	Canadian Experience Class	1,350	542
January 7	Provincial Nominee Program	471	793

Notably, the February 19 draw focused on candidates with French language proficiency, issuing 6,500 ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 428. This was the first category-based selection draw of 2025, highlighting IRCC’s commitment to linguistic diversity and addressing specific labor market needs.

The CRS scores have varied across different draw types, reflecting the targeted approach of IRCC in selecting candidates who meet specific criteria, such as provincial nominations, Canadian work experience, or language proficiency. Candidates aiming to improve their CRS scores can consider strategies like obtaining a provincial nomination, enhancing language test results, gaining additional work experience, or pursuing further education.

These developments underscore Canada’s dynamic immigration landscape, with IRCC adapting its selection processes to align with the country’s evolving economic priorities and demographic goals.

As of January 24, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) has restricted its Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) to foreign workers in the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors. This change aims to address increased demand for immigration and a reduction in federal allocations for permanent residency spots. In 2025, the federal government reduced AIP allocations across Atlantic provinces to 5,000 spots, down from 6,500 in 2024, as outlined in Canada’s 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan.

Eligibility for the AIP

To qualify for the AIP, applicants must:

• – Possess a job offer from a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
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• – Have their job offer endorsed by the province.
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• – Hold at least a one-year post-secondary credential for NOC TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or a high school diploma for NOC TEER 2, 3, or 4 occupations.
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• – Demonstrate language proficiency of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations, or CLB 4 for TEER 4 occupations.
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• – Have a minimum of one year of work experience, or have completed a two-year post-secondary credential while studying in an Atlantic province.
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• – Possess sufficient settlement funds, determined by family size.

Application Process for PR through the AIP

Eligible candidates should:

1. Obtain a settlement plan.

2. Secure endorsement of their job offer by the province.

3. Apply to the federal government for permanent residency.

The employer typically manages the job offer endorsement process. Given the recent sector restrictions, individuals outside the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing industries must explore alternative PR pathways.

Alternative Permanent Residency Pathways

For those not eligible under the current AIP criteria, alternative pathways include:

• Express Entry: A federal system managing applications for permanent residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates are ranked based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. A higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score increases the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

• PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): This program offers various streams, including:

  • – Critical Worker Stream: For workers in NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupations.

  • – Intermediate Experience Stream: For workers in NOC TEER 4 occupations.

•     – International Graduate Stream: For graduates from PEI post-secondary institutions.
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•     – Skilled Worker Stream: For workers in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
•  
•     – Occupations in Demand Stream: For specific occupations such as nurse aides, transport truck drivers, construction laborers, and others.

Each stream has specific requirements related to job offers, work experience, education, language proficiency, and settlement funds.

The PEI Office of Immigration implemented these sector-specific limitations due to increased demand for the AIP and a reduction in immigration allocations by the federal government. The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan indicates a decrease in AIP spots from 6,500 in 2024 to 5,000 in 2025. Consequently, PEI aims to allocate its AIP spots to sectors experiencing the most significant labor shortages. Other Atlantic provinces have enacted similar measures; for instance, New Brunswick now endorses AIP job offers exclusively in the healthcare, education, and construction sectors.

These adjustments underscore PEI’s commitment to addressing critical labor market needs while adapting to evolving immigration policies.

On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled significant updates to the Express Entry system, introducing new categories and refining existing ones to better align with the nation’s evolving labor market needs.

Introduction of the Education Category

A notable addition is the new Education category, which includes five specific occupations.

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants	43100	3
Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203	2
Early childhood educators and assistants	42202	2
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	41221	1
Secondary school teachers	41220	1

Other Changes to Express Entry Categories

In addition to introducing the Education category, IRCC has made the following adjustments:

Removal of the Transport Category: This category has been eliminated from the category-based draws.

Expansion of the Healthcare Category: Several social services occupations have been incorporated into the existing Healthcare category to better address the demand in this sector.

The current Express Entry categories are:

• – French-language proficiency
• – Healthcare and Social service occupations
• – Agriculture and agri-food occupations
• – Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations
• – Trades occupations
• – Education occupations

However, for 2025, IRCC has prioritized the following categories:

• – French-language proficiency
• – Healthcare and Social service occupations
• – Trades occupations

Occupations have been added to the Healthcare and social services category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians	32104	2
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists	32123	2
Dental hygienists and dental therapists	32111	2
Other medical technologists and technicians	32129	2
Pharmacists	31120	1
Pharmacy technicians	32124	2
Social and community service workers	42201	2
Social workers	41300	1

Occupations have been removed from the Healthcare and social services category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Educational counsellors	41320	1
Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203	2
Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment	31204	1
Other assisting occupations in support of health services	33109	3
Other practitioners of natural healing	32209	2
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists	32200	2

Occupations have been added to the STEM category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Civil engineering technologists and technicians	22300	2
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	22310	2
Geological Engineers	21331	1
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	22301	2
Mechanical Engineers	21301	1
Insurance agents and brokers	63100	3

Occupations have been removed from the STEM category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Architects	21200	1
Business systems specialists	21221	1
Computer and information systems managers	20012	0
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)	21311	1
Computer systems developers and programmers	21230	1
Data scientists	21211	1
Database analysts and data administrators	21223	1
Engineering managers	20010	0
Information systems specialists	21222	1
Land surveyors	21203	1
Landscape Architects	21201	1
Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries	21210	1
Metallurgical and materials engineers	21322	1
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers	41400	1
Software developers and programmers	21232	1
Software engineers and designers	21231	1
Urban and land use planners	21202	1
Web designers	21233	1
Web developers and programmers	21234	1

Occupations have been added to the Trade category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services	82021	2
Floor covering installers	73113	3
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)	73112	3
Roofers and shinglers	73110	3
Concrete finishers	73100	3
Other technical trades and related occupations	72999	2
Water well drillers	72501	2
Electrical mechanics	72422	2
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	72401	2
Bricklayers	72320	2
Cabinetmakers	72311	2
Gas fitters	72302	2
Industrial electricians	72201	2
Sheet metal workers	72102	2
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors	72100	2
Home building and renovation managers	70011	0
Construction managers	70010	0
Cooks	63200	3
Construction estimators	22303	2

Occupations have been removed from the Trade category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Residential and commercial installers and servicers	73200	3
Elevator constructors and mechanics	72406	2
Machine fitters	72405	2
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers	72014	2

Occupations have been added to the Agriculture and agri-food category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services	82031	2
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors	82030	2

Determination of Express Entry Categories

Express Entry categories are established by the Minister of Immigration based on various factors, including:

• – Labor market information and projections
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• – Input from partners, such as provinces and territories

• – Stakeholder feedback across the country

These categories are designed to meet identified economic goals and are reviewed regularly to ensure they align with Canada’s current labor market needs.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, set to launch on March 31, 2025. These pilots aim to provide a streamlined pathway to permanent residence for qualified home care workers, addressing the nation’s growing demand for caregivers.

Streams of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

1. Workers in Canada: This stream is for caregivers currently residing and working in Canada. Applications for this group will be accepted starting March 31, 2025.

2. Applicants Not Working in Canada: This stream targets individuals outside Canada or those not currently employed in the country. The application intake for this group will open at a later date, which is yet to be announced.

Eligibility Criteria for the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French.

Education: A Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign credential is required.

• Work Experience or Training: Candidates need at least six months of recent, relevant work experience or must have completed a home care training program of at least six months.

• Job Offer: A full-time job offer in the home care sector is necessary. Eligible employers include private households and organizations that directly hire full-time home care workers, such as home health care service providers and personal care services in residential settings. Recruitment or placement agencies are not eligible employers. Notably, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not required for these job offers.

Additional Provisions

• Out-of-Status Workers in Canada: Home care workers currently in Canada without valid status may still be eligible to apply under a public policy, with a limited number of spots available.

• Previous Applicants: Individuals who applied to the now-closed Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot before June 17, 2024, and have since gained the required work experience, can submit proof to IRCC to have their permanent residence applications considered.

These new pilots replace the previous Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, which concluded on June 17, 2024. Applications submitted before this date under the former pilots will continue to be processed.

Newfoundland and Labrador have recently overhauled their immigration application process by introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This change, effective February 19, 2025, aims to better align immigration with the province’s labor market needs.

In addition to this procedural shift, Newfoundland and Labrador have successfully negotiated an increase of 1,000 nominations for their 2025 Provincial Nominee Program, bringing the total to 2,525 nominations for the year. This development underscores the province’s commitment to attracting skilled immigrants to bolster its workforce.

Understanding the New EOI System

The EOI system replaces the previous first-come, first-served approach with a more strategic two-step process:

1. Submission of an Expression of Interest: Prospective immigrants submit a concise form detailing their occupation, education, language proficiency, and intent to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.
2. Invitation to Apply: The province reviews these EOIs and invites candidates who best meet current labor market demands to submit a full application for either the NLPNP or AIP.

This method allows the province to prioritize applicants with skills in high-demand sectors, such as healthcare and education.

Impact on Existing Applications

Applicants who submitted their applications before the EOI system’s implementation will have their submissions reviewed individually. Some may advance directly to the application stage, while others might be returned to the EOI pool for reassessment. The province will communicate directly with these applicants regarding their status.

Updates to the NLPNP

In addition to the EOI system, Newfoundland and Labrador have made other significant adjustments to their immigration programs:

• Increased Nomination Allocations: The province successfully negotiated an increase of 1,000 nominations for 2025, bringing the total to 2,525. This includes maintaining 475 spaces under the AIP.
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• Temporary Pause on Application Intake: To facilitate the transition to the new EOI model and develop tools for streamlined processing, the province temporarily paused the intake of new applications and job vacancy assessments until mid-February 2025.
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These changes reflect Newfoundland and Labrador’s proactive approach to refining their immigration strategies, ensuring that the selection process aligns with the province’s economic needs and effectively addresses critical labor shortages.

The Canadian Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program is a federal immigration initiative designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs from around the world to establish their businesses in Canada, excluding Quebec. Launched in 2013 and made permanent in 2018, the program aims to foster innovation, create jobs for Canadians, and position Canada as a global leader in the start-up ecosystem.

Key Features of the Canadian Start-Up Visa Program

1. Eligibility Criteria: 

• Support from a Designated Organization: Applicants must secure a commitment from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. This involves obtaining a Letter of Support, which demonstrates that the start-up has been accepted into a recognized program or has received investment.
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• Ownership Requirements: Each founder must hold at least 10% of the voting rights in the business, and together with the designated organization, they must control more than 50% of the voting rights.
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• Active Management: The business’s core operations must be conducted in Canada, and the applicant(s) should actively manage the company.
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• Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 in English or French is required, ensuring entrepreneurs can effectively communicate in the Canadian business environment.
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• Settlement Funds: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their families upon arrival in Canada.

2. Application Process:

Pitching the Business Idea: Entrepreneurs present their innovative business concepts to designated organizations to secure support.

Obtaining a Letter of Support: Upon approval, the organization provides a Letter of Support, a crucial document for the visa application.

Permanent Residency Application: With the Letter of Support, applicants can apply for permanent residence. Processing times vary, but successful candidates and their families can relocate to Canada and obtain permanent residency.

3. Recent Updates:

Application Caps: As of April 2024, each designated organization can submit a maximum of 10 start-up applications annually. This measure aims to manage application volumes and maintain program integrity.

Processing Times: Efforts are underway to reduce backlogs and improve processing times, ensuring entrepreneurs can commence their business activities in Canada promptly.

Canada’s Thriving Start-Up Ecosystem

Canada offers a robust environment for start-ups, characterized by a diverse and skilled workforce, access to global markets, and strong government support. Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are renowned for their vibrant start-up communities, providing entrepreneurs with ample resources, networking opportunities, and potential funding avenues. In 2023, Canadian venture capital investments reached approximately CAD $6.9 billion across 660 deals, reflecting strong investor confidence in the country’s start-up landscape.

What Candidates Should Know:

• Innovative Business Focus: The SUV Program targets businesses that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale. Applicants should ensure their business ideas align with these objectives.
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• Thorough Preparation: A well-developed business plan, market research, and a clear understanding of the Canadian market are essential. Engaging with local mentors or industry experts can provide valuable insights.
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• Financial Readiness: While direct investment from the entrepreneur isn’t mandatory, having access to sufficient funds to support personal and business needs during the initial stages is crucial.
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• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and adhering to Canadian business regulations, including incorporation processes, tax obligations, and employment standards, is vital for successful integration and operation.

The Canadian Start-Up Visa Program presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses in a supportive and dynamic environment, contributing to Canada’s economic growth and innovation landscape.

As of February 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers several pathways to permanent residence for eligible candidates. These pathways are designed to attract skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs to contribute to Ontario’s economy. The main categories and their respective streams include:

Employer Job Offer Category:

Foreign Worker Stream: For skilled workers with a valid job offer in a skilled occupation from an Ontario employer.

• International Student Stream: For recent graduates from eligible Ontario institutions with a valid job offer.
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• In-Demand Skills Stream: For workers in specific sectors such as agriculture, construction, trucking, and personal support work, with a valid job offer in an in-demand occupation.

Human Capital Category:

• International Graduates:
• • – Masters Graduate Stream: For individuals with a master’s degree from an eligible Ontario university.
  • – PhD Graduate Stream: For individuals with a PhD degree from an eligible Ontario university.
  •  
• Ontario’s Express Entry:
  • – Human Capital Priorities Stream: For skilled workers with the required work experience, education, and language proficiency in English or French.
  •  
  • – French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream: For French-speaking skilled workers with strong English language abilities.
  •  
  • – Skilled Trades Stream: For workers with work experience in Ontario in an eligible skilled trade occupation.

Business Category:

• Entrepreneur Stream: For individuals seeking to establish a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario.

In addition to these established streams, Ontario launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot on January 22, 2025. This one-year pilot aims to address labor shortages in specific communities by allocating 200 nominations to each participating region: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. Applicants with job offers from employers in these communities can apply through the standard OINP Employer Job Offer streams and may be eligible for targeted draws under the REDI pilot.

To be eligible for these streams, candidates must meet specific criteria, including having a valid job offer from an Ontario employer, relevant work experience, and, in some cases, specific educational qualifications. For instance, the Master’s and PhD Graduate streams require candidates to have completed their respective degrees at an Ontario institution.

On February 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry draw #336, issuing 646 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 750.

This draw marks an increase in the number of ITAs compared to previous PNP-specific draws in 2025. For instance, the February 4 draw issued 455 ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 802, and the January 7 draw issued 471 ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 793. The decrease in CRS scores over these draws suggests a slight decline in competitiveness among PNP candidates or an increase in the number of nominations issued.

In 2025, IRCC has been focusing Express Entry draws on PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Notably, there has been an absence of category-based draws for French speakers, healthcare workers, and tradespeople, despite these groups being designated as priority categories in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

Express Entry draws in 2025

Date	Draw Type	No. of ITAs	Cut-off CRS score
February 17	Provincial Nominee Program	646	750
February 5	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	521
February 4	Provincial Nominee Program	455	802
January 23	Canadian Experience Class	4,000	527
January 8	Canadian Experience Class	1,350	542
January 7	Provincial Nominee Program	471	793

This strategic focus on PNP candidates aligns with Canada’s commitment to addressing specific regional labor market needs, allowing provinces and territories to nominate individuals who can contribute effectively to their local economies.

Overall, IRCC has issued a total of 11,601 ITAs in February 2025 alone, reflecting its commitment to meeting immigration targets for the year.