Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its first draw of the week.
A total of 1,085 ITAs were issued in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw.
Candidates Required a Minimum CRS Score of 727
To qualify for today’s draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727.
This draw marks the third held in December. It follows a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 2 and a category-based draw on December 3, targeting candidates with French language proficiency.
In November, IRCC conducted six Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 5,507 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
A Familiar Draw Pattern
The December draws reflect a continuing trend of alternating between PNP-specific draws, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, and those targeting French language proficiency. This pattern aligns with the broader goals outlined in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–27.
The new “In-Canada” focus category within this plan aims to prioritize CEC candidates and those in other regional programs, with potential inclusion of applicants from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
By 2025, this category is expected to account for 82,980 permanent residence admissions—over 40% of all planned admissions for the year.
Summary of Recent Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,085 | 727 |
| December 3 | French language proficiency | 800 | 466 |
| December 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 676 | 705 |
| November 20 | Healthcare occupations | 3,000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 174 | 816 |
| … | … | … | … |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a system used to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
It also facilitates applications through Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in a process known as an enhanced provincial nomination.
How It Works:
Applicants are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors such as:
- Age
- Occupation
- Language Proficiency
- Education
- Work Experience
Enhanced PNP nominations add 600 CRS points, greatly increasing the chance of receiving an ITA. Additional CRS points can also be earned through:
- Having a sibling in Canada
- Applying with a spouse or partner
- Combining Canadian and foreign education/work experience
Category-Based Selections:
IRCC has introduced category-based draws targeting candidates with specific professional skills or language proficiencies that align with Canada’s labor market and demographic needs. These draws often have lower CRS cut-offs than general or program-specific draws, making them more accessible to targeted candidates.
IRCC invites Express Entry candidates in third draw of December | CIC News
