Canada has launched March 2025 with a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry draw, continuing the trend of targeting provincial nominees. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 725 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the March 3, 2025, draw, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 667.
Key Details of the March 3, 2025, Express Entry Draw
- Type of Draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Invitations Issued: 725
- Minimum CRS Score: 667
- Tie-Breaking Rule: June 5, 2024, at 6:25 PM UTC
This draw follows an active February, where over 11,000 ITAs were issued across multiple draws, including French-language proficiency, PNP, and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) categories. Notably, 2025 has primarily seen PNP and CEC-specific draws, with only one category-based selection draw so far.
Understanding the Express Entry System and PNP Pathway
Express Entry is Canada’s application management system for economic immigration programs, streamlining the process for eligible candidates. Those ranked highly in the system receive an ITA, enabling them to apply for permanent residence. Once an application is submitted, IRCC generally processes it within six months—significantly faster than other immigration streams, such as family sponsorship, which currently takes around 24 months.
The Provincial Nominee Program allows Canadian provinces to nominate skilled individuals who meet regional labor market needs. Candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA in an Express Entry draw.
Documents Required When Applying for Permanent Residence
Candidates who receive an ITA must submit specific documents to complete their permanent residence application. These include:
Mandatory Documents:
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Language test results
- Proof of work experience
- Police clearance certificates (for places of residence exceeding six months since age 18)
- Immigration Medical Exam receipt (if applicable)
- Regulation-sized photographs of the applicant and accompanying family members
Additional Documents (Depending on Eligibility & Profile):
- Canadian education credential or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees
- Attestation letters or official transcripts from post-secondary institutions
- Job offer letters from Canadian employers
- Proof of family ties in Canada
- Proof of settlement funds
- Legal documents for name or birthdate changes
- Marriage, divorce, annulment, or death certificates (as applicable)
- Adoption papers (if relevant)
- Certified copies of a qualification certificate in a skilled trade (if applicable)
- Work contracts, pay stubs, and income tax documents (if required)
Submitting a complete and accurate application is crucial to avoid delays or refusals in the PR process.
What’s Next for Express Entry in 2025?
With IRCC focusing heavily on PNP and CEC draws, the trend may continue throughout the year. While category-based selection draws have been limited so far in 2025, it remains to be seen how the selection strategy will evolve in the coming months.
For the latest updates on Canadian immigration policies and Express Entry trends, stay tuned to The Canada Time.
