Canada’s Express Entry Draw on April 28, 2025: PNP Focus and 2025 Invitation Trends
On April 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its second Express Entry draw of the month, issuing 421 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR) through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific round. This blog dives into the details of the April 28 draw, updates on PNP draws as of April 29, 2025, and the total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2025, highlighting Canada’s strategic immigration priorities under the Liberal Party’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
April 28, 2025: Express Entry Draw Details
The Express Entry draw on April 28, 2025, targeted candidates with provincial nominations, a group that automatically receives an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, propelling them to the top of the candidate pool. Here are the key details:
Number of ITAs: 421
CRS Cutoff Score: 727
Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Tie-Breaking Rule: Candidates with a CRS score of 727 or higher who submitted their Express Entry profile before September 9, 2024, at 17:11:19 UTC were prioritized.
This draw reflects Canada’s ongoing emphasis on PNP candidates, who are selected by provinces and territories to meet specific regional labor market needs. For example, a nurse nominated by Alberta or a software developer chosen by Ontario would benefit from the 600-point boost, making their CRS score competitive even with a modest base score (e.g., 127 + 600 = 727). The relatively low number of ITAs (421) compared to the previous PNP draw on April 14 (825 ITAs, CRS 764) suggests a tightening of invitations, possibly due to reduced PNP nomination quotas under the 2025 Immigration Levels Plan.
PNP Draws on April 29, 2025
As of April 29, 2025, no Express Entry PNP draws were reported for the day. Express Entry draws typically occur approximately every two weeks, and the April 28 draw was the most recent. However, provincial nominee programs operate independently, and provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick often conduct their own draws for Express Entry-aligned PNP streams. For instance:
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): On April 15, 2025, Ontario issued 1,649 invitations under its Human Capital Priorities Stream, targeting Express Entry candidates with CRS scores between 350 and 424 in healthcare and tech occupations. While not a federal Express Entry draw, these candidates, if nominated, would gain 600 CRS points for future federal draws.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP): On April 15, 2025, BC issued targeted invitations to apply for nomination under its Skills Immigration streams, focusing on tech, healthcare, and childcare occupations. Specific invitation numbers were not publicly disclosed, but candidates needed active Express Entry profiles to be eligible.
No specific PNP draw data for April 29 was available, as provincial draws are announced intermittently and not always aligned with federal Express Entry schedules
Total Express Entry Invitations in 2025
As of April 28, 2025, IRCC has issued 31,929 ITAs through Express Entry draws in 2025, aligning with Canada’s goal to welcome 124,680 new permanent residents via Express Entry under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Below is a breakdown of key draws in 2025, based on available data:
January 7: 471 ITAs, PNP draw, CRS 793
February 19: 6,500 ITAs, French Language Proficiency draw, CRS 428
March 6: 4,000+ ITAs, French Language Proficiency draw (exact number unspecified)
March 17: 536 ITAs, PNP draw, CRS 736
March 21: 7,500 ITAs, French Language Proficiency draw, CRS 379
April 14: 825 ITAs, PNP draw, CRS 764
April 28: 421 ITAs, PNP draw, CRS 727
The total of 31,929, indicates a competitive pool of 246,673 candidates as of April 28, 2025, with 20,708 candidates scoring between 501–600 and 72,523 between 451–500. The high CRS cutoffs for PNP draws (e.g., 727–793) reflect the 600-point advantage, while French-language proficiency draws have lower cutoffs (e.g., 379–428) due to targeted economic priorities.
The focus on PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and French-language proficiency candidates aligns with the Liberal Party’s immigration policy, emphasizing regional economic growth, in-Canada transitions, and Francophone immigration outside Quebec. Notably, no general or CEC-specific draws have occurred in April 2025, leaving many temporary residents awaiting invitations.
What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates?
For candidates in the Express Entry pool, the April 28 draw highlights the value of securing a provincial nomination, which virtually guarantees an ITA due to the 600-point boost. To improve chances:
Pursue PNP Streams: Research provincial programs like OINP, BC PNP, or Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, focusing on in-demand occupations.
Enhance Language Scores: Higher CLB levels (e.g., CLB 10) can add significant CRS points.
Gain Canadian Experience: Work experience in Canada boosts eligibility for CEC and certain PNP streams.
Monitor French Proficiency Draws: Candidates with strong French skills may benefit from lower CRS cutoffs in upcoming draws.
The next Express Entry draw is expected around mid-May 2025, potentially targeting CEC or category-based selections, given the lack of such draws in April. Analysts predict CEC cutoffs could drop to 490–500 by summer if IRCC increases in-Canada-focused draws
