Canada Holds Third Express Entry Draw of March, Inviting PNP Candidates
Canada conducted its third Express Entry draw of March 2025, issuing 1,975 invitations to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Canada conducted its third Express Entry draw of March 2025, issuing 1,975 invitations to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 676 points.
Express Entry Draw Details
Date of Draw: March 2025
Number of Invitations Issued: 1,975
Minimum CRS Score: 676
Program: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination automatically gain 600 additional CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Recent Express Entry Draws in March 2025
This marks the third draw of the month, following two previous draws:
March 12, 2025: ITA issued: 2,850, CRS cut-off 525 (general draw).
March 13, 2025: ITA issued: 975, CRS cut-off 430 (French-speaking candidates).
The trend suggests that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is conducting more frequent draws with varied eligibility criteria.
PNP and Express Entry Integration
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate candidates based on their skills and job market needs. There are two types of PNP nominations:
Base nominations: Independent of Express Entry, requiring a separate permanent residency application.
Provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan actively invite candidates with in-demand skills.
Canada’s 2025 Immigration Plan
Canada aims to welcome 110,770 permanent residents through Express Entry in 2025. The government’s focus is on skilled labor to support economic growth and address labor shortages.IRCC has also introduced category-based selection draws, targeting:
Healthcare professionals
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) candidates
Skilled trades workers
Transport sector workers
Agriculture and agri-food professionals
French-speaking applicants
This strategy ensures Canada attracts immigrants who align with its economic needs.
What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates?
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must submit a complete application for permanent residency within 60 days. Those who haven’t received an invitation should improve their CRS scores by:
Enhancing language test results (IELTS/CELPIP for English, TEF/TCF for French).
Gaining more skilled work experience.
Obtaining a provincial nomination for an additional 600 CRS points.
Completing higher education in Canada for additional points.
With more targeted draws expected in 2025, Express Entry remains one of the fastest pathways for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada.
