Canada Immigration Weekly Recap: Healthcare and PNP Draws Dominate a Busy Week
- Gagandeep Singh
- Aug 24
- 3 min read
Your Weekly Guide to the Latest in Canadian Immigration
For aspiring newcomers and those already on their Canadian journey, staying informed is key. This past week in Canadian immigration has been eventful, with significant developments in Express Entry, provincial nominee programs, and language testing requirements. As a registered Canadian immigration consultant, I'm here to break down the most important news and what it means for you.
Express Entry: Back-to-Back Draws Target Specific Skills
It was a busy week for Express Entry, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducting two targeted draws, issuing a total of 2,692 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. This continues the trend of category-based selections, focusing on candidates who can fill specific labour market needs.
August 19, 2025: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations Draw
Invitations Issued: 2,500
CRS Score Cut-Off: 470
Details: This draw targeted candidates in healthcare and social services occupations. The tie-breaking rule was April 23, 2025, at 20:08:53 UTC. This is positive news for professionals in these in-demand sectors, demonstrating the government's commitment to strengthening Canada's healthcare system.
August 18, 2025: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw
Invitations Issued: 192
CRS Score Cut-Off: 800
Details: This draw was exclusively for candidates who had already received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory. The high CRS score reflects the 600-point bonus these candidates receive for their provincial nomination.
These back-to-back draws highlight a dual focus: addressing critical labour shortages in sectors like healthcare while also supporting regional immigration through the Provincial Nominee Programs.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Updates
The provinces have also been active in selecting candidates to meet their regional economic needs. Here are some of the key updates:
Alberta: The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held its largest draw of the year in the week leading up to our reporting period, issuing 581 invitations through the Alberta Opportunity Stream. The province also held draws for healthcare professionals through its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway.
Prince Edward Island: The PEI Office of Immigration continues to prioritize skilled workers in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, trades, and manufacturing.
It is crucial for prospective immigrants to research the specific streams and requirements of each province to maximize their chances of receiving a nomination.
Business Immigration and Start-Up Visa Program
There were no major announcements this week regarding the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program or other federal business immigration streams. However, entrepreneurs should continue to monitor IRCC's official channels for any updates.
Other Key Immigration News
New English Test Accepted: In a significant development, IRCC announced that it will begin accepting the TOEFL Essentials test for permanent residence applications. This provides applicants with another option to demonstrate their English language proficiency, adding flexibility to the immigration process.
Focus on Francophone Immigration: The federal government continues to emphasize its commitment to Francophone immigration, with a new target to admit 12 per cent of permanent residents outside Quebec as French-speakers by 2029.
What to Expect in the Coming Week
Given the recent pattern of draws, it's possible we may see another category-based Express Entry draw in the coming week. With the continued focus on specific sectors, candidates in STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture should ensure their Express Entry profiles are up-to-date. As always, the best way to stay prepared is to have a complete and accurate profile in the Express Entry pool.
Interesting Immigration Tip
Did you know? Canada has one of the highest naturalization rates in the world. As of 2021, about 80% of eligible immigrants had become Canadian citizens. This reflects Canada's welcoming nature and the successful integration of newcomers into Canadian society.
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