This Week in Canadian Immigration: Deeper Dive into Express Entry Draws, PGP Opening, and PNP News
- Gagandeep Singh
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
Welcome to your weekly briefing on Canadian immigration. This week was packed with significant events, from highly specific Express Entry draws to major announcements for family sponsorship and provincial programs. Let's take a deeper dive into what happened and what it means for your immigration journey.
Express Entry: A Tale of Two Targeted Draws
IRCC continued its targeted approach this week, holding two distinct draws that underscore the government's strategy of using Express Entry to fill specific labour market gaps and support provincial priorities.
July 22: Major Draw for Healthcare & Social Services Occupations
In a clear and decisive move to bolster Canada's healthcare system, IRCC issued 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a category-based draw targeting healthcare and social services professionals. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 475.
What this means: This was a significant draw, and a CRS of 475 is considerably more accessible than the scores seen in recent general draws. It signals a huge opportunity for candidates with experience in eligible occupations. If you work in this sector, now is the time to ensure you have an active and accurate Express Entry profile.
Some of the targeted occupations (NOC codes) include:
Physicians (Specialists, General Practitioners, and Family Physicians)
Registered Nurses (NOC 31301) and Nurse Practitioners
Dentists (NOC 31110)
Optometrists (NOC 31111)
Physiotherapists (NOC 31202) and Occupational Therapists (NOC 31203)
Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 32120)
Psychologists (NOC 31200)
Social Workers (NOC 41300)
July 21: Niche Draw for Provincial Nominees
Just a day earlier, IRCC held a draw exclusively for candidates who had already received a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This draw saw 202 invitations issued to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 788.
Why the high score? Don't be alarmed by the 788 CRS score. A provincial nomination automatically adds 600 points to a candidate's base score. This means that candidates only needed a base score of 188 to be invited in this round, making the PNP an invaluable pathway for those with lower initial scores but who possess skills needed by a specific province.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Updates: Activity in the West
Provinces were also active this week. While many are nearing their annual nomination quotas, some continue to hold regular draws targeting key sectors.
British Columbia (BC PNP): On July 23, British Columbia held its own PNP draw, issuing over 150 invitations. The draw targeted candidates in high-demand occupations, including:
Tech Occupations
Healthcare Workers
Childcare Professionals (Early Childhood Educators and Assistants)
This draw from BC reinforces the trend of provinces using their nomination power to address critical local labour shortages.
Business Immigration & Start-up Visa: A Focus on Quality
The recent adjustments to the Start-up Visa (SUV) program are now taking full effect, aiming to reduce backlogs and attract high-impact businesses. The changes, including three-year open work permits and a cap of 10 applications per designated organization, are designed to shift the program's focus from quantity to quality. Prioritizing applications with committed capital funding or those demonstrating exceptional potential will hopefully shorten the notoriously long processing times and strengthen Canada's innovation ecosystem.
Other Major Immigration News: A Detailed Look
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2025 Intake Imminent
This is the news many families have been waiting for. IRCC confirmed the 2025 PGP intake will open in late July. They will be sending invitations to apply to a randomly selected pool of potential sponsors who submitted an "Interest to Sponsor" form back in 2020.
Action Required: If you submitted a form in 2020, you must vigilantly monitor the email address you used at that time. Be sure to check your junk and spam folders. The PGP is highly competitive, and receiving an invitation is the crucial first step.
Canada's New Immigration Levels Plan: Managing Growth
IRCC has shed more light on its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. The most groundbreaking element is the introduction of targets for temporary residents. The goal is to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada's total population by the end of 2026. This is not about stopping temporary immigration but about creating a more sustainable balance between welcoming newcomers and ensuring Canada has the housing, healthcare, and infrastructure to support them. The focus will increasingly be on creating clear pathways for temporary residents already in Canada to transition to permanent status.
International Experience Canada (IEC): Over 1,700 young people received invitations to work in Canada in the latest IEC draws, continuing to provide a vital cultural and economic exchange.
What to Expect in the Coming Week
PGP Invitations: We expect the first invitations for the PGP 2025 to be sent out any day now.
Another Express Entry Draw: With a category-based and a PNP draw completed this week, IRCC may hold a "general" (all-program) draw to address the broader pool of candidates. Alternatively, a draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) could be on the table to support the goal of transitioning in-Canada talent to PR.
Immigration Tip of the Week
Go Beyond the Surface of Your NOC Code. With category-based draws dominating the landscape, simply having a profile is not enough. You need to be precise.
Audit Your Experience: Carefully review the lead statements and main duties listed under the specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes being targeted. Does your role as an "IT administrator" align perfectly with a targeted NOC like "Information systems specialists" (NOC 21222)?
Use Precise Language: When describing your work experience in your profile, use language that mirrors the official NOC descriptions. This helps ensure that your profile is correctly identified by the Express Entry system for category-based selection. Precision can make all the difference.
Let's Build Your Strategy Together
The details matter in Canadian immigration. A small adjustment to your profile or a strategic provincial application can completely change your prospects. For expert guidance tailored to your unique situation, I encourage you to book a one-on-one consultation.
For more information and to book a consultation, please visit www.elginimmigration.com.
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